Leonidas Chocolate Café, the Belgian chocolaterie found throughout Chicagoland, is opening a new location in Lincoln Park at 1964 N. Halsted St.
Owner Ari Backman tells What Now Chicago he and his team recently purchased the building and plans to open the company’s fourth location in Spring 2023. The new site will move into the former home of Gepperth’s Meat Market. Other cafe locations include Evanston, Northbrook, and near Chicago’s River North neighborhood. Backman also owns the site in Evanston, which initially started in Wilmette before moving to gain more foot traffic. Marie Douailly is also an owner of Leonidas Chocolate Café.
When the new Belgium chocolate shop opens, customers can expect fresh Belgian Chocolates, French pastries, an espresso bar, creperies (sweet and savory), Belgian waffles, croissants, warm croissant sandwiches, macarons, smoothies, fresh squeezed OJ, ice cream or gelato, omelets, and quiche. While these treats would be perfect for any sweet tooth during the holidays, the store has special hours around Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and the kitchen closes 30 minutes before the store closes.
While the company’s fourth location won’t have to deal with this year’s holiday hours, customers can still find the perfect gift for someone at one of their three cafes. On top of the coffee staples found at the cafe, they also offer temporary holiday chocolates perfect for Christmas. Some gift options include the holiday gift box with 20 trees, a 100-gram chocolate Santa, and one pound classic assortment of Leonidas Belgian Chocolates. These gifts are only available for in-store pickup.
