A Study in the Art of Hospitality

The Brothers K Coffee House

By Victoria Scott

Brian Kim (left) and his older brother John have just changed the name of their cafe (the former Cafe Express South) to The Brothers K Coffee House.

"Latte art" refers to the process of creating designs in the steamed milk on top of an espresso drink.  The term belongs to the world of specialty coffee. 

But "latte art" might also describe the way John and Brian Kim run their Evanston café.

Though they have owned the café formerly known as Café Express South, 500 Main St., since August 2005, the Kim brothers only recently changed its name to The Brothers K Coffee House.  Allusions to Dostoyevsky notwithstanding, they are aiming to create an ambience they describe as "cozy, comfortable and friendly - a living room extension."

In the beginning atmosphere took a back seat to other concerns.  Their first priority upon opening was to concentrate on the quality and freshness of their coffee.  They chose a new vendor, Metropolis Coffee Roasters of Chicago, and committed to buying only the company’s fair-traded, organic beans.

Then they purchased a La Marzocco espresso machine, a high-end Italian import that called for a whole new technique for tamping the grounds and pulling a shot, says employee Vanessa Gorley. 

The result is that "we have terrific espresso drinks here.  That’s our focus," she says.  Freshness is key.  "Our espresso and coffee is used up and roasted within a week," says John Kim.

Slowly they have added local food items to their menu:  scones and soups from Evanston caterer Kim’s Kitchen; prize-winning croissants and other baked goods from Bennison’s; spinach pies from the Middle Eastern Bakery in Andersonville; quiche from Sweet Thang in Wicker Park.  Because quality comes at a price, John admits, "our things are pricier [than Starbucks’]."

Though the Kims have begun to alter the lighting and paint, they plan to "change the look gradually," they say.  It was one of their initial disagreements and illustrates the difference in their personalities.  "I wanted to charge the hill, and he wanted to open quietly," says John of their launch. 

The two are clear about their dissimilarities - and about the fact that, in Brian’s words, being poles apart "helps us make good decisions.  We complement each other."  He elaborates:  "John is the dreamer, I am the realist.  He has more ambition; I have very little."  And, grinning ear to ear, he claims, "He’s hard-working; I’m not."

They also joke about their circuitous route to the corner of Hinman and Main.  "I never thought my path would lead here," says John.  The Kims grew up in Dayton, Ohio, both graduating from Miami University.  A job as analyst for Baxter Health Care brought John to the Chicago area in 1996. 

After three years here and one in California, he returned to get a master’s degree from Trinity seminary.  He then served as an associate pastor at the Evanston Bible Fellowship. 

Then he turned to consulting.  "It was a recipe for disaster, an extrovert working from home," says John.  Listening to his woes, a friend advised," You should open a café."

Around this time John heard Café Express South was for sale.  "It looked empty," he says.  The Korean couple who owned it "didn’t speak English well," he says, "and struggled to engage the customers."  He could tick off evidence of the café’s potential - "its corner location, a neighborhood that wants to support local businesses" - even a Starbucks down the street to "show that the area supports coffee."

But by the time he had called in his business-savvy mother for advice, the place had been sold.  The sale fell through in July 2005, and John called his brother Brian in Phoenix.  "I wasn’t going to do it on my own," says John.

Brian, who says he was "trying to play pro golf" but had "too many bogies and not enough birdies," said yes to his brother, and by August they had signed a contract.  They opened on Labor Day 2005.

Brian leaves managing to his big brother.  "I like the people," he says.  Their clientele "represents the neighborhood," say the pair - "disenfranchised people who mix with people who live on Sheridan Road."  They admit this "sometimes creates excitement."  John says, "We’re learning to be open but wise."

The two take obvious pleasure in what John calls their "small-town urban community."  John and his wife live in south Evanston; bachelor Brian lives close to the café.  They enjoy meeting their customers on the street and take quiet pride in providing help  needed.

"It’s fun to know our customers and their lives," says John.  "A lot of babies have been born this year.  We’ll see them go to school in five years.  It’s fun to grow with the neighborhood."

Kim Matlon spends many afternoons at The Brothers K.  A solo practitioner lawyer with an office at home, she finds the café "a great place to come and continue working."  She had stopped coming for a time before the Kims bought the place but returned in December 2005.  "It’s kind of like Cheers," she says.  "You walk in and people know you." 

It is, she says, "a comfortable place to be:  good ambience, nice people, good coffee."  In sum, an example of "café art."

Sherman Plaza Grand Opening

Mayor Lorraine Morton and Sherman Plaza co-developers Jim Klutznick and Tim Anderson cut the ribbon at the building’s grand opening.

Mayor Lorraine Morton, City Manager Julia Carrol and Aldermen Anjana Hansen, 9th Ward, and Lionel Jean Baptiste, 2nd Ward,  were just a few of the many Evanston residents, business owners and employees in attendance at the Oct. 19 grand opening of the downtown’s newest (and largest) addition.

All who spoke before the ceremonial ribbon cutting, including both Mayor Morton and Ms. Carroll and co-developers Jim Klutznick and Tim Anderson, have high aspirations for what Sherman Plaza condominiums and businesses will bring to the downtown area.

Ms. Carroll has purchased one of the condominiums in the building and was excited to welcome people into her new "home."

Developer Jim Klutznick celebrates the grand opening with his family.

For Mr. Klutznick, the day was also a celebration of his own family tradition. With his family, he shared memories of walking with his father through his development, Old Orchard, and through his brother’s building, Water Tower Place; he shared his excitement at being able to walk his granddaughter through his own creation.

Mayor Morton held the scissors and cut the red ribbon to officially welcome Sherman Plaza to the City.

The Discover Main Street Station Shopping District event will be held Nov. 2-5. Track down treasures at Main St. shops and be entered to win over $300 in prizes! Visit each of the 18 participating businesses and have the event ticket stamped. When all of the boxes on the ticket have been stamped, write your contact information on the ticket and leave it with the last store you visit. The ticket is available in this issue of the Roundtable (p. 15) and at participating merchants.
 
 A drawing for the winners will be held at 5:00 p.m. Nov,. 5 at Ten Thousand Villages, 719 Main Street. Prizes donated by participating businesses will be on display in the window at Ten Thousand Villages. No purchase is necessary. One entry per adult. Winners will be contacted by telephone and need not be present to win.
Participating shops are As You Like It Hair Design, Belgian Chocolatier Piron, Brasilian Soul, Brothers K Coffee Shop, Casita Azul, Chicago Main News Stand, Chicago Rare Books, Dave’s Down to Earth Rock Shop, Eureka! Antiques & Collectibles, Good’s of Evanston, Healthy Green Goods, Marie Parie Boutique, Plain and Simple, Ten Thousand Villages, The Hungry Pup, Toad Creek Antiques, Vogue Fabrics and Zen Shiatsu Chicago.

Fair Trade Faire at Unitarian Church

The Unitarian Church of Evanston, 1330 Ridge Ave., will hold a Fair Trade Faire at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. The Faire, organized with help from fair-trade shop Ten Thousand Villages on Main Street, will feature items from Enterprising Kitchens (Chicago), which helps unemployed women attain personal and economic self-sufficiency. Contact Joan Retzloff and Gini Sayad, UCE Green Sanctuary Committee, 847-864-1330.