About Us

Our Story

necessary & sufficient coffee® began as a project rooted in art and social change.

The café was founded in 2019 by a full-time working artist, Kate Vrijmoet, and was designed to offer locals a place to connect and slow down. It got its humble start in a tiny business district of Logan Square as a take-out window with an art studio operating in the back. Within four years, six additional businesses opened on the same block. We didn’t do it alone, but we were part of a visible shift toward local investment in community.

In 2023, we opened a second location, a sit-down café in Printer’s Row. This location offers seating and a kitchen serving a larger selection of high-quality breakfast and lunch options. All of which, we do while keeping the same attention to specialty coffee, sustainability and hospitality.

Our Values

Specialty Coffee

We’re selective in our partnerships without compromising quality.

The coffee we serve scores in the 90s in both cupping and the Specialty Coffee Association (SCA), a distinction no other Chicago café or roaster currently claims. We believe exceptional coffee should be sustainably sourced and transparently priced. That’s why we partner with award-winning Olympia Coffee Roasting Company.

Sustainability in Practice

We are proud that both café locations are ran on a zero-waste model. Our cafe eliminates single use plastics by offering compostable cups, cutlery, and other to-go containers. We’re not afraid to get our hands dirty! Every day, we sort through our compost and recycling to limit risk of contamination. We also partner with Shedd Aquarium’s Let’s Shedd Plastic Program and other local organizations to connect what we do behind to counter to real environmental impact.

Commitment to Hospitality

Our excellent hospitality sets us apart. Every team member is committed to building lasting connections and leaving a positive impact on our communities. Something that allows us to consistently provide high quality service is our Living Wage for US Certification. Equitable pay and other essential benefits gives our team the capacity to live comfortably and pass along that same level of care.

Matcha Latte with an empanada from Savory Crust
Drip coffee heaven, Morning Sun from Olympia Coffee Roasters
Practicing the pull through latte art
Espresso flight
Beacon Vegan Doughnuts, a Chicago favorite
Preparing our signature beverage, The Smoking Gun
Michele Millan Patisserie Almond Croissants are divine and go well with all of our beverages
Our classic avocado toast.
Latte and tarot with Sarah Bourne
Chorizo breakfast burrito, hearty breakfast
New vegetarian breakfast sandwich, made with house tomato relish
Bagel and cream cheese
Oatmeal bowl, we have sweet and savory options
Busy cafe day
the vibe, the mood at the open window
Hot cocoa and pastry
The local scene at the window
hot cocoa and croissant
Annual winter fave, campfire hot cocoa with a katherine anne's vanilla marshmallow!
Sarah in Logan Square cafe pouring steamed milk
A wooden shelf holding five different bags of Olympia Coffee with various colorful labels, ranging from top to bottom: Big Truck, 20th Anniversary Blend, Gachathaini Peaberry, Decaf Asterisk, and three bags of Sweetheart and three bags of Little Budd
sifting matcha powder
Iced blackberry matcha
Seasonal pastries
A woman smiling while pouring coffee from a poursteady pourover machine
Coffee brewing setup on a wooden shelf with a black cup and saucer, a pour-over coffee dripper, glass containers, and a wooden cutting board, partially obscured by large green leaves.
Multiple dark brown bottles of hand wash labeled with scents such as Tobacco & Bay Leaf, Rosemary & Mint, and Moss & Amber, arranged on a wooden shelf.
A dark green T-shirt hanging on a clothing rack with text that reads "100% Arabica at all times is necessary & sufficient coffee." The T-shirt features an image of baristas preparing coffee, with a warm, cozy cafe background.
Display of various kitchen and dining items including towels, plates, candles, coasters, coffee drippers, cups, and bowls.
Four baristas gathered around a coffee shop counter, clinking coffee cups and smiling, with one woman in the center holding a small ceramic cup and a drip coffee pot in front of her on the counter.
Barista at the synesso
Person pouring milk into a cup of coffee in a coffee shop.
A cup of latte with heart and leaf latte art on top, placed on a matching cup and saucer on a marble table.
Person pouring green matcha latte into a clear glass with a wavy design on a marble countertop.
Barista whisking mocha for iced mocha latte
A sliced vegetable wrap with grilled green tortilla, showing layers of sliced turkey, vegetables, and a romaine lettuce base, served on a wooden board with a drink in the background.
A breakfast or brunch spread with toast, prosciutto, berries, salad with mozzarella, green drink, and cappuccino with latte art.
Close-up of a wooden serving board with three different types of open-faced appetizers, including a slice of bread with guacamole and pickled red onions, a slice with cheese, tomato, and herbs, and a slice with whipped cheese, meat, and crispy greens
A wooden serving board with six different types of tapas or canapés, each topped with various ingredients, arranged in a line. In the background, there is a green striped jar with a straw and a person partially visible.
Sandwiches, cubano, spinach wrap, bahn mi
Person holding a dark blue cup of coffee with latte art in a matching saucer, with a floral or patterned scarf and a jacket partially visible.