Backlot Coffee Will Open New Evanston Storefront
The local coffee chain plans to expand into a former bike shop space on Lake Street.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Openings & Closings
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Backlot Coffee plans to open a fourth total location in Evanston. The new site will occupy a vacant storefront at 1424 Lake Street that was previously home to Bucephalus Bikes.
Why it matters
The new storefront will bring a familiar local business into the 4th Ward, filling a vacancy left behind by a former retailer.
The new coffee shop is situated in the 4th Ward within a B1 district at 1424 Lake Street. This will mark the company's fourth total location across Evanston and Chicago.
The players
Backlot Coffee
An established local coffee chain that currently operates shops in Evanston, Lincoln Square, and Old Irving Park.
Bucephalus Bikes
A former local bicycle shop that ceased operations at the 1424 Lake Street location at the end of 2025.
The details
The new coffee shop will be situated in a vacant storefront at the corner of Lake Street and Ashland Avenue. This space was formerly occupied by Bucephalus Bikes until the shop closed at the end of 2025.
Timeline
Backlot Coffee opened its first location on Central Street in 2016.
Bucephalus Bikes closed its storefront at the end of 2025.
An alderman announced the new store plans on October 6, 2026.
Market Landscape
This project fills the retail gap left by the 2025 closure of the previous tenant at the location. The expansion reflects a strategy of occupying vacant local storefronts to grow the company's presence within established city districts.
The transition of this property from a bike shop to a coffee house provides new service options for residents in the 4th Ward. Locals can expect a new daily gathering space once the construction and licensing process concludes.
The takeaway
Expanding businesses often target properties with established foot traffic to minimize entry costs. Residents can look for future signage on Lake Street to track the progress of the upcoming build-out.
Further reading
For more information on local commercial changes, visit Openings & Closings.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Evanston Now.
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In your area, do you generally welcome the opening of new local coffee shops?
