doejo

Noble Tree Coffee and Tea opened in the college-town neighborhood of Lincoln Park in February 2008. Built in a rehabbed three-story 19th century brownstone house, Noble Tree as a cafe and community hangout evokes a quant, homey atmosphere.

Three stories of vintage furniture, wingback chairs and endless bookcases have reviewers describing the space as like taking a visit to “your eccentric aunt’s house.” Noble Tree’s charm alone sets it apart from cookie-cutter coffeehouses―especially in its details: Free WEBbeams WiFi, walls covered in local artists work, cushy armchairs perfect for long study sessions, stacks of board games and a paper-plane covered chandelier on the ground floor, for example. 

It’s no wonder the space often plays host as a picturesque wedding venue. As a rentable space, Noble Tree also hosts regular events from groups like the Chicago Nerds Social Club’s Science Fiction and Fantasy Bookclub and acts as a community office space for members of Jelly Chicago, a social network of freelancers and budding entrepreneurs.

And then there’s the coffee and pastries. Noble Tree serves locally roasted Metropolis Coffee as well as Hoosier Mama Pie Co., Bobtail Ice Cream and in the past, other local bakeries Bleeding Heart Bakery and Alliance Bakery. The thoughtful baristas know regulars by name and take their artisan lattes and loose leaf teas very seriously. 

Noble Tree is also where Doejo co-founders Phil Tadros and Darren Marshall met. Marshall was working on his laptop at Noble Tree when Tadros discovered his talents. Marshall is now the creative director and co-founder of Doejo.

Signage and illustrations for Noble Tree Coffee and Tea was commissioned from Chicago illustrator Angel D’Amico who teamed up with Doejo designers.

The Chicago Tribune’s MetroMix reviewed Noble Tree saying, “It's a place where pie eaters and bookworms alike can come together and enjoy their solitude, get lost in a great read or catch up with friends.” In 2008, the Chicago Tribune listed Noble Tree as one of the city’s “8 Great Spots to Read” and in 2010, CBS Chicago named Noble Tree one of the “Best Coffeehouses in Chicago.”

Design and style blog, Refinery 29 described Noble Tree as “Chicago’s cure for the common coffeeshop,” in a feature profiling editor’s picks for “Chicago's Coolest Coffee Shops.”

Noble Tree was closed in January 2012. For more information about it’s closure read our blog.