Patch Naperville, IL --"Good to the last drop."
It may be the slogan for Maxwell House coffee, but it can just as easily be applied to the way loyal customers feel about the soon to be shuttered Caribou Coffee at 1523 N. Aurora Rd.
*Earlier: *Caribou Coffee Closing 3 Naperville Locations; 5 Total in DuPage County This Weekend
The location, which has been in business for about 17 years, is one of three in Naperville that will close their doors at noon Sunday, April 14. Caribou's 686 E. Ogden Ave. Naperville location will remain open.
Doug Kwiecinski, manager of the Aurora Road location for seven years, said he and his nine employees were hit hard by the news when it was announced Friday.
"It’s kind of become numbing," Kwiecinski said. "I know it’s happening and it’s sad, and now I feel bad for the customers. But I’m here to be strong for them and for the team."
At first glance on Monday afternoon, it may have been hard for the average Joe to tell that the coffee shop was closing in just six days.
Tables were filled and business seemed to be booming. A few customers gathered around the front counter and were chatting about how news of the store's closing came as a surprise.
"It's just sad. It's really sad," said Carrie Groener, a former employee of the shop and current loyal customer.
Groener said even though she doesn't work at the shop anymore, she still drives from North Aurora to frequent the Naperville location multiple times a week.
"I usually come in here about three days a week," she said. "There's other people that I know that have been coming in here every single day for years."
Other coffee lovers responded to the news on Naperville Patch's Facebook page.
"My husband, Nick Kariotakis and I met at the Caribou on N Aurora. Hate to see them go." - Deanna Kariotakis
"Bummed :(" - Ruth Sheahan
"I am really upset about this. I met my husband at a Caribou Coffee and we love going there. We even featured the Bruce Cost ginger ale we discovered there at our wedding." - Melanie Parker-Alaspa
"It sucks, Cairbou has great coffee and great employees." - Justin Feld
"So sad! I love Caribou!" - Jeanette Marchiando Golk
Kwiecinski wrote one final message to his customers on the shop's chalkboard this weekend, thanking them for their support over the years.
The decision to close Caribou locations relates to a corporate acquisition of Caribou by Joh. A. Benckiser Group (JAB) in December. The same company had also acquired another large coffee company, Peet's Coffee & Tea Inc., in October.
There are 66 stores in Illinois, but exactly which will close is uncertain.
According to Kwiecinski, the stores that remain open will "slowly refocus" on becoming Peet's Coffee & Tea Company, a San Fransisco-based company which has nearly 200 locations nationwide.
For the next six days, Kwiecinski said he will be focusing on saying goodbye to customers and staying positive.
"I’m just focused on keeping the team as positive and as upbeat as I can. I’m just trying to be their guide for these last few days," he said. "I think there’s a lot of negativity going on, but I want to focus on the good that I got from this company because that’s what I remember. I’ve had seven great years."
After he pours his final cup at the location Sunday, Kwiecinski said he hopes to stay within the coffee business, but he's not certain what the future holds.
"Right now, it’s just setting up the resume, throwing seeds out and hoping one starts and hoping and praying my friend." Reported by Patch 9 hours ago.