Tala Coffee Public Patio
Strengthening a high traffic corridor with a repurposed gas station turned cafe and community place
Once a Texaco gas station, the southeast corner of Green Bay Road and Winnetka Avenue now serves as a cafe and patio space. The Village of Winnetka renovated the property and leased it to Tala Coffee Roasters, with both partners shaping the design through charrettes led by Teska.
The design creates a welcoming entrance and decorative hardscape at the intersection, with flexible space that accommodates daily cafe uses and large events. Custom precast planters and fencing reference the adjacent bridge motifs, celebrating Winnetka and Indian Hill District identity. The team incorporated Village standard streetscape features and coordinated the design with IDOT requirements. This public-private partnership has become a catalyst for reinvestment and new corridor developments.
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Former gas station repurposed as a cafe and patio space
Public-private partnership between the Village and Tala Coffee Roasters
Design charrettes with both partners
Flexible space for daily cafe uses and large events
Custom precast planters and fencing that reference adjacent bridge motifs
Village standard streetscape features, coordinated with IDOT requirements
Catalyst for reinvestment and new corridor developments
“The coffee shop is a community hub, and so far [I have] been happy to see young families and neighbors come through.”
- Joanna Tong, Tala Coffee Roasters
SERVICES
Landscape Architecture
CLIENT
Village of Winnetka & Tala Coffee Roasters
PARTNERS
Ciorba Group