Buzz Café (BC-OP-IL-TA) 905 S Lombard Ave Local commercial 297 m² Inoccupé À vendre Oak Park, IL 60304 602 419 € (2 026,37 €/m²)

Prime Real Estate + Turnkey Café & Coffeehouse Infrastructure In Place
Asking Price: $699,000 | Building Size: 3,200 SF | Lot Size: 3,198 SF (0.067 AC)
Zoning: B1/B2 Retail | Taxes (2023): $10,264 | Built: 1909 | Renovated: 2017
Address: 905 S Lombard Ave, Oak Park, IL 60304
• Historic 2-story freestanding building
• In the heart of historic downtown Oak Park “DTOP”
• Sits squarely in the middle of the popular Oak Park Arts District
• Along the Harrison Street corridor between Austin Blvd and Ridgeland Ave
• Along with Bead In Hand, Expressions Graphics, Fat Cat Art Gallery, G&G Home, Kidcreate Studio, Jamilla Yipp Photography, Oak Park String Academy, Photos By Greg Inc, Purple Sun Arts, Slowfire Art Center, The Actors Garden, The Brown Elephant, Val’s Records, Whispers From The Moon and more
• As well as health, wellness and professional services such as Oak Cleaners, Sandra Ross Salon, Sister 2 Sister Hair Dimension, Styles 4 Kidz, Valdo’s Barbershop and more
• In addition to eclectic dining like MORA Sushi, Publican Quality Bread, The Happy Apple Pie Shop, Taco Mucho, Trattoria 225 and more
• Also close to Columbus Park
• And steps from a busy CTA Blue Line and the Austin L stop
• Just off I-290 (Eisenhower Expressway)
• 15 minutes west of downtown Chicago
Property Overview:
Rare opportunity to acquire prime Oak Park real estate with a fully built-out and equipped café and coffeehouse infrastructure. The site offers a proven location for a cafe, coffeehouse or casual dining concept without the complexities of a business purchase. The Buzz Café, a beloved community anchor for 27 years is closing, but the infrastructure and goodwill remain. The ideal foundation for a fresh vision!
Located in the heart of the Oak Park Arts District, steps from the CTA Blue Line and the Austin L stop, plus surrounded by galleries, restaurants and specialty retail. This high-visibility corridor benefits from steady pedestrian and vehicular traffic and a low ~2.5% retail vacancy rate.
Financial Performance:
2024 Gross Sales: $832,132 (demonstrates strong market demand)
Jan–Jul 2025 Projected Sales: $464,011 (annualized $800,000)
Pro Forma Adjusted Net Income Potential: $235,000–$240,000 (26–30% margin under optimized operation)
FF&E Included: Approx. $50,000 in furniture, fixtures and commercial-grade equipment
Historical financials show that a lean ownership model can unlock significant profitability from the existing revenue base!

Market Potential:
The location proved its viability as a longtime full-service café and coffeehouse for decades as a community gathering place.

Building Description:
Total Area: 3,200 SF (approx. 1,600 SF per floor plus full basement)
Construction: Reinforced concrete with 14ft high ceilings and open layout
Renovations: Major updates in 2017 including mechanicals and infrastructure
Parking: 3 dedicated on-site spaces + abundant street parking
Visibility & Access: Corner exposure in dense mixed-use district with strong foot traffic

Floor Breakdown / Income Potential:
Ground Floor – Turnkey Café (1,600 SF)
• café and coffeehouse layout with service counter, seating for ~72 (38 Interior, 6 Front Patio, 28 Rear Patio)
• Fully built-out kitchens with commercial hood systems, espresso equipment, POS system, grinders and small-wares
• Ideal to continue as a cafe, coffee house, small bakery and light restaurant concept or bring your concept here!
• Immediate occupancy — minimize startup time and build-out costs!

Second Floor – Flexible Use (1,600 SF)
• Currently being used as the cafe and coffeehouse's office space with private entrance and interior access
• Can convert to owner’s residence or income-producing professional office or creative studio
• Zoning permits residential or office use on upper levels

Basement – Full Commercial Kitchen & Storage
• Additional prep area, walk-in storage, dry storage and production space
• Perfect for catering or wholesale operations to supplement front-of-house business

Infrastructure Highlights:
• Commercial hoods & ventilation systems
• Grease traps and updated plumbing lines
• High-capacity HVAC and electrical systems
• Compostable waste setup and eco-friendly design legacy
• ADA compliant entry and restroom facilities

Community & Location Advantages:
• Situated in the heart of Oak Park’s Arts District along the Harrison Street corridor between Austin Blvd and Ridgeland Ave
• Dense residential surroundings with a strong daytime population
• Walkable to public transit (CTA Blue Line + L Station nearby)
• Surrounded by galleries, boutiques, services and other dining destinations
• Area demographics favor health-conscious and community-oriented concepts

Investment Highlights:
1. Prime Real Estate + Turnkey Build-Out - Purchase includes land, building and fully installed equipment — ready for immediate activation
2. Proven Historical Demand - 27 years of sustained traffic and over $800,000 in annual sales validate long-term viability
3. Multi-Level Revenue Streams - Ground floor retail and basement production facilities allow for diversified income, plus convertible upper floor
4. High-Visibility Corner In Low-Vacancy District - Located in Oak Park’s vibrant Arts District with ~2.5% retail vacancy rate
5. Operational Upside - Optimized labor and cost structure could produce net income of $230,000 annually

Ideal Buyer Profile:
Experienced Operators: Looking to expand an existing brand into a proven market
Hands-On Entrepreneurs: Seeking a ready-to-open café or breakfast spot in an affluent, loyal community
Investor/Developers: Desiring a mixed-use asset with stable tenant demand and creative reuse options

Key Financial Snapshot (Pro Forma):
2024 (Actual) 2025 Jan–Jul (Pro Forma)
Gross Sales: $832,132 $464,011
Cost of Goods: 26.8% 17.7%
Payroll: 58.1% 56.6% (optimized)
Adjusted Net Income Potential: $141,000 (Jan–Jul) / $235,000–$242,000 (Full Year)

Summary:
905 S. Lombard Ave, Oak Park,IL presents a rare combination of prime Oak Park real estate and ready-to-use restaurant infrastructure. For 27 years, the site served as a beloved community destination and proved its ability to generate very strong sales. Soon vacant and free of brand restrictions, it offers a turnkey foundation for a new operator to realize immediate cash flow in a low-vacancy, high-income market.