Rather than contributing to the unnecessarily rich corporate American coffee shop, you decide its time for something new. Something more alternative. Something a little more edgy.

Welcome to the Buzz Café. When you walk into this hole-in-the-wall, you are welcomed at the door with a "hello" and a "you may seat yourself." The friendly wait staff quickly appears to take your drink order.

"I think Buzz café is special because it is truly a community hangout," says owner Laura Maychruk. "People come here to meet, to engage in political activity that takes place here, to socialize with other Oak Parkers, parents, and kids. It is warm and inviting. It’s quirky. It’s artsy. It’s fun."

If you blink, you will pass it, but if you keep your eyes open long enough to see this eclectic hot spot, then you are in for a treat.

If it’s morning, your buzz from the night before will be replaced with a solid cup of coffee and a signature breakfast. It’s time to repair the headache with some delicious eats and drinks.

"We probably know you and greet you when you come in," Maychruk says. "There is a good chance you will see me and I will probably talk to you. I also have thoroughly enjoyed bringing something to south Oak Park that had been so desperately needed. I love south Oak Park and it has been given a bad rap, so I am so happy when someone comes to Buzz café and then perhaps tours Harrison St. and comes away with a wonderful experience of south Oak Park."

My favorite drink on the menu is the Chai. It is very rich and tasty, "a blend of black teas, honey and exotic spices combined with rich milk to make an intoxicating drink." This gem of a thirst quencher is $2.75 for a small and $3.75 for a large. Live a little, go for the large because the portion is huge and will satisfy you and your conversation for a long time.

The owner’s favorites are the breve ($3.50 for a large - espresso with steamed half and half) and the Buzz Salad ($5.95).

The menu is very concrete, yet edgy. You have your every-menu-has-this items, but then there’s the exotic like the Hummus and Veggie Platter ($4.95), the Garlic Grilled Mushroom sandwich ($5.95), and the Rustic Salad (baby greens with dried cranberries and grapes topped with feta cheese, sunflower seeds and the homemade balsamic vinaigrette), at a reasonable price of $5.95.

The breakfast fare is also wonderful. The Cheesy Egg Sandwich is a winner, with fried egg on choice of bread or bagel topped with melted cheddar, mozzarella, tomato and pesto, priced at $4.95.

Another eye catcher in this coffee shop is the art. "Any artist is welcome to hang their art on the walls and nearly all of the proceeds from the sale go to the artist." If you want to buy, view, sell, or have questions about the art, call Maychruk at 708.524.2899.

Making this coffee shop a stop on your morning errands list, or making it a point of visit is worth your while. Show your friends you have some alternative edgy taste by bringing them to the comfortable Buzz Café.

Photos courtesy of the Buzz Café

Owners view: A little ditty about how the Buzz began

"While living in a house on the 500 block of S. Lombard (1993-1997) and walking to the blue line everyday on my way to work, I was always hoping someone would open a coffee place so that I could get something on my way to work. Also, Harrison St. was beginning to change and a few galleries and a bead shop (Bead-in-Hand) opened. Neighbors were beginning to also chat about the changes and hoped for a coffee place, somewhere to hang out.

"On my way to work in October 1998 I saw a sign in the window of the building that the café is now in that said ‘For Sale or Rent’ and I called the number. The idea of starting up a café myself was beginning to take shape.

"I thought, how hard could it be? I called the bank and got some information on mortgages for commercial property, loans for construction and economic development incentives in Oak Park. Slowly, my husband Andrew and I began to develop an actual business plan. The written business plan totaled nearly 100 pages of research, financial analysis, menu costing, worst and best case scenarios, marketing plans, etc. It really forced us to look at how a business is really run and forced us to look at the reality of living a business that is open 16 hours a day, seven days a week.

"Well, after twisting a bunch of bankers' arms, we bought the building in May 1998 and began construction immediately. We opened for business on Aug. 31, 1998. We were very busy from the very beginning. We ran out of everything on that first day open. We opened with six employees and during the first week had to hire another eight. Now after being in business for five years we have around 30 employees. Our business has grown financially every year and this year we opened our second location in the library.

"Running a café is incredibly difficult and has probably taken years from my life. One of the things I really enjoy is being personally involved with my staff. I like to have a very family-type atmosphere. Think of me as the strict but loving mother. I love the kids who have worked for me over the years and I keep in touch with many who have since moved on."

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