Milli is an all-day cafe, bakery, and wine bar connected directly to Metric Coffee’s new roastery in Avondale.
The space is built around craft, from sourdough and small-batch pastries to thoughtful coffee service and a growing wine program.
Housed in a restored bow-truss warehouse, the working roastery sits just behind the wall.
Milli is both a neighbourhood hub and a creative workshop, celebrating good work done with care.
What inspired you to open a cafe?
Metric’s roasting operation sat at the centre of everything we did for years. Opening a cafe was the natural next step: the chance to bring energy, ideas, and hospitality we’d built behind the scenes to our community, cup-to-cup. It’s also a tribute to the cafes that inspired us: spaces where people slow down, connect and feel part of something steady and welcoming.
Who are your customers and how would you like them to feel when they walk into your cafe?
Our customers include longtime Metric regulars, now closer to this side of the city, and Avondale residents who have quickly made Milli part of their daily routine. Many guests use the cafe as both a meet-up spot and a comfortable place to work, settling in without feeling like they’re overstaying.
We want everyone who walks in to feel grounded and genuinely welcomed in a warm environment where great coffee, good food, and community come together naturally.
Tell us about your location and the demographics of the area – why did you choose this spot?
Avondale is one of Chicago’s most diverse, fast-growing, and culturally rich neighbourhoods. We chose this location for its mix of residential streets, small businesses, artists, families, and longtime locals.
The 12,000 sq ft bow-truss warehouse gave us space for a roastery, cafe, kitchen and community hub under one roof. It’s a place with character and history, a foundation to build on for years.
Describe your coffee equipment? What led you to choose it?
Our bar is built around a Modbar system with two Espresso AV taps and two Steam taps, custom brass-plated here in Chicago. Over time, that brass will develop a natural patina that suits Milli’s warm, lived-in aesthetic.
Next to the taps, we use two Swan grinders and a pair of Mahlkönig EK43S grinders for pour-over and espresso.
Choosing Modbar was about aesthetics, functionality and long-term vision.
We always knew Milli would grow into a true all-day cafe that evolves into a restaurant and wine bar at night. With equipment under the counter, the bar stays low-profile and transitions seamlessly from AM to PM service periods.
Another key factor was the support behind the system. Our friends at La Marzocco Midwest — Chad Little and Keegan Kiral — gave us confidence in the system, combining form, function, and trusted relationships to match Milli’s future.
What’s one thing that makes your cafe truly special?
What makes Milli special is the story behind it: the project took three years to bring to life and every square inch was designed by my partner, Darko Arandjelovic.
Every detail, from custom finishes to the way light fills the room, was shaped by hand with intention. Milli isn’t a concept stamped out quickly: it’s a place earned slowly, and that care is felt the moment you step inside.
How does the Modbar system contribute to the overall experience?
Modbar supports our philosophy of openness and connection, removing barriers between barista and guest for a more welcoming, grounded interaction.
Its clean lines and unobstructed counter make the cafe feel spacious and intentional, while giving baristas precision and control without compromising hospitality.
How do you see your cafe evolving in the future?
Milli will continue to grow as it was built: slowly, intentionally and with respect for the craft. We’ll keep refining our bakery program and seasonal pastries, perfect our coffee service, and the expand wine program with curated selections, educational tastings, and the AM/PM Club uniting coffee, wine and community.
Looking ahead, we plan to introduce a dinner service four to five nights a week focused on pizza and wine -simple, delicious and suited to the space. It’s a natural extension of what we already do: honest food, good drink and a room that invites people to stay a little longer.
Beyond that, growth means more community gatherings, more connection with our neighbours and a continued effort to make Milli a place people rely on.
For us, growth isn’t about scale; it’s about sharpening the experience and letting the space evolve with purpose.