@ Loves Local Featuring CoCo & Blu in Arlington Heights
Anyone in need of a little afternoon pick me up? If so, @ Loves Local is inviting you to visit CoCo & Blu in Arlington Heights. This Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 from 11am – 1pm, pick up a beverage on @properties! Read on to learn how to get yours.
In just a year, CoCo & Blu has become a staple in the Arlington Heights community. The atmosphere exudes charm while their sips and bites offer decadent flavor. With drinks like the Lucky Latte and Fireside Latte, we know it may be difficult to choose!
While you contemplate which creation to pick, let’s learn more about CoCo & Blu from owner, Michael Brown. From how CoCo & Blu began to a special vintage piece you’ll find in the shop, Michael gave us an inside scoop that made us smile from ear to ear.
@properties: How did CoCo & Blu come to be?
Michael Brown: I have always had a passion for coffee. (Out first dog, back in 1992, was named Hazlenut Crème!) From our very first trip to Paris (with my wife, Denise), we loved sitting in sidewalk cafes, the French sense of style, and just….how to live! Not just in France, but throughout Europe you can find the very best quality food, coffee, and cocktails in style. After being a stay-at-home dad for 19 years, I was considering my next “career”. During a 2015 trip touring the Christkindlmarkets in Europe, we sat in one beautiful coffee house after another, and I got so sad – the only coffee option in Arlington Heights came in a paper cup. It was during this trip that the idea for CoCo& Blu began.
Photo by CoCo & Blu
@properties: You are located in downtown Arlington Heights. Was there anything specific about this location that drew you to it?
MB: We, as well as our business partner Debra, are longtime residents of Arlington Heights – we were married here, raised our children here and have always been active in the community. We had to be located in downtown AH, to provide the sidewalk café ‘watch the world go by’ experience. We looked at our first property in 2016 and it took 3 years to find our location! We love the huge windows, our café and library lounge are so light and bright by day yet cozy at night, and best of all we are located on a corner with beautiful outdoor café space. Our large blue bar is vintage, from Pops for Champagne in Chicago, and we couldn’t believe when it fit the space perfectly – it was meant to be!
Photo by CoCo & Blu
@properties: While there are many delicious items on the menu, CoCo & Blu has a variety of creations, from classic espresso drinks to creative ones, like the Fireside Latte and the Lucky Latte. How do you come up with these flavors?
MB: We have been lucky to have our son, Nate, join us in opening CoCo & Blu. He collects coffee and cocktail suggestions from the staff, but final recipes are the two of us experimenting, which is some of the most fun we have – we look forward to our experimenting days! The Fireside Latte began by imagining a favorite candy in a warm cup sitting by our cozy fireplace. It has been our most popular drink – you can’t go wrong with Toasted Marshmallow and Caramel!
@properties: In your opinion, what is a ‘must try’ on your menu?
MB: Our homemade Signature Quiche – it’s our own recipe made with organic eggs, Nueske’s applewood smoked bacon, gruyere and cheddar cheese, green onions and thyme – people are literally addicted to it!
Photo by CoCo & Blu
@properties: Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
MB: Two secrets – one: CoCo means Coffee and Cocktails! Two: we have the most incredible staff anywhere – every coffee, cocktail, and menu item is hand-crafted with passion, and we absolutely love our customers!
The Details:
When ordering, mention @properties or @ Loves Local on Tuesday, December 8th, 2020 from 11am – 1pm CT for a beverage of your choice on the @ tab*. CoCo & Blu is located at 12 S Dunton Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. Be sure to follow @atproperties and @cocoandblucafe on Instagram and use our hashtag #AtLovesLocal when you visit.
Limit one beverage per person. When visiting, please respect others by wearing a mask and maintaining a 6-foot distance.
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