A new Capital One Café will open at 1465 E. 53rd Street, bringing what the company calls “a reimagined way to experience banking to the South Side.” The Café is scheduled to open on Thursday, October 9, with a grand opening event on Monday, November 11, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“We believe strong communities and strong businesses go hand-in-hand, which is why we are thrilled to be opening this new location in partnership with the University of Chicago,” said Ryan Laudenbach, Capital One Chicago Market Lead. “Our hope is that the Café will provide the community with the resources they need and more.”
Capital One Cafés can host community events, networking forums, and study groups. The Café’s semi-private spaces and nooks can be a resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners needing to make phone calls, conduct meetings, or get some work done, adding to the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Hyde Park catalyzed by the University of Chicago’s Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, located right upstairs (Polsky Exchange South/Fab Lab). Community room space, which will be able to be reserved online, will be free for registered nonprofit, alumni, and student groups. All space is available on a first come/first served basis.
At the Cafés, customers can easily get help with their accounts, learn about new digital and financial tools, utilize ATMs, access free Wi-Fi, use the space to work or study, or simply grab a cup of Peet’s Coffee or a pastry, with a 50% discount on purchases for Capital One account holders. The Café features interactive screens with information on money basics, events, and more, and also offers a free, confidential Money Coaching program or group Money Workshops, open to both customers and the community. The Cafe is open to everyone, not just Capital One customers.
“The financial education aspect of the Capital One Café, in addition to their commitment to the community, makes this an important addition to Hyde Park,” said Derek Douglas, Vice President for Civic Engagement and External Affairs.
Capital One Cafés partner with local bakeries to bring neighborhood flavor into the Café space and work with local community organizations such as the Chicago Urban League, South Side Community Federal Credit Union, Women’s Business Development Center, Preservation for Affordable Housing (POAH), and others. Once the Hyde Park location is open, the local team looks forward to working with additional organizations in Hyde Park and the South Side.
There are currently 38 Capital One Cafés across the country, including three in Chicago, with locations on State Street, Southport Avenue, and Clybourn Street. The Hyde Park Café is Capital One’s first location on the South Side.
