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Monday, June 11, 2012

4 New Businesses Officially Open for Business

If you're a Sloopin reader you know we try our best to monitor the vitality of our neighborhood.  One of the best ways to do this is by understanding the retail scene in the Sloop.  That's why we've created our 2012 business counter and that's why it's time to give it a quick update.

As of today, we've heard of four new businesses that have officially opened:

The Foundry (730 S. Clark)
Back in February we did a post on the new CrossFit gym that was opening up in Printers Row.  Fast forward to June and they're officially.  For those who don't know what CrossFit is (our hand is raised as well)  here is a quick summary from their website:
CrossFit is a fitness program designed around the things you do in the real world. Every day, we ask our bodies to move in countless different ways. We bend down and pick things up, we put things over our heads, squat down, stand up, and run after the bus or chase down a cab. CrossFit utilizes movements from weightlifting, gymnastics, and sports conditioning that improve these real-life activities and performs them in endless variety and at high intensity. In turn, your body is always adapting, getting stronger, faster, better conditioned over a period of months and years.

Urban Grocers (729 S. State)
Not to be confused with Urban Pantry (730 S. Clark), Urban Grocers is a similar type of convenience store that is four streets to the East.  Interesting that both to of these stores opened with similar names and similar locations.  However, if there is one thing we've seen in the past...there is always demand for convenience stores.

Smoothies / DQ Luxury Relaxation Retreat (910 S. Michigan)
Out of the blue, two store fronts popped up on Michigan avenue recently:
We did some searching online and didn't find much about these places.  While you would think that a smoothie place and a massage place would cater to different consumers, we're pretty sure they're owned by the same people.

We've kept our eye on these places and have seen people inside the smoothie store.  It appears to be similar to the popular smoothie places in Chinatown.  Has anyone tried this?

Finally, stay tuned as we will be having additional posts this week about some new businesses that aren't open yet, but have plans to.

According to our records, we've had a net total of 8 new businesses open up in the Sloop in 2012.  Good news and it appears to be a trend that is bound to continue.

(Hat Tip: JQ!)     

7 comments:

  1. Is there really a typo in their awning? (DQ relaxation) so happy for 910 to have some businesses there!

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  2. I've tried the smoothies - and was deeply disappointed. They claimed to only serve a portion of the menu, and while there are two prices listed I was given no choice.

    The biggest killer though was lack of AC. Most people get smoothies in the summer to cool off right? Well no one wants to wait in a small, hot room for 10 minutes for a semi-tasteless treat. And yes, it took that long. There were many people milling about but it took one man forever to make the drinks.

    I'll try it again because I'm hopeful that this was just an off day, but I don't know.... not impressed thusfar.

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  3. I'm a big fan of the DQ massage. Yes, I know it looks totally random, but it's awesome. I've been a big fan of Chinese foot massages in LA and was elated when I heard we were getting one of these in the South Loop. The name is deceiving because it's not really a foot massage...it's a whole body massage. You keep you're clothes on (so wear something comfy) and you could be in a room with other people, but it's really relaxing. They're offering a price of $36 for an hour now. I went with my friend after the Self Workout in the park and it totally rocked!

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  4. The typo in the awning is enough to prevent me from ever going there.

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  5. Gino's East Sports Bar also opened last weekend in the old Edwardo's space at 521 S. Dearborn.

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  6. there's also a record store on dearborn across from flaco's tacos called H+. i think it's new.

    i am a record collector, and i think it's a cool place. not much inventory, but a varied collection.

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  7. It look like Square One on 14 & Michigan have a count down now...

    http://squareonechicago.com/

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