* This is such a much-needed addition…
Secretary Giannoulias Announces Coffee Station Opening at Capitol Building
Elm City Roastery will serve coffee
Pastries from Three Twigs and Co.
Who: Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias
Elm City Roastery staff
What: Secretary Giannoulias will join employees from Elm City Roastery at their grand opening at the Illinois State Capitol Building. The coffee station will be located on the second floor, south hallway, of the Illinois State Capitol.
Where: Illinois State Capitol Building
Second Floor South Hallway
Springfield
When: Wednesday, March 29 at 10:00 a.m.
Why: Secretary Giannoulias’ office, which maintains the Illinois Capitol Complex, issued a solicitation requesting bids to open the first-ever independently and locally owned and operated coffee station in the Illinois Capitol Building. Elm City Roastery was the winning bidder.
“This is a great opportunity to promote local businesses while also serving top-notch coffee and pastries to Capitol Building visitors, legislators, staff, media and lobbyists,” said Secretary Giannoulias. “I encourage everyone working or visiting the Capitol to stop by the second-floor coffee station and support this local business.”
Yeah, the old Rathskeller was dingy. But it was also handy. We’ve needed something in the Statehouse for a very long time.
- wildcat12 - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 12:49 pm:
Great news (banned punctuation) Not so great news for my wallet.
- Linus - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 12:53 pm:
Stating the obvious: The statehouse grounds desperately need some kind of eatery to return. As Rich said, the Rathskeller was far from perfect, and the same was wildly true of the Stratton cafe. But they filled a pretty basic need that is not being met today. The candy-vending machine in the capitol basement can only go so far.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 12:55 pm:
This is the greatest thing to happen to the Capitol that hasn’t involved federal agents.
- Near West Side - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 12:57 pm:
Very good news, especially with the Howlett cafeteria and vending being the only options currently.
- low level - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:05 pm:
==Capitol Building visitors, legislators, staff, media and lobbyists,==. I love how he put lobsters last.
- Jibba - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:09 pm:
Second good idea from Giuannoulias? Keep this up and I may not regret my vote.
- Former ILSIP - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:11 pm:
The Stratton cafeteria is supposed to reopen in the not-distant future, but I’ll believe that when I see it.
- wildcat12 - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:11 pm:
Linus, the Howlett Building has a cafeteria. Also far from perfect, but it’s got some good options. I still wouldn’t turn my nose up at other eateries.
- Dirty Red - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:12 pm:
Tell me Tim Mapes is gone without saying so.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:13 pm:
Former ILSIP,
I think the Stratton Cafeteria re-opening is on the same pace as the pension funding schedule.
See you at the 2045 ribbon-cutting.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:16 pm:
Noted
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:17 pm:
Dirty Red nailed it. lol
- Linus - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:26 pm:
Thanks, wildcat12. Yeah, I’ve visited the Howlett joint a couple times. And it’s oddly left me longing for the Stratton cafe, an emotion I never thought I’d feel!
- Retired Lobster - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:35 pm:
In the 60s and early 70s there was food and beverage stand on the 3rd floor, north wall, near the stairs to the mezzanine. You could get coffee, soft drinks, sandwiches and snacks. Very handy.
There was also one in the Howlett building.
- Socially DIstant watcher - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:36 pm:
Long live the Rat, exclamation point. It was many things but it was handy and edible and that counted for a lot.
- JustAThought - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 1:42 pm:
I hope this doesn’t hurt Custom Cup!
- Chicago Voter - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 2:15 pm:
Stratton cafeteria needs to reopen even if the offerings are limited. I have seen groups sitting on the floors in Stratton eating lunch outside offices. There is no place for people to meet/gather.
Another thought, a good ole Chicago hot dog cart outside the Capitol in the warmer months would be a big hit.
- Final 4 - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 2:28 pm:
I hope it is being run by the blind vendors. They were chased out during the remodel years ago. They sure should be given consideration.
- Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 2:38 pm:
Alexi just won Sangamon County
- Jeff Johnson - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 2:51 pm:
Remembering Jimmy’s newspaper and snack area. Hopefully, Rich can post a picture of the new shop when it opens. I’m not likely to be dropping by for a visit for a long time. Food service doesn’t seem to be stable in the Capitol.
- ??? - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 3:14 pm:
When did the Rathskellar and the Stratton cafeteria close? I haven’t been to the State House (or lived in springfield) in years.
- Mocking Jay - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 3:26 pm:
huzzah!
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 3:37 pm:
With warmer weather a lot of the school groups do use the outdoor tables near the visitors center. But there really is no space in bad weather for groups to gather to eat.
Prior to the start of the construction projects, several food trucks had started parking along second street during the lunch period. I think they did a pretty good job and were well liked by the Capitol Complex gang.
- Stones - Tuesday, Mar 28, 23 @ 4:42 pm:
Back in the day when I was a young Senate Page we used to call The Rathskellar the “Rat Cellar”. Just sayin’.
- Salt Life - Wednesday, Mar 29, 23 @ 1:26 am:
Loved the Rat