Wicker Park Theatre Launches Coffee Shop With Goddess and Grocer

A Wicker Park theatre has converted its lobby/lounge space and relaunched the area as a coffee shop. The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., opened Haven Lounge on Friday where it serves baked goods and sandwiches from The Goddess and Grocer chain. The shop pours Dark Matter Coffee and Rishi Teas.

The Den has served alcohol in the space for years for theatre patrons. It’ll continue to serve eight draft beers and cocktails. But now it also offers sandwiches, pastries, and salads for lunch. There’s also a few breakfast items. The space has an additional two bars upstairs, but Haven Lounge is more of an attempt to lure passers-by off Milwaukee, not just theatre attendees. The Goddess and Grocer owner Debra Sharp compared the offerings to her company’s offerings over at The Steppenwolf Theatre Co. in Lincoln Park. That includes the bakery’s popular rainbow cake.

Ashok Selvam

Haven offers WiFi, and there’s vintage leather chairs and framed artwork on the maroon walls. Staff is still make adjustments to the space and workflow, as they expect to be fully ready by the end of the month. But customers don’t have to wait for another Milwaukee Avenue coffee shop. Haven Lounge is now open. Meanwhile, take a look at the menus below.

Haven Lounge at The Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave., open daily at 8 a.m. Closing time will vary in the first few weeks of the opening.