Roselle offers temporary lifeline for train station coffee shop

A new coffee shop for commuters on the go got a lifeline Monday from the Roselle village board.

A businesswoman operating a coffee shop inside the Roselle train station will have her lease payments relaxed until October with the business permitted to be open at the start of Phase 4 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's "Restore Illinois" plan takes effect.

As a result of the new agreement, Pam Cline, the shop owner leasing the space, will have her rent paid until October.

Cline intended to enter a sublease agreement during a March 23 hearing for the space prior to the COVID-19 pandemic canceling the in-person meeting.

"There's no cars there, nobody's taking a train," village Trustee Wayne Domke said. "Being friendly for one, two or three months will not kill us."

Cline operated a Maple Leaf Coffee Roasters for at least a decade before deciding to open a new shop of her own after Maple Leaf chose to give up its spot in the station. The equipment she has purchased and maintains is from that company.

Cline sought rent relief because of both the shutdown and how few commuters are using public transit as a result of the pandemic.