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📸 Credit: Geneva City Council agenda
Geneva is preparing to welcome a new café specializing in Balkan and Eastern European pastries to 117 W. State St., a space that's been vacant since August 2025.
The city council is expected to vote on Monday (6/1) on a $12,270 grant to help make the project happen.
Here's what to know:
The business: According to a city agenda, Astoria Bakery and Café is an established family operation that started on Chicago's northwest side, relocated to Lisle, and currently runs out of a commercial ghost kitchen. The owner has signed a lease at 117 W. State through 2032.
The space: The 748-square-foot building, last occupied by Lash Dash, needs significant work before it can operate as a sit-down café. Necessary improvements include electrical upgrades, new plumbing and a grease trap, flooring and ceiling work, and a bathroom expansion to meet accessibility requirements. The total project cost is estimated to be $61,350.
The city's role: Geneva's Historic Preservation and Adaptive Reuse Grant Program would reimburse Astoria 20% of eligible improvement costs (up to $12,270) after the work is completed and inspected. The city document says that without the grant, the space would only be viable as a passive pickup location, not a full café.
This is on the regular city council agenda for Monday, June 1. While downtown Geneva has seen a flurry of new coffee and cafe concepts open recently, a quaint European bakery would be something new.
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