‘An experience’: Dozens line up, some overnight, for Dutch Bros opening in Buffalo Grove

It was still dark Wednesday morning when the customers camped in the drive-through lane — some there overnight — placed the first orders on opening day of Dutch Bros Coffee in Buffalo Grove.

Excitement had been building for the shop’s arrival in The Clove, the mixed-use development at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads. Dutch Bros is filling an outlot once occupied by Burger King.

More than 20 cars were in line at 5 a.m., while other customers stood at the door. Campers were posting hourly TikTok videos about their wait beginning at 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

Among the customers was Monica Orozco, who brought along a group of family and friends.

“I actually saw online that they were going to open at 5 a.m., so I told my kids about it, and they wanted to wait outside until five,” she said.

Allie Lahti, Chicago-area business coach for the national chain, described Dutch Bros as a “people-first coffee business.”

“When you come to Dutch Bros, you’re not just getting a cup of coffee. You’re getting an experience,” she added.

That experience was apparent Wednesday, where Dutch Bros opening crew, known as “mobsters,” interacted with customers while “line busters” took orders from drivers.

Coffee specialties on the menu included the Golden Eagle, a drink with vanilla and caramel, and the Cocomo, a coconut mocha concoction. The shop also offers fruit, tea and lemonade drinks made to order, sugar-free options and food items.

Dutch Bros started in Oregon and has since opened more than 1,200 locations across the country.

“We’re excited for what the future holds out here in the Chicago market,” Lahti said.