Café Lutecia at (almost) 35: Mom, Pop and Daughter Shop

Valerie Blum runs Café Lutecia, a beloved fixture in Fitler Square. The cafe is renowned for its authentic French cuisine and warm, community-centric atmosphere.

By Jessica Quiroli

Valerie Blum in the café’s kitchen, which overlooks the Fitler neighborhood.

Valerie Blum had decided.  

The year was 1990, and she’d been working in the Caribou Café at 24^th and Lombard (Barber on 24^th has been there since 2007). Back then, she was subletting the space from the owner. Her authentic French cuisine was a hit. 

“Business wa…