Pickwick Place: Chicago's Hidden Cafe in a Historic Alley
- 123gochicago
- Oct 22
- 3 min read
If you weren’t looking for it, you’d never find it. Just off State Street — one of Chicago’s busiest shopping corridors — a narrow brick alleyway opens to a quiet courtyard where time seems to slow down. This is Pickwick Place, home to one of Chicago’s most charming hidden gems: Hero Coffee.
A Café with Character
Hero Coffee isn’t just another downtown coffee shop. It’s tucked away in one of the city’s smallest public spaces, surrounded by buildings that date back to the late 19th century. The café itself sits on a site that’s been part of Chicago’s story for more than a century.
The alley, known as Pickwick Place, was originally built in the 1800s as a service path between shops on State Street. Later, it became home to small printing presses, bookshops, and a stable that served the bustling Loop before the automobile age. The tiny courtyard still holds onto that vintage Chicago feel — brick walls, iron details, and an intimate atmosphere that feels worlds away from the noise of downtown.
The Pickwick Stable and Farm
Long before it served lattes, this little corner of Chicago was home to the Pickwick Stable and Farm, one of the earliest service stables in downtown Chicago. Historical accounts place the stable on this site in the late 1800s, operating as a place where horses and delivery wagons were kept for nearby businesses on State and Dearborn Streets.
Owned by Rufus Blanchard, a well-known mapmaker and publisher, the stable was small but essential — one of the few remaining traces of a time when Chicago’s downtown streets were filled with horses instead of cars. The stable was so compact that it’s often described as being only 19 feet wide by 19 feet deep, and the alley leading to it — just nine feet across — remains one of the narrowest in the city.
The stable later became a printing shop and, over time, other small businesses occupied the space. But the charm of its original structure and proportions survived — making it one of the smallest free-standing buildings in the Loop to this day.
A Hidden Café in a Historic Setting
Today, Hero Coffee occupies that same spot, transforming a slice of Chicago’s past into a cozy café. Inside, baristas serve espresso and pour-overs in a space that feels equal parts modern and timeless. The brick walls and narrow alley entrance are reminders that this little shop has roots going back to the city’s early days.
Step outside with your cup and you’ll find a few tables tucked along the alley — perfect for people-watching, reading, or simply taking in the quiet charm of this hidden courtyard. It’s the kind of place that feels discovered rather than visited.
A Secret Worth Finding
Finding Hero Coffee feels like uncovering a secret — the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve found “your spot” in a big city. Whether you’re looking for a quiet moment between meetings, a cozy nook to read, or just one of the best lcups of coffee in the Loop, Hero Coffee delivers.
So next time you’re walking near 22 East Jackson Boulevard, look for the small sign that reads Pickwick Place. Step inside, follow the scent of fresh espresso, and you’ll find yourself in one of the most delightful corners of Chicago — a café with roots that stretch all the way back to the horse-drawn era.
Pickwick Place
22 E. Jackson Blvd.
Chicago, IL 60611
Discover More Hidden Gems
For more hidden gems check out my book Chicago Beyond the Bean, available now. It’s filled with stories that take you beyond the typical tourist spots to explore the city’s most fascinating corners.
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