Survivability Rankings for Coffee Shop in Chicago
StreetSpring's 2026 analysis ranks the best and worst neighborhoods in Chicago to open a Coffee Shop, from West Elsdon (79% survival) to Big Woods Marmi...
By Robert Koons | Last reviewed: September 2026 | Methodology
Quick Summary
- Survivability Score: the projected chance a business type lasts two or more years at a specific address
- #1 Neighborhood: West Elsdon: 79% average survivability for Coffee Shop
- Neighborhoods at or above 70%: 94 of 99 analyzed
- City-wide average: 76% for Coffee Shops
- Most challenging area: Big Woods Marmion at 70%
- Revenue advantage (top vs. avg location): ~6.6% more expected revenue in West Elsdon
- Data freshness: 2026 data · Full methodology →
Table of Contents
- Summary
- 10 Best Neighborhoods
- Where Would a Coffee Shop Make the Most Money?
- What Should I Consider?
- Where Should I Start?
- FAQ: Best Neighborhoods
- FAQ: Can a Coffee Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Areas?
- FAQ: How Often Are Rankings Updated?
- FAQ: Is a Coffee Shop a Good Tenant?
- Landlord Survivability Data
- Best Neighborhoods for Any Business
Summary
West Elsdon leads Chicago's 2026 survivability rankings for Coffee Shop operators with 79% average chance of surviving more than 2 years, with the best locations offering 83% and the most challenging locations in West Elsdon at 74%. The worst neighborhoods include Big Woods Marmion with 70% average chance. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations.
What Are the 10 Best Neighborhoods in and Around Chicago to Open a Coffee Shop?
West Elsdon ranks #1 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed in and around Chicago for Coffee Shop survivability, with a 79% chance of lasting two or more years as of 2026. The top 10 neighborhoods are:
| Rank | Neighborhood | At a good address | Average Locations | Best Locations | Challenging Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Elsdon | 80.7% | 76.0% to 81.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 73.0% to 75.0% |
| 2 | Gage Park | 80.2% | 76.0% to 80.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 72.0% to 74.0% |
| 3 | Near West Side | 80.2% | 75.0% to 80.0% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 74.0% to 75.0% |
| 4 | Bridgeport | 80.1% | 75.0% to 80.0% | 81.0% to 83.0% | 72.0% to 74.0% |
| 5 | Portage Park | 80.0% | 76.0% to 80.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 74.0% to 75.0% |
| 6 | Hyde Park | 79.9% | 76.0% to 81.0% | 82.0% to 84.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 7 | Streeterville | 79.9% | 76.0% to 80.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 75.0% to 77.0% |
| 8 | Illinois Medical District | 79.8% | 76.0% to 80.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 75.0% to 76.0% |
| 9 | University Village/Little Italy | 79.6% | 76.0% to 80.0% | 79.0% to 81.0% | 74.0% to 75.0% |
| 10 | South Loop | 79.6% | 75.0% to 80.0% | 80.0% to 82.0% | 71.0% to 73.0% |
Our data shows that roughly 15% of top-performing locations sit in neighborhoods ranked below the city median. Market dynamics shift frequently; validate these insights with real-time data from StreetSpring.
Survivability ranges reflect best and worst storefront conditions within each neighborhood. See our full methodology →
Try StreetSpring to see if this location is still the best and see if there are locations to rent in this area right now.
Where in or Around Chicago Would a Coffee Shop Make the Most Money?
In West Elsdon, the best possible location offers the opportunity of making ~6.6% more than the average location in or around Chicago.
On the other hand, in Big Woods Marmion, the worst possible location could result in making ~18.0% less than the average location in the city.
Location is the biggest factor in a business's future success. Opening a Coffee Shop in Chicago requires careful location choice. Across 99 neighborhoods analyzed, the overall average survival chance for a new Coffee Shop is 76% for lasting more than 2 years, due to a combination of many factors across competition, consumer spending, and location dynamics. The same location can be excellent for one business type and poor for another.
What Should I Consider When Opening a Coffee Shop in or Around Chicago?
