Across Western Avenue from McKinley Park, two doors open into something more than just coffee and clothes: they open into a ritual. Café Consume welcomes early risers with the warmth of a familiar pour, while Consume Vintage invites browsers to rediscover themselves through secondhand style. Run by brothers Andrés and Guillermo Merlos and their mother, Olga, these two shops are more than a family business. They are a rhythm, a reset, a reclamation—one sip, one find, one South Side weekend at a time.
Andrés opened Consume Vintage almost five years ago with a vision to give pre-loved collectibles a second life and create a space where history could be seen and felt. Over the years, the vintage shop has become a destination for those who love the thrill of discovery. Greeting visitors with a Michael Jordan cardboard cutout, bright posters, and racks of old Chicago apparel, it’s a maximalist’s wildest dream. Every rack and corner invites you to slow down, dig in, and discover something that feels meant just for you. Behind the counter, Olga keeps the space grounded with her warmth and wit, offering newcomers a welcome that makes them want to linger a little longer.
The same love for the hunt carries over into the café. Like the vintage seekers who browse the shop, Andrés lives for the rush of stumbling across something rare and giving it new life. For example, the stools in the café were found in a barn out in Muskegon, Michigan. Years of apprenticing at his father’s antique restoration business gave Andrés a resourceful approach that now defines Café Consume’s character.
Opening a café wasn’t part of any detailed life plan; it grew from a gut feeling—a desire to create the coffee shop experience that Andrés craved. “I made something that made me say, this is it. This is what I’ve been looking for. Now I get to share it with a crowd that’s hungry for the same thing,” he said.
Andrés wanted Café Consume to feel more like a kitchen at home—familiar, inviting, and alive with “the mess and the beauty” of a café. There is no wall separating the kitchen from the dining area; customers watch as espresso is poured, drinks are spilled, and bacon sizzles. “That kind of openness,” Andrés said, “creates a connection,” turning a simple cup of coffee into a shared experience.
The café’s menu may be small, but it packs a punch—especially the bacon, egg, and cheese sandwiches served on your choice of a bagel or croissant. The sausage, egg, and cheese is another favorite, prepped smashburger-style for a unique twist. Andrés and Guillermo take pride in crafting many of their ingredients in-house, from cooking up their lovely bourbon vanilla bean syrup to breaking down kilo bricks of dark chocolate to produce a rich mocha sauce. Local bakers supply fresh bread and a trusted butcher delivers the perfect cut of bacon, all part of ensuring every element of the café reflects the care and craftsmanship that make each visit special.
As Consume continues to evolve, Andrés has big plans for what he wants to incorporate into the space: “The outdoor patio has me dreaming . . . live shows, marketplaces, workshops. A space for people with good ideas to bring them to life.” With each new venture, his family’s devotion to craft, care, and the community shines through. Consume is a unique spot that naturally fits into early morning and midday routines, a place that encourages rituals you’ll want to return to again and again. And for me, the ritual is simple: an iced Café Miel with an almendra (almond) croissant in hand, taking in the sounds of Western Ave from their patio.
Consume Vintage, 3452 S. Western Ave. Friday–Monday, 10am–5pm. linktr.ee/consumechicago, or @consumechicago via Instagram
Café Consume, 3452 S. Western Ave. Friday–Monday, 7am–3pm. linktr.ee/consumechicago, or @cafeconsume via Instagram.
Maritza Padilla is a proud South Side Chicago native, loyal White Sox fan, and first-generation University of Michigan alum. She loves to read, get lost in rom-coms, and experiment with creative projects—whether that’s styling outfits, writing, or designing on her iPad. A believer in both astrology and the magic of finding cute trinkets, she brings a curious, creative spark into everything she does. This is Maritza’s first piece for the Weekly.