New coffee shop coming to Arlington Park Metra station

A new coffee shop will be coming to the Arlington Park Metra station, but it will be familiar to frequent commuters around the suburbs.

Morning Blend, which has locations at the Metra stations in Mount Prospect, Villa Park, Highland Park and Northbrook, will soon open at the Arlington Park station, according to Arlington Heights village documents.

The village board last week approved a lease with the company, which was the only entry after a public request for proposals for a new coffee retailer at the train station. Under the lease, Morning Blend will pay the village $200 per month for the first year with a 5 percent increase for each subsequent year of the five-year agreement.

The rent is cheaper than what the former tenant, Java Depot, was paying for the space before it closed. In 2010 Java Depot requested a rent reduction because of the economic downturn and had its rent changed to $400 per month for the 261-square-foot space.

Morning Blend is expected to open within 90 days. According to the lease, Morning Blend must be open at least from 5:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday. At its other locations, Morning Blend offers hot and cold beverages, bagels and other bakery items.

According to the staff report, the village received three proposals from coffee shops for the downtown Arlington Heights Metra station. The 350-square-foot space at that train station was formerly occupied by a satellite location of Biggby’s Coffee, which closed earlier this year.