Build Coffee is a coffee shop and bookstore in the Experimental Station on the South Side of Chicago. Surrounded by community-driven non-profits and civic journalism projects, Build is designed as a hub of great coffee and radical collaboration.
We act as a small venue for performances, workshops, gallery shows, book groups, game nights, and more. We sell used books, local small press publications, journals, comics, art books, and zines.
We also run the Build Coffee Meal-Based Residency Program, a gallery show and residency aiming to nourish and sustain local art and artists.
Build Coffee is located at: 6100 South Blackstone Ave
Chicago, IL 60637 We’re in the Experimental Station, a non-profit working to build independent cultural infrastructure on the South Side of Chicago. Our neighbors within the two-story brick building include bike shop/mentoring program Blackstone Bicycle Works and some of the most exciting journalism projects in the city: the Invisible Institute and the South Side Weekly.
We also share the building with the 61st St. Farmers Market, a year-round market with fresh food from local and regional farms.
We have Build Coffee pins, crewnecks, and gift cards available in our online shop!
Our bookshop features carefully curated used books and new stock from local presses and indie publishers. If you’re an artist or small press and would like to get your books/zines/comics/chapbooks on our shelves, check out our consignment form and get in touch at books@buildcoffee.org. We also gratefully accept book donations!
We also sell books online through Bookshop.org, an alternative to Amazon dedicated to supporting independent bookstore. Just about any book currently in print is available through their site, and we keep a portion of any purchase made through our shop link!
We serve coffee from Counter Culture Coffee, one of the leading voices in ethical, environmentally conscious sourcing and roasting. Like we do, they think coffee should be thoughtfully sourced, roasted and brewed with love and skill, and served without pretension.
Our pastries and sandwich loaves are from Publican Quality Bread, which features local grains and award-winning, naturally leavened loaves. Whole boules and baguettes are available Saturdays!
Build Coffee offers hot beverage & pastry catering for groups from 20 to 200. Order at bit.ly/BuildCatering
Build Coffee acts as a small venue for performances, workshops, gallery shows, book groups, game nights, and more. Interested in hosting with us? The shop is available to rent for public and private events. We have an accessibility guide to our space at bit.ly/BuildAccessibility. Find answers to your other questions & submit an inquiry here.
There are no upcoming events at this time. Check back soon!
We’d love to hear from you. To get in touch, email info@buildcoffee.org or fill out the contact form below.