Groundswell Coffee Roasters Opens in Chicago’s Historic Fine Arts Building

Chicago welcomes another coffee shop, Groundswell Coffee Roasters, located on the ground floor of the historic Fine Arts Building at 410 S. Michigan Ave. Despite the city’s abundance of coffee shops, Groundswell sets itself apart by opening in a building rich with history and culture.

The Fine Arts Building

The Fine Arts Building, built in 1885, originally served as a carriage assembly and showroom for the Studebaker company. Renovations later transformed it into a hub for art-related businesses, hosting galleries, theaters, lofts, dance and recording studios, and more. Keir Graff, a notable writer and tenant, highlights the building’s unique environment in his book, Chicago’s Fine Arts Building: Music, Magic, and Murder. Graff is excited about Groundswell’s presence, anticipating it will draw more people to experience the building’s historical charm.

Jason Foster’s Journey

Jason Foster, a former baseball player from Minnesota, owns and founded Groundswell Coffee Roasters. He moved to Chicago to play college baseball and study business, realizing his passion for coffee while managing a Starbucks. Foster and a business partner, also a former teammate, opened the first Groundswell shop in Ravenswood in 2015, followed by a second location in the West Loop a year later.

Foster chose the Fine Arts Building for its history and architecture. He worked with Brian Hammersley, the architect, and Gooch Design Studio to design the new shop. Covering an open elevator shaft was part of the renovation process, resulting in a 1,000-square-foot space ready to welcome coffee enthusiasts.

The New Groundswell Experience

The new location will operate daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to serving coffee, Groundswell will offer a limited food menu including breakfast burritos, all-day sandwiches, and pastries from Good Ambler in the West Loop. Foster will actively be present at the shop and looks forward to engaging with his new neighbors and welcoming them as regular customers.

A Legacy of Community

Many locals remember the space formerly occupied by the Artists Cafe, a beloved spot for Chicago’s cultural community. Opened by George Mitchell, it was a favorite for many celebrities and served countless students and visitors from nearby institutions and parks. Irene Makris, a longtime employee, cherishes her memories of the cafe’s significant role in the neighborhood.

The opening of Groundswell Coffee Roasters adds a new chapter to the Fine Arts Building’s storied history, promising to be a welcoming space for both coffee lovers and those interested in the building’s artistic heritage.