A River Forest couple have begun work to transform a former clothing boutique in Downtown Oak Park into an approachable French restaurant.
Lea French Street Food is slated to open in spring 2017 at 106 N. Marion St., said Colleen Wagner, who will run the restaurant with her husband, Nicolas Caulliez. The space formerly housed Muse, which closed in early 2016.
The fast-casual French eatery will offer breakfast, lunch and dinner every day with a focus on high-quality ingredients. This is the couple’s first restaurant.
“It just seemed like a great time for us in our careers,” Wagner said. “We’re super excited to do it so close to home.”
Wagner and Caulliez, both architects, have lived in River Forest for more than three years; previously, they spent a decade in Europe, with eight of those years in Paris.
Wagner said they’re hoping to dispel the idea that all French food is stuffy and pricey. Lea will focus on sandwiches and salads, quiches and soups, with baked-in-house baguettes and brioche. Most prices will range from $7 to $10, and they’ll offer a selection of wine and beer as well.
“What we’re trying to do with our restaurant is the simple, high-quality foods you would get at the bistros,” Wagner said. “I guess we’re trying to take the pretentiousness out of French foods.”
Given their backgrounds — Wagner has managed design and construction for Apple and McDonald’s — the look and feel of the restaurant is important to Wagner and Caulliez. She said they’re working to create a space that’s modern but also cozy and comfortable.
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A pastry case will greet customers as they walk in, and an open kitchen will show food as it’s being prepared. Digital kiosks will streamline the ordering process, allowing for easier customization, and, by linking to the restaurant’s loyalty program, the ability to recall a customer’s previous order, Wagner said.
While Caulliez, a chef and baker, will handle the culinary side of things, “we’re both passionate about design and customer experience,” she said.
Wagner said the landlord currently is doing significant work to the 2,700-square-foot space. The renovation will incorporate 15-foot ceilings and lots of natural wood into the space, which will offer about 50 seats.
Wagner said the landlord’s work is expected to wrap up in February, at which point she and Caulliez will begin their portion of the work, with expected completion and restaurant opening in May. With the old black awning removed, Wagner said the space already looks much different.
Wagner said they’ve always admired Marion Street and are excited to join fellow small business owners within the Downtown Oak Park business district.
“It’s got a really good neighborhood-type feel,” she said.
Viktor Schrader, economic development manager for the Oak Park Economic Development Corporation, said he looks forward to seeing such a unique, design-forward use in the space.
“It’s a different flavor than we have in Oak Park,” he noted. And the hybrid fast-casual experience — ordering at kiosks but having food brought to the table by waitstaff — means patrons won’t lose the charm of a European cafe, he added.
Lea French Street Food, at 106 N. Marion St. in Oak Park, will be open from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day. For more information, find Lea French Street Food on Facebook.
Caitlin Mullen is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.