To start a coffee shop in Illinois, secure the right location and permits first: confirm zoning for “restaurant/retail food establishment,” obtain a Certificate of Occupancy, and get plan review approval from your local health department (Chicago: Food Establishment License + plan review) before buildout. Form an LLC with the Illinois Secretary of State, get an FEIN, and register on MyTax Illinois for an Illinois Business Tax (IBT) number, sales tax, and withholding. Apply for a Retail Food Establishment permit; have at least one Certified Food Protection Manager on duty (ANSI-accredited) and ensure all food handlers complete Illinois-approved training. Design the bar with plumbing to code (RPZ/backflow prevention), adequate hand/three-compartment sinks, approved refrigeration, and a grease interceptor if food prep requires it; choose NSF/UL equipment and schedule preventative maintenance for espresso boilers and water filtration. Budget realistically: $150–300/sq ft buildout, $60–120k equipment, and six months’ working capital. Set up payroll, register with IDES for unemployment insurance, carry workers’ comp, and obtain general/product liability insurance. Register for local sales tax rates, program your POS by item (prepared drinks taxed at the general rate). If roasting, consult Illinois EPA on air permits. Finalize suppliers, QA recipes, and a soft opening to stress-test throughput.
