Looking for an authentically artsy hang and one of the cheapest cups of java in town?
Push through the bulky wood doors and into the bohemian sphere of this art space-cum-coffeehouse. With beautifully aged, lime-green walls, slate-blue antique mirrors, exposed beams and boundless charm, it's tempting to assume the cafe has maintained exclusive status thanks solely to overprotective West Loop residents. Look around and you'll appreciate their defensive grasp; they've got a good thing going together. Jupiter provides neighbors with one of the few local outlets to meet and relax, and generous patron contributions give the cafe its unique energy and identity.
The space, formerly a showroom for the owner John Dymond's art, made the jump to coffeehouse when community members pleaded for a comfortable spot to sit and sip. When Jupiter met the challenge, appreciation began spilling in from locals and area artists who had tables, chairs and coolers to spare. Other contributions, such as fresh roses adorning the cafe, are sporadic gifts from doting neighbors. In a small aquarium near the back, visitors can find the house mascot, a 10-year-old Red Eared Slider turtle named Bebe—admirers volunteer to refresh the tank weekly and, if she's lucky, plod down to the docks.
Check out original oil on canvas from local artists (and Mars Gallery mainstays), or stop in for a quiche with green onions, a cup of Vietnamese coffee or a slice of its homemade—and other-worldly—rum cake. Open-minded guests can relax compliments of the cafe's supernatural spin; the documented Fulton Street Vortex, an energy field known to induce creativity and comfort, runs through the back corner of the cafe.
Though the back area still features an extensive constellation of Dymond's glasswork, he's shifted the focus back to the clientele—comprised mainly of Fulton Market day crowd and workers. On the verge of subtle but dramatic renovations, Jupiter in-the-know guests can expect more product, baked goods, a formal kitchen and, by request, booze.
Centerstage Reviewer: Libby Ramer
