sundevilpeg wrote:From recent observations, it looks like the on-again/off-again upscale grocery store project intended for the long/vacant Osco/CVS property on Asbury & Oakton in Evanston is off again. All signage, including the most recent batch posted in the spring, have been stripped, and there are no signs of life in the buildinq. I think this makes year 4 for this building being vacant.

If anyone in the West Rogers Park/SW Evanston area has any news, I'd love to hear it, especially if it's good.

News not good. I think I read somewhere there is no $ to fund the project due to a partner pulling out

Pie Lady wrote:There's a new location of Chill Bubble Tea open in the Village Crossing Mall.

Cool!

Cordis Brothers Supper Club looks like it didn't make it, to judge by paper on windows, hand-scrawled sign on door, etc.

That's a shame, I always wondered what this was like.

Pie Lady wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Sandwich Works...Windows are papered over and there's a big padlock on the front door. Closed I presume.

The deli paper over the door has the scrawled message:
CLOSED DUE TO BUS OUT
whatever that means.

l

Stuck my nose in the window this morning after picking up a bagel next door. The padlock on the door is gone. The main deli counter is still there and all of the coolers are gone. Who knows?

PEPPER'S downtown in the loop near Van Buren and Franklin is closed.

This morning, on my sneaky back exit from the Monroe St. Blue Line (along the Nick's Fishmarket/McDonald's entrance), I saw a man removing a bunch of coffee equipment from Nick's. I didn't think much of it, thought that there must've been a big party over the weekend and perhaps that was extra equipment that was being taken out.....

Turns out, they are now closed, after at least 30 years in the Loop. Crain's has the update, quite sad IMO:

(Crain’s) — Venerable downtown seafood restaurant Nick’s Fishmarket closed its doors over the weekend, blaming the economy and the “unwillingness of our landlord to help Nick’s through this recession.”

The high-priced restaurant, which two years ago celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Loop, closed its Chase Plaza location after serving dinner Friday night.

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” says Nick’s owner Lee Suckow. “There were guys who worked there their whole lives, 30 years. It breaks my heart, but I did everything I could.”

Mr. Suckow says the restaurant, which had 60 employees and leased about 9,000 square feet on two levels at 51 S. Clark St., cleared out over the weekend. He says that in the spring he made a proposal to J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., which owns the building and acts as landlord, to restructure its lease but never made any headway.

smellen wrote:This morning, on my sneaky back exit from the Monroe St. Blue Line (along the Nick's Fishmarket/McDonald's entrance), I saw a man removing a bunch of coffee equipment from Nick's. I didn't think much of it, thought that there must've been a big party over the weekend and perhaps that was extra equipment that was being taken out.....

Turns out, they are now closed, after at least 30 years in the Loop. Crain's has the update, quite sad IMO:

(Crain’s) — Venerable downtown seafood restaurant Nick’s Fishmarket closed its doors over the weekend, blaming the economy and the “unwillingness of our landlord to help Nick’s through this recession.”

The high-priced restaurant, which two years ago celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Loop, closed its Chase Plaza location after serving dinner Friday night.

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” says Nick’s owner Lee Suckow. “There were guys who worked there their whole lives, 30 years. It breaks my heart, but I did everything I could.”

Mr. Suckow says the restaurant, which had 60 employees and leased about 9,000 square feet on two levels at 51 S. Clark St., cleared out over the weekend. He says that in the spring he made a proposal to J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., which owns the building and acts as landlord, to restructure its lease but never made any headway.

Link here: Nick’s Fishmarket closes Loop location

=R=

Don Roth's Blackhawk in Wheeling to call it quits after 40 years

nr706 wrote:Don Roth's Blackhawk in Wheeling to call it quits after 40 years

How sad - I have so many fantastic memories of this place. Having grown up nearby, I had many a great meal there with my family. At least I see I have time for a final visit or two.

Driving up Oakton today, I noticed inventory sale signs in the window at Happy Foods...looks like they're liquidating their stock (shelves looked pretty bare) and closing their doors. I've always wondered how they survived in an area that seems to have a high number of local groceries.

Happy Foods
4616 Oakton St
Skokie, IL 60076-3118
(847) 679-1661

smellen wrote:This morning, on my sneaky back exit from the Monroe St. Blue Line (along the Nick's Fishmarket/McDonald's entrance), I saw a man removing a bunch of coffee equipment from Nick's. I didn't think much of it, thought that there must've been a big party over the weekend and perhaps that was extra equipment that was being taken out.....

