Popular breakfast restaurant enhances mixed-use appeal of fully leased Optima Verdana, represents second Egg Habor location in an Optima community
Integrated design-driven real estate firm Optima, Inc. announced today the grand opening of a new Egg Harbor Cafe location at Optima Verdana, its six-story, 100-unit luxury apartment community in downtown Wilmette, Ill. The 4,100-square-foot restaurant will have seating for 140 and be located at 707 Green Bay Road, directly across from Wilmette’s Metra commuter rail station.
Currently fully leased, the residences at Optima Verdana opened in 2023 to high demand due to its prime North Shore location, deep amenity package and wide selection of floor plans, ranging in size from 660 to 2,790 square feet. The built-in foot traffic from residents, as well as Optima Verdana’s proximity to the Metra and other downtown Wilmette retailers, were strong factors in Egg Harbor Cafe’s decision, noted David Hovey Jr., AIA, president of Optima, Inc.
“Optima Verdana’s diverse resident base — which ranges from urban commuters and young families to empty nesters and retirees — values quality, convenience and community connection,” said Hovey. “Egg Harbor Cafe at Optima Verdana will not only enhance the living experience for our residents, but also serve as an amenity for the surrounding neighborhood.”
Specializing in breakfast, brunch and lunch, Egg Harbor Cafe operates locations in Illinois, Wisconsin and Georgia. The new Wilmette location represents the second Egg Harbor within an Optima community, joining Egg Harbor Cafe Streeterville, which opened in 2019 at the 490-unit Optima Signature luxury apartment high-rise in downtown Chicago, just east of Michigan Avenue.
“Welcoming Egg Harbor first to Streeterville and now to Wilmette reflects Optima’s strategy of attracting commercial tenants that align with the lifestyles and daily needs of our residents,” added Hovey.
“After the incredible response to our Streeterville location at Optima Signature, expanding to downtown Wilmette at Optima Verdana felt like a natural next step,” said Graham Hallen, head of brand growth at Egg Harbor. “The opportunity to open in such a desirable location with exceptional visibility positions Egg Harbor Cafe Wilmette to serve residents and the broader community for a long time. Optima’s meticulous approach to design and placemaking found in its high-quality developments, such as Optima Verdana, made the decision an easy one.”
The new Egg Harbor location will have even more customers due to Optima’s plans for a new 128-unit luxury residential building just south of Optima Verdana. Known as Optima Lumina, the project will replace the long-vacant former Imperial Motors car dealership. Optima intends to retain the existing Starbucks at 739 Green Bay Road within Optima Lumina’s nearly 5,900 square feet of new commercial space. Optima Verdana and Optima Lumina will be separated by a new public, landscaped plaza containing seating, public art and a fountain, which will be visible from the buildings’ retail spaces.
“The success of Optima Verdana not only demonstrates an overwhelming demand for thoughtfully designed, luxury new-construction multifamily housing on the North Shore, but also underscores the interest among top-tier commercial tenants seeking Class A retail space in prestigious markets such as downtown Wilmette,” added Hovey. “We’ve seen tremendous enthusiasm from Optima Verdana residents, who have been eagerly anticipating Egg Harbor’s opening and further enhancing the vibrant, walkable lifestyle that defines this community.”
About Optima, Inc.:
Optima, Inc. is a family owned, design-driven real estate development firm with offices in Illinois and Arizona. For more than 40 years, Optima® has been developing, designing, building, marketing and managing striking urban and suburban luxury residential communities. From the beginning, Optima® aimed to reinvent housing by integrating the functions involved in new construction within one company. Optima® controls and executes every aspect of the process in-house – development, design, construction, sales and management – for a dynamic system that offers greater focus and fluidity. Optima® is committed to delivering extraordinary living through design, innovation, sustainability and management. The result has been the creation of over 40 communities in Arizona and Illinois, along with being nationally recognized with over 100 prestigious awards. In 2021, Optima® was named AIA Chicago Firm of the Year as well as a Crain’s Best Places to Work for the second year in a row. Learn more at Optima, Inc.
About Egg Habor:
Egg Harbor Café is a growing brunch spot with 26 locations spreading across Illinois, Georgia, and Wisconsin. As a family-owned company involving three generations, customers will always receive the highest quality ingredients, always carefully sourced and often all-natural or organic. Founded in 1985 in Hinsdale, IL, the company has grown to have over 800 employees. There are extensive menu offerings including premium fair trade coffee sourced from the finest small family growers, extensive gluten free menu, breakfast cocktails, egg dishes, and more. For more information you can visit www.eggharborcafe.com.
Optima Verdana_Exterior: The new Egg Harbor Cafe Wilmette occupies a prominent ground-floor corner at Optima Verdana, fronting Green Bay Road in downtown Wilmette, Ill. (Credit Bill Timmerman)
Optima Verdana_Transit-Oriented Development: Located directly across from the Wilmette Metra station, Egg Harbor Cafe at Optima Verdana sits within the heart of the Wilmette village center, offering walkable access for both residents and visitors. (Credit Bill Timmerman)