Yesterday, the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards approved the rezoning of 3110-3112 N Kedzie Avenue (pictured) in Avondale from B3-1 to C1-1.

This rezoning will allow Metric Coffee to open a coffee roastery and café with retail food sales as well as indoor and outdoor dining.

North Branch Works is thrilled that a manufacturing business will open in our service area as manufacturing and industrial jobs pay family-sustaining wages without requiring advanced degrees.

Our letter of support to the Committee on Zoning highlights these and other points.

Adding a food and beverage business on this stretch of Kedzie Avenue supports local economic development by making it easier for people to prolong their stay in the area and visit nearby businesses.

This property falls in the 35th Ward. We’d like to thank Alderman Carlos Ramirez-Rosa for supporting the rezoning.

He understands the value that small businesses and manufacturing jobs bring to the neighborhood. It was a pleasure working with Alderman Rosa and Billy Drew, Policy Director, 35th Ward.

Metric Coffee is a great example of how manufacturing has shifted in Chicago from large companies to neighborhood businesses. It’s exciting to see smaller scale manufacturing thriving in the North Branch.

Speaking of manufacturing, North Branch Works and the Chicagoland Manufacturing Renaissance Council are holding a Manufacturing Summit on March 24th at 10 a.m.

Join us for an engaging dialogue about manufacturing and how we can support its growth in Chicago by signing up here.

We look forward to continuing to support Metric Coffee  as it opens up its business operations in the North Branch.

Stay tuned for a story on our blog featuring the company and the opening of its café and coffee roastery.