South Side Staple Currency Exchange Cafe Reopens With Peach’s Restaurant’s Chef

The reborn Currency Exchange Cafe is set to reopen on Friday with a slightly new name. After the restaurant closed in July to reconcept with a new chef and owner, Cliff Rome from Peach’s Restaurant, it’ll open tomorrow as Peach’s at Currency Exchange Cafe. The coffee shop/restaurant was founded by the Rebuild Foundation and has been around for four years in Washington Park.

The cafe’s management said they’ll still be in training mode on Friday, and haven’t shared any new info, but the menu will include hangover Wings, one of Peach’s more popular items. They’ll also serve breakfast sandwiches, sweet rolls, salads, and shrimp and grits.

Rebuild is a non for profit founded by artist Theaster Gates. A native Chicagoan, Gates officially started the organization in 2007 to help underserved communities using culture to help redevelop neighborhoods. Gates is collaborating with the new chef and ower Rome who’s run Peach’s since 2015 in Bronzeville. He trained under celebrity chef Wolfgang Puck. Previously, Lamar Moore (Swill Inn) and Nick Jirasek (Old Habits at Ludlow Liquors) worked as chefs at the cafe.

Tregg Duerson, Rebuild’s COO, provided at statement and mentioned a diverse menu of soulful dishes. He wants to appeal to omnivores, vegans, and vegetarians and says the new iteration of the cafe will expand on the restaurant’s original cultural legacy.

A spokesperson said they’ll have more info next week. Stay tuned for any updates. Meanwhile, after four months of slumber, Peach’s at Currency Exchange Cafe opens on Friday.

Peach’s at Currency Exchange Cafe, 305 E. 55th Street, hours not posted yet.