BEVERLY — After two years of serving coffee from a trailer at farmers’ markets and pop‑up events, Emerald Cup is set to open its first fixed location inside Church 103, the former Lutheran sanctuary that now houses a collection of women‑owned businesses.
Local entrepreneurs bring coffee home
Emerald Cup’s owners, Kelly Devine and Katie McEnery, launched the mobile coffee shop in 2023, traveling the southern suburbs with a trailer and cart. Over the past year they have run successful pop‑ups at Church 103, located at 2501 W. 103rd St., and say the foot traffic from the adjacent yoga studio and boutique shops makes the site ideal.
“There is a lot of foot traffic, especially with the yoga studio and shops right there,” Devine explained. The partners plan to increase the frequency of pop‑ups beginning Wednesday throughout the holiday season, with a permanent kiosk slated for early 2027.
Church 103’s evolution
Originally built in the English Gothic style by architect Rudolph P. Boehm, the church held its first service in March 1949. After the Ridge Lutheran congregation moved, a private elementary school occupied the building from 2001 to 2018. In 2021 the structure was converted into a retail hub, welcoming its first tenant, Haven 1890, a women‑owned boutique.
Today the property hosts eight women‑owned businesses, including Haven 1890, Emilia Gray, The Studio Beverly, Rooted on Maplewood, Core Kids, Southside Acupuncture, Aliné Hormone + Aesthetic Institute, and Holly Carey Beauty.
Community roots and family ties
Devine grew up just blocks from the building before moving to Oak Forest. Her late father, Andy Devine, co‑owned Marathon Sportswear, a longtime Beverly retailer that later relocated to Blue Island. “I just love Beverly. I’ve always said I miss being around Beverly and wish I could have moved here,” Devine said. “It’s just a fun group of people. To be back and opening our coffee shop there, I know we’re just so excited about it.”
Developer support
A spokesperson for the development group behind Church 103 expressed enthusiasm for the addition. “We think they’ll be a great complement to our existing tenant partners and their customer base. They’ll bring additional energy and activity to the property and to Beverly,” the spokesperson said.
Emerald Cup’s move from a mobile operation to a permanent kiosk reflects a broader trend of small, locally‑owned enterprises establishing footholds in historic neighborhoods, enriching community life while providing convenient services for residents and visitors alike.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
