Elgin coffee shop owners raise a mug to new beginnings
ELGIN, IL - After six successful and delicious years as owners and operators of Arabica Café, Chef Brian and Diane Stanton are hanging up their aprons to retire to the Las Vegas sunshine.
They are seeking a buyer for the café - ideally, a working owner who will build on the stellar reputation, loyal customer base, and elite line of product offerings that Arabica has built since 2016.
Arabica Café is a pandemic success story. The artisan coffee shop and from-scratch bakery sustained customer loyalty and a healthy bottom line throughout the worst of restaurant shutdowns, and it continues to enjoy steady increases in foot traffic, online orders, and subsequent profitability.
Top-quality, daydream-worthy pastries, tea, and espresso notwithstanding, much of Arabica's success is due to the culmination of the Stantons' past experience in marketing, coffee, and food service. Entrepreneurs to their core, the married business partners joined forces for the final chapter of their career to make their dream of owning a coffee shop come true.
"This was our retirement plan," says Diane. "We opened Arabica Café for fun - to work together as a last hurrah because we had always talked about opening a coffee shop. So, we did!"
Now they hope that Arabica can make that same dream come true for a new owner - a buyer who can walk into ready-made success and enjoy the fruits of their labor without the work and risk of a new business venture.
An artisanal bakery and coffee shop known for its homemade pastries, high-quality beans, friendly staff, and cozy atmosphere, Arabica Café has become a breakfast and lunchtime staple in Elgin.
Located in the heart of downtown Elgin at 59 Douglas Ave., its alluring, understated presence tempts passersby with sweet aromas and inviting patio tables, transporting guests to a Parisian café without ever leaving home.
And more than cinnamon cyclones and perfect latte foam, Arabica is a pillar in the Elgin community. In response to the 2020 pandemic, Arabica started giving away small loaves of homemade bread to anyone who needed one, just to make life a little brighter during hard times. To date, they've distributed more than 15,000 loaves.
In short, Arabica Café is a gem.
"Watching Arabica flourish, even through a pandemic, has been such a privilege," says Diane. "It's a special place, and it's brought so much joy to us, our staff, and our community. But it's time for Arabica to bring joy to someone new."
The Stantons are seeking someone truly deserving to buy Arabica Café, hoping for a spirited entrepreneur who has a passion for Elgin, excellence, and espresso.
"We're excited about our next chapter, but we're just as excited to see Arabica continue to thrive," says Diane. "With the right owner, we're certain Arabica will be an Elgin fixture for decades to come."
Chef Brian and Diane plan to host a retirement party/meet and greet with the new owner at Arabica Café in the coming months. Details will be shared on social media. In the meantime, they invite you to stop by for a sandwich or a cyclone and to raise mug to new beginnings.
Interested buyers should email dstanton136@gmail.com to request a tour and sales kit.