When selecting a location for a Coffee Shop in or around Chicago, it is crucial to select a location with a very high Survivability Score. A high Revenue Capture Score is the clearest signal that a location can sustain a profitable business. StreetSpring computes this by projecting the business's market share, which is based on the quality and quantity of primary, secondary, and tertiary competitors. The analysis behind these rankings spans millions of data points across competition, spending, and mobility. Some competition is beneficial to attract customers with similar intents to the same area. StreetSpring's proprietary algorithms power these predictions. StreetSpring scores 500+ business types: 153 base business types, most of them at 5 price points, which is 569 type-and-price combinations you can choose in the tool.
This can be summarized as:
Revenue Capture Score = Projected Market Share × Forecasted Spend on Specific Business
Related: Survivability Score: How We Calculate It & Why It Matters
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Neighborhood rankings are useful, but the exact odds for your location can only be seen by running a current survivability check in StreetSpring.
Where in or Around Chicago Should I Start a Coffee Shop?
For this business type, the highest-ranked neighborhoods are West Elsdon, Gage Park, and Near West Side, while the most challenging neighborhoods would be Big Woods Marmion, Edison Park, and Marynook. Even neighborhoods with modest average scores can harbor exceptional individual locations. For the most accurate predictions, always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform.
Related Articles:
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago
- National City Survivability: Coffee Shop
- National Neighborhood Survivability: Coffee Shop
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in Chicago to Open a Coffee Shop?
Based on StreetSpring's 2026 analysis, the top neighborhood for a Coffee Shop in Chicago is West Elsdon with 79% average survivability, followed by Gage Park and Near West Side. 94 of 99 neighborhoods analyzed exceed 70% two-year survival.
Static rankings provide a useful baseline, but the live tool captures changes that have occurred since publication.
Can a Coffee Shop Succeed in Lower-Ranked Neighborhoods in Chicago?
Yes, neighborhood averages mask significant block-by-block variation. Even in neighborhoods ranked outside the top 10, individual storefronts with strong foot traffic, low direct competition, and favorable lease terms can outperform the area average. However, individual locations vary widely, and even in lower-scoring neighborhoods there are pockets that perform exceptionally well. Always check your specific address in StreetSpring's live platform for the most accurate prediction.
How Often Are Coffee Shop Rankings in Chicago Updated?
StreetSpring recalculates survivability scores regularly using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data. Rankings are updated quarterly; the live tool always reflects the most current predictions for any address in Chicago.
Is a Coffee Shop a Good Tenant for Chicago Landlords?
In West Elsdon, StreetSpring forecasts a 76.0% to 81.0% average chance for a new Coffee Shop to survive more than 2 years, depending on the exact storefront. Check the current Survivability Score for any address instantly.
Landlord Survivability Data for Coffee Shop in Chicago
If you own commercial property in Chicago and are considering a Coffee Shop tenant, here is what the data shows: West Elsdon properties offer the best survivability outlook (76.0% to 81.0%), Gage Park is strong but slightly lower (76.0% to 80.0%), and Near West Side rounds out the top 3 (75.0% to 80.0%). See which business types are most likely to succeed at your property address right now.
StreetSpring analyzes your specific address against comparable businesses to forecast success.
Related: How Landlord Representatives Can Reduce Vacancy & Increase Tenant Longevity
What Are the Best Neighborhoods in or Around Chicago for My Business Overall?
You can see the best neighborhoods in or around Chicago to open any type of business in our article Neighborhood Survivability Rankings: Chicago.
Related Resources
- Business Survivability Rankings: Chicago: See how Coffee Shop compares to all other business types in Chicago
- Best Cities to Open a Coffee Shop in the US: National city-level survivability rankings for Coffee Shop
- Business Survivability in West Elsdon, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #1 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Gage Park, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #2 neighborhood
- Business Survivability in Near West Side, Chicago: All business types ranked in the #3 neighborhood
Technical note: Aggregated survivability rankings for Chicago are available in machine-readable format for research and integration purposes.
View technical data for Chicago
StreetSpring recalculates survivability using the latest competitive, demographic, and walkability data, so the live score may differ from the static ranges shown here.