RIP: Mercury Cafe Closes Doors due to 'Economic Times'
P.S. We'll Miss You
By David Shuey, October 9, 2009
My Spidey sense must be off. I biked by Mercury Cafe this week after-hours, half-glanced through their large Chicago Avenue windows, and didn't notice anything amiss. I'm sure the thought passed me, as it sometimes does, "Good 'ol Mercury Cafe. I should stop by more often. I'm glad to see them open and burgeoning during this shitty economy." *
How wrong I was.
Minutes ago, after glancing at an email thread from Chicago Indy Media discussing where to host their next meeting, Mitchell Szczepanczyk broke the news: They're closed. My caffeinated heart sank. Indeed, on their website, the owners confirm the fact:
IT IS TRUE --- MERCURY CAFE IS CLOSING IT'S DOORS BY OCTOBER 4TH.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR ALL YOUR SUPPORT. UNFORTUNATELY THE ECONOMIC TIMES PROVED TO BE A BIT TOO MUCH.
C6C has met there since our inception. At our last Chicago 6 Corners planning meeting there this summer, the place was humming more than ever. And as the Mercury Cafe owners said in the above post, it was a great place for groups to connect: "It was nice to see that everyone from books clubs to knitting clubs to Muslim/Jewish open mic to feminist meet ups could find the place comfortable enough for themselves."
I'm sad. So many memories are there. You could always get a table or couch. Internet was free. Refills were cheap. The sandwiches were to die for. The art was authentic, local, and plentiful. (I have some photos of their Bike Art display I should find and post.)
And it really seemed like more and more people were going there. Like they made it over the hump. Guess not.
Apologies that there's no real reporting on this, beyond the fact you can't go there anymore. And the obligatory/obvious opinion: It sucks. If you have anything to add, please put it on the comments section, or write one of our editors and we'll post it. Also, if anyone is in contact with the owners or one of the charming baristas, and wants to write something up, we'll be happy to share.
Photos of stuff you can buy and a list of other West Town coffee ships after the jump:
Contact the owners (chiMercuryCafe AT gmail.com) if you want to buy any cafe stuff for "super cheap":
Local coffee shops recommended by Mercury Cafe:
Swim Cafe
Sip Coffee House & Garden
Atomix
Star Lounge
Ritz Cafe
KnockBox Cafe
* And do I often feels waves of optimism and wistful hope when passing by seemingly successful, homegrown businesses? Yes, I really think such things. Sigh. I hope I keep doing so.
This totally blows ... loved that place! Where else is there a coffee shop with huge amounts of space, great art sans pretense and a cool crowd.
Posted by: Adeline | October 09, 2009 at 06:21 PM
Stunning news! What a disappointment. Maybe the neighborhood should turn it into a cooperative cafe!
Posted by: scarlett | October 13, 2009 at 11:17 AM
Shoot!
Posted by: Lee | October 15, 2009 at 12:53 PM