Complimentary Cafe earns refill in Highland Park Metra station

After a successful rookie season, a local business in the heart of Highland Park is on track to stay for at least two more years.

Highland Park’s City Council during its June 29 meeting approved a resolution extending the city’s agreement with Complimentary Cafe to continue providing concessionaire services at the Metra Station on St. Johns Avenue.

City officials in April of last year selected Complimentary Cafe over two other applicants to serve as the station’s concession vendor. The approved agreement called for an initial 12-month lease, starting in July of 2025.

According to a city memo from Corey Cohn, Highland Park’s business development specialist, Complimentary Cafe’s owners requested to renew the agreement for an additional 24 months, which would extend the partnership through June 30, 2028.

Complimentary Cafe, which also operates a location in Skokie, had explored expanding into Highland Park prior to opening in the Metra station, but, according to Cohn, operating out of the station allowed them to test the local market and evaluate the potential for a long-term home in the city.

The eatery features hot and cold refreshments like lattes and mocktails, as well as locally sourced food items like bagels, muffins, hash browns, cookies, brownies, empanadas and chicken croissants.

The business also, according to Cohn’s memo, donated 5% of its profits to local charitable causes.

Since its opening last year, Complimentary Cafe updated its signage and plans to conduct new interior improvements to “enhance the customer experience,” the memo says.

Complimentary Cafe was previously run by owners and brothers Riyaz and Imad Ali, but since the unexpected passing of Riyaz, Imad has taken over primary operations.

According to the city memo, Imad Ali is in “good standing” with all business licenses and “has worked with the City Staff to present a business plan focused on maximizing revenue and expanding operations.”

Some plans Imad and the team are exploring include attracting Ravinia Festival riders waiting for the Pace Bus and broadening offerings during afternoon rush hour, per the memo.

A monthly lease of $450 is included in the agreement, which also states that Complimentary Cafe may open at 5 a.m. through as late as 7 p.m. if desired.

According to information from Metra, weekday morning ridership at the station averaged just under 700 people prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent reports from the company show that ridership has returned to 61% of prepandemic levels and is continually rising.

“Allowing flexible hours as the business adapts to commuter patterns supports the City’s goal of encouraging and sustaining new businesses,” the memo reads.

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.