Coffee lovers from near and far will finally be able to visit the world's largest Starbucks on Friday.
The Starbucks Reserve Roastery is scheduled to open at Michigan Avenue and Erie Street, in the former Crate and Barrel building.
Details on the inside remain fairly under wraps ahead of the grand opening, with only drips of information being released in the lead-up to the main event.
Starbucks says the roastery will feature "an immersive experience dedicated to roasting and brewing small-batch Starbucks Reserve coffee from around the world."
The interactive space will feature multiple brewing methods, a new menu of coffees and mixology and fresh baking on-site.
The company said the Starbucks will be approximately 35,000 square feet and five stories.
Here's what we know so far:
Local
What are the hours?
According to Starbucks, the roastery will operate:
• Monday - Thursday: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Friday: 7 a.m. – Midnight
• Saturday: 8 a.m. – Midnight
• Sunday: 8 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Is it the first of its kind?
According to the company, the Chicago roastery will be the sixth of its kind, joining other roasteries in Milan, New York, Seattle, Shanghai and Tokyo.
"This building has a unique way of becoming a beacon for a brand, and I can’t think of a better retailer than Starbucks to offer Chicago something new and exciting with its Reserve Roastery,” Gordon Segal, founder of Crate and Barrel, said in a statement.
It will be the third roastery to open in the U.S. behind the flagship Seattle location, which opened in 2014.
Will there be special Chicago drinks?
Starbucks unveiled three coffee-infused cocktails that will be served in the new roastery, two of which are only available in Chicago.
Among the Chicago-only options are a Pour Over Bijou, which is described as an "ode to Chicago's stunning architecture, particularly Louis Sullivan's jewel box style," the company announced.
"A continuation of classic cocktail pour overs while highlighting Chicago’s diverse modern metropolis," a release states.
The pour over includes West Java Coffee, Nikka Coffey Gin, Carpano Bianco, Green Chartreuse and Liqueur Strega.
A second Chicago cocktail is called the Roastery Boilermaker, described as "the classic Chicago 'Boilermaker' meets the Stiegl Radler." It had Veranda Blonde Cold Brew, Malort, Koval Four Grain Whiskey, bitters, club soda and grapefruit juice.
"Because you're not a true Chicagoan until you've tasted Malort," the release states.
A third cocktail, an old fashioned, is also already available at the New York and Seattle Roasteriers and features Starbucks Reserve Cold Brew, Iwai Tradition Whisky, Amaro del Capo, New York maple syrup and balsamic vinegar of Modena.
Why Chicago?
“Having opened our first Starbucks store in Chicago nearly 30 years ago, our first outside of Seattle, this is a very special city for me," Howard Schultz, former Starbucks' executive chairman, said in a statement in 2017. "At the time, it was a true test for Starbucks because the Chicago customer is so savvy and discerning about their coffee."
