When Julie and Lou Rubin opened the first Hometown Coffee & Juice in Glencoe in 2018, their goal was simple: create the kind of neighborhood gathering place they felt their community was missing.
The couple, who have lived in Glencoe since 1999, envisioned more than just a traditional coffee shop. Instead, they wanted a welcoming, all-day café where families, professionals, and neighbors of all ages could come together, whether for a morning coffee, a business meeting, or catching up with an old friend over a leisurely afternoon meal.
“Coffee is at the core,” they say, “but we wanted it to be a place where people of all ages could gather.”
What began as a small but intentional concept has since grown into a North Shore success story. Hometown now has locations in Winnetka, Lake Forest, and Glenview, with another opening planned for Northbrook later this year. Yet despite its expansion, the Rubins have focused on preserving the neighborhood feel that made the original café so attractive.
The idea for Hometown started as a “pipe dream,” according to the Rubins—a shared vision to create a space that felt welcoming and comfortable for the community they loved. The response was immediate. Soon after opening, customers from neighboring towns began asking the Rubins to bring Hometown to their communities.
“That’s when we realized it might be more than just one location,” they say.
Each new café has followed the same philosophy: build a connection with the local community first. The Rubins and their team spend time getting to know each neighborhood before opening, ensuring each location reflects the character of the area it serves.
That commitment to community was especially important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many businesses, Hometown had to adapt quickly. The team introduced a mobile ordering app, expanded outdoor patios, added heaters for year-round seating, and created curbside pickup and walk-up ordering windows.
The changes were born out of necessity, but they ultimately helped the business grow.
“We focused on what the community needed and making sure people felt comfortable and safe,” they say. “It became a place people could still go during that time.”
Part of Hometown’s appeal is its flexible, all-day café model, a format that has surged in popularity in recent years. Customers can stop in for a quick coffee, settle in for a work meeting, or linger over lunch without feeling rushed.
“There’s no expectation that you leave,” the Rubins explain. “People can stay on their own terms.”
The menu reflects that same versatility. Designed to appeal to everyone from young children to seniors, it includes coffee, fresh-pressed juices, salads, sandwiches, and comfort favorites. Recently, Hometown has expanded its culinary offerings by bringing on a chef with experience from the Gibsons Restaurant Group to develop seasonal and experimental menu items.
Equally important to the Rubins is the sense of community behind the counter. Many employees are local students or children of friends and neighbors, helping strengthen the café’s ties to the neighborhoods it serves. Regular customers are often greeted by name, and two of the café locations offer an event space for celebrations, organizations, and more.
For visitors, the locations also offer a convenient way to explore the North Shore. Each café sits within walking distance of local train stations and the surrounding downtown areas.
Ultimately, what sets Hometown apart is the experience it offers: the comfort and culture of a neighborhood coffee shop combined with the quality food and hospitality of a restaurant.
For anyone looking to spend a morning working, meeting friends for lunch, or simply enjoying a great cup of coffee in a welcoming space, Hometown Coffee & Juice has become exactly what the Rubins hoped to create: a true gathering place for the community.
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