Turns out, they are now closed, after at least 30 years in the Loop. Crain's has the update, quite sad IMO:

(Crain’s) — Venerable downtown seafood restaurant Nick’s Fishmarket closed its doors over the weekend, blaming the economy and the “unwillingness of our landlord to help Nick’s through this recession.”

The high-priced restaurant, which two years ago celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Loop, closed its Chase Plaza location after serving dinner Friday night.

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” says Nick’s owner Lee Suckow. “There were guys who worked there their whole lives, 30 years. It breaks my heart, but I did everything I could.”

Mr. Suckow says the restaurant, which had 60 employees and leased about 9,000 square feet on two levels at 51 S. Clark St., cleared out over the weekend. He says that in the spring he made a proposal to J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., which owns the building and acts as landlord, to restructure its lease but never made any headway.

Funny that no one is blaming the poorly cooked fish and the bad service.

Mhays wrote:Driving up Oakton today, I noticed inventory sale signs in the window at Happy Foods...looks like they're liquidating their stock (shelves looked pretty bare) and closing their doors.

That sucks! I thought it was odd when their address was no longer listed on the Wednesday ad. Guess I'll swing up there at lunch and see if there are any baking supplies left.

stevez wrote:

smellen wrote:This morning, on my sneaky back exit from the Monroe St. Blue Line (along the Nick's Fishmarket/McDonald's entrance), I saw a man removing a bunch of coffee equipment from Nick's. I didn't think much of it, thought that there must've been a big party over the weekend and perhaps that was extra equipment that was being taken out.....

Turns out, they are now closed, after at least 30 years in the Loop. Crain's has the update, quite sad IMO:

(Crain’s) — Venerable downtown seafood restaurant Nick’s Fishmarket closed its doors over the weekend, blaming the economy and the “unwillingness of our landlord to help Nick’s through this recession.”

The high-priced restaurant, which two years ago celebrated its 30th anniversary in the Loop, closed its Chase Plaza location after serving dinner Friday night.

“It’s beyond heartbreaking,” says Nick’s owner Lee Suckow. “There were guys who worked there their whole lives, 30 years. It breaks my heart, but I did everything I could.”

Mr. Suckow says the restaurant, which had 60 employees and leased about 9,000 square feet on two levels at 51 S. Clark St., cleared out over the weekend. He says that in the spring he made a proposal to J. P. Morgan Chase & Co., which owns the building and acts as landlord, to restructure its lease but never made any headway.

Funny that no one is blaming the poorly cooked fish and the bad service.

You forgot overpriced

You almost wonder if J.P. Morgan Chase said, "You know, based on the numbers, we might just restructure your lease. Except you suck!"

I noticed that Beans and Bagels on Leland and Rockwell is now serving dinner from 6pm to 9pm, Wednesdays through Saturdays (if I recall). They have antipasti, pastas and risotto, some salads, soups, and dessert. Perhaps there are daily entree specials - I don't know. Prices were extremely reasonable.

No idea if they are doing this at the Montrose location.

Beans and Bagels
2601 Leland at Rockwell
Chicago, IL
773-649-0015

My restaurant nemesis, Sushi X on Diversey, has closed. There is a sign in the window that says "New sushi restaurant coming soon". My expectations are low but I'd love to be surprised.

jesteinf wrote:My restaurant nemesis, Sushi X on Diversey, has closed. There is a sign in the window that says "New sushi restaurant coming soon". My expectations are low but I'd love to be surprised.

I guess I can pitch the free gift certificate that's buried in my glove compartment.

There is something going in to the space previously (and briefly) occupied by Mirch Masala at 6130 N. Ravenswood, a few doors down from Blue Nile. The paper came off the windows yesterday, but I couldn't see any sign of a sign as I drove by.

riddlemay wrote:DMK Burger Bar (the venture from Michael Kornick and David Morton at Sheffield and Wellington) now has a giant "DMK" in red neon and a sidewalk-to-roof vertical sign saying "Burger Bar" in a scripty font turned on its side. It's actually all quite attractive in its confident assertiveness and makes me look forward to the opening of the place even more.

