Krema Coffee Roasters Set To Brew In Oak Park Avenue Metra Station

TINLEY PARK, IL — Tinley Park officials on Tuesday approved a piping hot license agreement for a coffee business seeking to move into the space previously occupied by Cavallini's in the Park.

Krema Coffee Roasters will soon open in the Oak Park Avenue Metra station, 6700 South St.

Plainfield-based Krema will offer specialty espresso-based drinks, coffee, teas and lemonade, as well as toasts, breakfast and lunch sandwiches, salads and grab-and-go items. Krema also will host public and private events in the café throughout the year and will offer online ordering so commuters can schedule their orders ahead of time.

"We can’t wait to start serving Tinley Park customers," Krema owner Kacie Wadycki said.

Krema first opened in Plainfield community in 2017. She then expanded, opening Wine & Cheese Co. in 2019, in addition to a Lockport location of Krema and coffee and wine bar Oak + Bean in Oswego, in 2022.

Wadycki said Krema has always been very active in the community through fundraisers, partnering with schools and nonprofits, and even offering the Krema Community Award, a scholarship for high school seniors. It’s a tradition that she intends to continue in Tinley Park.

"We believe that we not only have a responsibility to provide a great experience to our customers, but also to invest in the community," Wadycki said. "We routinely utilize a ‘Drink of the Month’ to raise money for local charities and nonprofits, and we’ll continue to look for other ways to give back to the community we love so much."

Wadycki's proposal for the space followed a formal application period during which the Village encouraged interested businesses to submit a business plan through the Request for Qualifications process. The Village did not receive formal inquiries from interested businesses during the submission period, and the RFQ remained on the Village’s website, officials said. Existing local business owners were sought and presented with the opportunity. Wadycki was the sole business owner to submit a proposal, officials said.

Terms of the license agreement for Krema include a $700 monthly fee, and 2 to 2.5-percent of gross annual sales to be paid to the Village monthly. The Village will waive that requirement for the first five months, according to the agreement. Wadycki will also pay a rental fee of $275.12 monthly.

Wadycki, already an active member of the Tinley Park Chamber of Commerce who participated in this year’s Brew & Vine Fest, said she looks forward to being involved in other Village events, such as the upcoming Downtown Tinley Boo Bash on Oct. 29.

"We just love all the great events here in town and want to make sure Krema is part of them," she said. "We look forward to becoming a cornerstone of the community for years to come."

Wadycki will be joined by Michael Duy, director of operations, and location manager Jonathan Hernandez.

"We’re extremely excited to welcome such a high-end coffee shop to town," Tinley Park Mayor Michael Glotz said. "Krema is a great addition to Downtown Tinley and is sure to become a favorite for both residents and visitors alike."

Krema roasts high-end and specialty-grade, single-origin coffees from around the world. The company places priority on supporting local by obtaining its milk from a local dairy farmer, displaying art from local artists, and featuring local artisan goods.

"We pride ourselves on providing our customers with only the best ingredients and products we can get our hands on," Wadycki said.

Krema Coffee Roasters will be open from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Krema replaces Cavallini's in the Park, which closed Sept. 15 after 20 years in the space.