Dutch Bros Coffee is coming to Bloomington, starting work on a new $1.8 million, 1,100-square-foot location near Eastland Mall and Veterans Parkway.
It’ll be on the site of the former Bandana's barbecue restaurant in the 500 block of IAA Drive. Demolition has already begun at the former restaurant, city officials said. The Dutch Bros Building will include space for a second restaurant tenant whose name has not been released. City officials said only that it “has a strong presence across Illinois."
Dutch Bros is a popular drive-through coffee chain. Since 1992 it has grown to over 1,000 locations across 18 different states, offering a variety of hot and cold coffees, energy drinks, and more. Until now, the closest location to Bloomington-Normal was about 120 miles away in Lafayette, Indiana. Dutch Bros is also adding a location in Urbana this year.
Mayor Dan Brady said this is another example of a national brand choosing to come to Bloomington.
"These investments represent more than new buildings—they represent jobs, opportunity, and confidence in our city's future. We're building a Bloomington that works for everyone," Brady said in a statement.
The new coffee shop is located inside an economic development area known as the Empire Street Corridor TIF District, which provides tax incentives for certain projects in the area.
City officials say this project is among more than $100 million in new development since the Bloomington City Council approved the city’s new Department of Development Services less than a year ago.
Bandana's Barbecue has moved and reopened at 305 N. Veterans Parkway, Bloomington.
