Cup & Spoon in the WOW: a Dream Plan come true for Rosie Quasarano

Rosie Quasarano

From the time she was a little girl growing up in Lansing, Michigan, Rosie Quasarano wanted to have her own business. Now she does. Her Dream Plan became Cup & Spoon and it is in DreamBox Gallery, 2415 W. North Ave., in the WOW District (West of Western). 

Armed with an advertising degree after graduating from college in Michigan, Quasarano set off for New York and then came to Chicago working as a copywriter in the ad biz. 

So, after paying off her student loans she began saving to implement her Dream Plan. Throughout her 30 some years, she thought that she would be able to realize her plan after she retired.  

However, with her interests in meeting and talking with people, as well as hearing their stories, Quasarano realized that her desk job was not fulfilling her own goals. 

As a "calculating dreamer," however, she knew early this year that though she had a Dream Plan fund she needed more money. 

Indiegogo, a crowd sourcing site, provided a mechanism for her to leap toward her "retirement plan" this spring. How could she not? There she was with her Dream Plan in hand standing in Iwona Beidermann's DreamBox Gallery! 

Utiizing the front part of the 2415 W. North Ave. building that Biedermann purchased close to a dozen years ago, Cup & Spoon is more than a place that serves coffee, tea and food. 

Part of the WOW Frequency gallery space

By jointly providing a platform and showcase for artists Biedermann and Quasarano believe that they are creating stronger community in an urban setting. 

Biedermann will continue to hold exhibitions in the DreamBox gallery space in back of Cup & Spoon, while she and Quasarano implement a combined plan for the WOW Frequency space on the walls in the Cup & Spoon. 

Artists interested in exhibiting may submit an online application. 

Cup & Spoon's food service operation plan was to "start small, do well with what we have, hear the feedback from people about want they expect of a coffee shop then grow," explained Quasarano.  

And, that is what she and her team of five are doing. Quasarano explained that behind and in front of the counter at Cup & Spoon her paid family and friends are what make it all run and run smoothly. 

Checkout area of a long counter

On target with their growth plan since their May 18 opening, they have just introduced, ahead of schedule, serving sandwiches. 

Already locally sourcing their bread from Crumb Bread and preserves from Pear Tree Preserves, they have teamed up with Rosie's West Town Deli, 1021 N Western Ave., for their meats. Expectations are that more people will be ordering takeouts as well coming in for lunch. 

Hours
Cup & Spoon with WOW Frequency are open during the week from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Hours extended until 10 p.m. when they have special events.

DreamBox Gallery's hours are from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturdays during exhibitions and by appointment via phone 773.292.0419 or via email. 

Future
In addition to expanding their food menu, the blending of art talent is "on the menu."  Their rotating art displays will be added to by events such as poetry, music and open mic. 

Whether or not you live in or near the "hood," Cup & Spoon should be on your destination map.