Sopraffina.com

Sopraffina First Class Market, located at 10 N. Dearborn St., Chicago is the prototype on which the Sopraffina Marketcaffè concept was based. It was opened in 1991 in a narrow storefront of 1100 square feet doing only carryout business.

In 1993 the two adjacent storefronts became available and the entire 3,700 square foot space was closed for 5 weeks and modified to its present 105 seat design.

On its re-opening day in early November 1993, the enthusiastic customer response so far surpassed projections that the restaurant ran out of food and had to close early. A year and a half later the most frequently heard request by customers was 'why don't you add more space?' Thoughts immediately turned to expansion of the concept and in February 1996 the second Sopraffina Marketcaffè; opened at the AT&T/USG Corporate Center at 200 W. Adams. This 5200 square foot space also became an instant success and has on a daily basis consistently served over 500 guests for breakfast and 1200 guests for lunch.

In October 1997 a third location was opened in another of Chicago's 'trophy' office towers, this time in the Aon Center at 200 E. Randolph, the city's second tallest structure. This highly successful location is also open for both breakfast and lunch.

Dramatic increases in both real estate and construction costs, coupled with a substantial downturn in the economy in 2001 necessitated a complete review of the concept's space requirements. This resulted in the creation of the fourth Sopraffina, a highly efficient 'compact' restaurant of just 2800 square feet. This Sopraffina debuted in March, 2002 at the Illinois Center Complex at 111 E. Wacker Drive. It is open for breakfast and lunch, five days a week.

The company's fifth Sopraffina opened in December, 2003 in the 175 W. Jackson Building. At just 3100 square feet, this Sopraffina serves breakfast and lunch to workers in the financial district and the nearby Chicago Board of Trade.

As other companies expand more rapidly, Sopraffina Marketcaffè as a company is committed to selecting prime locations and adding a new restaurant only when they have developed the management team within the company that is capable of taking on the new challenge. A steady growth of approximately one new restaurant a year for the next 5 years is anticipated. Opportunities to expand to markets outside the Chicago area will be evaluated on a case by case basis.

All Sopraffina Marketcaffès are independently owned and are managed by Italian Market Managers, L.L.C., owner of the concept and a subsidiary of The Rosenthal Group, Inc., a developer and manager of fine restaurants in Chicago for over 15 years.