By Jotham Bailey, Guest Contributor
In August 2025, Matt Sharp, a seven-year resident of Wheaton, was coaching a flag football practice one evening when he mentioned the need for a coffee shop at the College Avenue train station. Sharp has commuted to work in Chicago via the UP-W train line since he moved to the area, and remarked that there hadn’t been any renewed interest in the space since the previous coffee business, Java Connection, closed during COVID-19.
“And this one day the idea sort of hit me,” he said. “I started taking steps, exploring the idea with the city , creating the brand and concept, and by the end of the year, they handed me the keys and we were set.”
On Monday, March 9, Platform Coffee opened in the College Avenue Metra station. The cafe is open on weekdays from 5 to 10 a.m. and serves a selection of brews from the local roastery I Have a Bean.
Since then, the business has thrived.
Sharp assembled a team of three people to run the shop, noting that “God has opened doors and provided people” to support the business.
Sharp met Rod through working closely with I Have a Bean owner Pete Leonard, an associate of Rod’s, and chose him to be the manager of the site. Rod said the quality coffee at Platform drew him to the job, as well as the morning shifts that fit easily into his regular work schedule.
“Our coffee company, I Have a Bean, brings instant credibility to our shop,” Rod said. “It has been fun to have customers coming to our store who recognize the brand and appreciate the quality it brings to their brew.”
Justin, who was waiting for the train on his work commute, spoke about his experience as a customer of Platform Coffee, appreciating that the coffee was from a high-quality, local brand. He also mentioned his respect for I Have a Bean’s “Second Chances” commitment to employing individuals recently released from prison.
“It’s cool to know that I’m supporting a service program like that,” he said.
Sharp said the business was built on three core values: “high quality, efficient service and genuine hospitality.”
Platform Coffee not only emphasizes quality but also a commitment to speed. Efficiency is important because customers need to catch the next train and have their coffee made quickly so they can continue their commute.
“We can’t be slow with what we do,” Sharp said. “Being efficient and serving people with speed is a way that we can love our customers.”
Both Sharp and Rod spoke about their commitment to providing people hospitality and warmth through both their coffee and conversation. They also said how this goal goes even beyond just their commitment to customers.
“One of the things that’s really important to me with Platform Coffee is that we aren’t just here to serve the people who actually buy coffee from us,” Sharp said. “I want Platform Coffee to also be a blessing to the people who enter this station and choose not to buy coffee from us.”
Rod and his employees are always looking for ways to engage people waiting in the station. On the back wall of the shop, there is a whiteboard where the employees will write down a quote or interactive question, inviting customers and passersby to engage and use it as a conversation starter.
“When we go beyond just what we’re selling to also try to contribute to people’s lives, even if it’s just a smile and some encouragement, it’s making them feel like they’re already off to a good start to their day,” Rod said.
