Sparrow Coffee opened its doors in downtown Clarendon Hills this week after more than a year of delays.

The coffee shop announced on Instagram on Wednesday, Oct. 14, that it was holding a soft opening at 100 Park Ave., Patch reported. The shop is operating from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. daily during its initial run.

"Limited hours at first," the restaurant said. "We're taking the time to get every detail just right, and we can't wait to welcome you in."

The location fills the space left by the former Starbucks. Sparrow is combining three units in the block into a single storefront.

Under Sparrow's original subsidy agreement with the Village of Clarendon Hills, the restaurant was supposed to be ready by Halloween 2025. The shop received multiple extensions, with the latest deadline set for Halloween 2026. The opening falls about 10 days ahead of that revised deadline.

The project is backed by a $622,000 subsidy from the village's tax increment financing district, or TIF. Growth in property tax income within the district is meant to reimburse the cost of the subsidy over time.

Sparrow Coffee owner Chris Chacko addressed the Clarendon Hills Village Board at its Sept. 21 meeting, telling officials the project was worth the wait "because we did it correctly."

At that meeting, Chacko estimated the soft opening would land around Oct. 15, with a full opening later in the month. He described the shop as a blend of high-end design and specialty coffee. His prediction drew applause from the board.

Chacko also told the board Sparrow has an extensive food program. "Our croissants take four days to make just like they do in France," he said.

Sparrow already operates a cafe in Naperville and a roastery in Chicago. Its website says its coffee is served at the majority of Chicago's Michelin-starred restaurants, according to Patch.

Downtown impact

Some Clarendon Hills residents have urged village officials to hold off on downtown improvements until they can gauge Sparrow's impact on the area, Patch reported in September. The village has been studying a proposed downtown plaza near the shop's location, and its FAQ page notes that Sparrow will likely drive some morning traffic. Peak traffic in the area comes around 3 to 4 p.m. during pickup at Clarendon Hills Middle School.

No drive-thru is planned.