I just called to see if they were open yet (couldn't find it online, and their twitter page said they were hoping to open early this week), as a friend said it looked open. They told me they're hoping to open this Friday, and if they don't do it Friday, it will be early next week. I'm looking forward to trying their burgers.

I guess I can hold off a few more days... Their menu looks good: http://www3.timeoutny.com/chicago/blog/ ... -revealed/

Does anyone know what the deal with Dodo is? What happened to "early 2009" ETA?

Update on Gene's Sausage and Delicatessen at Delicatessen Mayer. Signs in the windows and an ad in the Tribune today call for grand opening on Saturday, November 7. Walking by this afternoon, the windows are mostly papered over although I could see in through gaps. No sign of shelf stocking that I could see. Doing a grand opening on a Saturday in the heart of the Lincoln Square mall without several days of soft opening strikes me as foolhardy.

The recent papering of windows seems a bit silly as there was no paper for weeks. The building is totally new from the foundation up. There is a big open staircase to shopping area on the second floor. The layout looks as though things are pretty spread out. Supermarket-style checkout lanes were installed before the windows were repapered. This is a very different store physically from the old Delicatessen Mayer.

The sculpture of a Hereford poking out from the front of the building is definitely not a cow. I didn't look closely enough to see whether a bull or steer, though.

Coleman's!!!
1008 S 17th Ave
Maywood, IL 60153
(708) 343-9667
Sign on the window says "Closing due to circumstances beyond our control..." It continues on to read there will be a new location. I was driving, and could not read if there was an addy of the new location on the sign. Though a tad pricey for the portion sizes, this was easily the best / most consistent aquarium q in the west burbs. Sauce was too sweet, but I am not a huge sauce proponent, always order my q without, or on the side. Saddening news to me. I'll definitely check the sign again in a few days for new address.

Latest news on Peterson's Ice Cream in Oak Park

Panther in the Den wrote:There has been some major renovations going on in the restaurant part the last few weeks and recently they have removed the windows in the ice cream shop and put up plywood. Not sure if the ice cream shop is still open (or will reopen).

Will keep an eye on it.

The new storefront is up and the ice cream shop has reopened.

Construction still going on in the rest of the building.

What is?

I assume the answer is above, somewhere, but as this thread is 67 pages long...

Mike G wrote:What is?

I assume the answer is above, somewhere, but as this thread is 67 pages long...

Doh! Sorry about that. I trimmed off the restaurant information.

Peterson's Ice Cream in Oak Park.

Thanks for the heads up!

Mike G wrote:... but as this thread is 67 pages long...

Got me thinking. It'd be fun to go back to the first page (May 13, 2007) and see how many of the openings and comings are now closed or gone.

But I won't get to it for a while, so if anyone else wants to, be my guest.

After reading/hearing some terrible and mixed reviews of new spots in the Logan Square area (Brand BBQ, (K)new, Belly Shack, Rustico), I'm hoping we can get a winner or two soon.

Last night, RAB and I spotted a sign for Loco Sandwich Cafe at 3152 W. Diversey. Really small storefront. Looks like it could be close to opening - - they've had a business license since June, according EveryBlock.

Anyone know anything?

Ronna

I heard a rumor that a new burger place was opening on Western, just south of Division. Supposedly called "Assault and Burgerery" any truth to this? In addition, anyone heard when Dee's Soul Food is suppose to open on Division? Metromix said this week, but walked by it this morning, and it looks the same as it has for the past couple of months.

boshow48111 wrote:I heard a rumor that a new burger place was opening on Western, just south of Division. Supposedly called "Assault and Burgerery" any truth to this? In addition, anyone heard when Dee's Soul Food is suppose to open on Division? Metromix said this week, but walked by it this morning, and it looks the same as it has for the past couple of months.

Yeah, I haven't noticed anything with Dee's, nor have I actually found any business licenses to go with the space. I'll dig into that one a little more.

Sabor Saveur (2013 W. Division St.) opened recently in the old hooka lounge space next to Janik's. Billed as French/Mexican fusion.

FILICHIA FOOD & IMPORTS (959 N. Western Ave.) just opened at Augusta and Western, looks like they have a deli case, some food, and some drygoods, haven't actually stepped in yet.

The burger place has me stumped, I walk either from Augusta to Division, or Augusta to Chicago every morning, and I can't recall seeing anything about that. I'll keep my eyes open on the way home.

SSDD