Barrington commuters can still get 1st cup of joe

Commuters in Barrington will be able to get their morning wake-up call for at least another five years.

The village board has approved a new five-year lease with the First Stop coffee kiosk inside the Barrington Metra station.

Located inside the Metra station for the last several years, First Stop serves coffee and other refreshments between 4:45 and 8:30 a.m. weekdays.

Peg Blanchard, the village's director of economic and community development, said the new lease will start on the first of the year and run through December of 2012.

In 2008, First Stop's rent will remain the same as this year at $479. Starting in 2009, the lease will increase each year by 3 percent.

Village Manager Denise Pieroni said there is space for a similar size kiosk in the station.

Previously, Pieroni said the village was looking for a local merchant to move into the space. However, she said a deal could never be reached with one.

Still wanting to fill that space, Pieroni said the they will start looking outside the village for a new tenant shortly after Jan. 1.