Monarch is more than a cafe. It’s a space to slow down, share stories, and foster something meaningful — powered by the strength of the Rogers Park community. This is a cafe where good food meets real conversation, and meaningful connections are made.
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What if a cafe wasn’t just a place to grab coffee?
Monarch Community Cafe is a place to slow down and build something deeper. At Monarch, we believe in connection. That’s why we are building a space where deeper friendships and delicious food go hand-in-hand.
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Why Monarch Community Cafe?
At Monarch, we believe food and coffee should do more than satisfy hunger — they should nourish connection. In the wake of COVID, many of us felt just how deep the ache for belonging had grown. The Surgeon General has even called loneliness an epidemic. We believe spaces like Monarch are part of the solution.
Intentional space, made for gathering: Spacious and open cafe with ample seating, cozy corners, inviting tables, and a kids’ play area.
Open when it matters: Monday–Saturday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., so you always have a dependable spot to meet up with friends, work, or unwind. Morning or evening.
Fresh, vibrant food: Sandwiches, salads, bowls, coffee, tea, and more — made fresh daily and served with care and purpose.
Rooted in Rogers Park: Family owned and operated by people who live here and love it.
We live in a neighborhood of over 55,000 people, and yet it’s easy to pass each other on the street without ever learning a name.
Meet The Owners / Our Story
Hi! We’re Lynn and Josh Marshall, partners in life and in this dream.
We’re longtime food service professionals who have shared a deep love for cafes — not just for what they serve, but for the stories they hold.
From training as a barista in Chicago to managing cafes and supporting small food businesses, we’ve spent years learning how to create spaces where people feel seen, welcomed, and connected.
We’ve called Rogers Park home since 2019, and we’re raising our two daughters here. Together as a family, we’re building Monarch to be an inviting and delicious gathering place for this community.
