Espresso Royale lovers in Champaign-Urbana can breathe a bit easier tonight.
Despite an ominous looking announcement from the parent company of the Espresso Royale coffee chain, the java will continue to be brewed in Champaign-Urbana – and is now under local ownership.
A Facebook post on Thursday evening clarified the situation, that Espresso Royale lives on in Champaign-Urbana for the foreseeable future. It is now disconnected from the parent company based in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
The Champaign stores are open – and the Urbana location on Oregon should “open in a couple weeks.”
Find the announcement via Facebook HERE, we’ve printed it below in italics:
“Don’t believe the hype! Espresso Royale Lives on!
Covid 19 has forced the Michigan-based company that briefly owned Espresso Royale, LLC, to exit the coffee business. However, the master roaster Ken (a UI alumnus who got his start as a barista at the Espresso Royale at 1117 W. Oregon Street!) and a small group of people that have been slinging coffee in CU for Espresso Royale since it was called ERC (Espresso Royale Caffe, with two F’s!!!) have opened a new roasting company and re-opened the Champaign-Urbana cafés that we all have known and loved for years.
The new companies are called M-36 Coffee Roasters and Espresso Royale CU — you can call it ERC-U for short.”
Multiple media outlets in Champaign-Urbana and individuals shared the news of the supposed closing, causing some patrons to panic and share memories of their experiences in those locations.
However, no need to worry.
“We will still be roasting, bagging, blending, and baking the Espresso Royale coffees, drinks, and pastries and providing the wonderful customer service that you have grown to love.
Currently the Neil Street location is open with the drive-thru, in addition to walk-up ordering and a new expanded patio seating, and our Village at the Crossing location is open with online ordering ahead and patio seating — both open daily from 7am to 5PM. The Urbana flagship store on Oregon Street should be opening within the next few weeks.
We are so happy to be able to continue the Espresso Royale tradition in CU, and we hope to see you soon.”
For more on Champaign-Urbana’s favorite coffee, visit Eight Great Places For Coffee in Champaign-Urbana