Victory Barber Salon to Open on South State

Upon strolling down South State street recently, we noticed a new barber salon called, Victory Barber Salon, next door to Cafe Bionda (1926 South State street).

We don't have many details and didn't find much on the interwebs, but if anyone has additional dish please share.

The retail at this building (or at least the retail on State street) seem to be doing well since all the storefronts are going to be utilized. Besides this new barber shop, it appears Lakeside Grocery (which we don't remember being there) is open and the Burger Point will be opening soon (see here for old Sloopin post).

New Bike Lane on 18th Street?

The active transportation alliance blog recently had a post highlighting Alderman Danny Solis' second annual bike ride for the 25th Ward. Besides highlighting the event, Transportation Commissions (and South Loop resident), Gabe Klein had an announcement:

Even more exciting than the bike ride itself was the announcement that Ald. Solis and the Chicago Department of Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein made at the start of the event: The 25th Ward is getting a .55-mile long protected bike lanes on 18th St. from Clinton Street to Clark Street.

The lanes will facilitate a safe route for residents to get to the 18th Street./Halsted Arts District, downtown and the Lakefront Trail. The announcement touched on some of the benefits of the bike lanes, namely that they will allow for safe bike riding over the 18th Street bridge.

Although it's a small stretch, it's a move in the right direction. Hopefully the Sloop gets more of these "protected bike lanes" soon.

This news coincides with the post we had on Tuesday, about the new norther portion of Ping Tom Park opening. Looks like this area is getting some much needed attention!

(Hat tip: MotoSoloRow!)

Regarding the Flo & Santos Expansion...

About a month ago we had a post looking at various construction projects around the Sloop. One of those being an apparent expansion behind the warm and cosy Flo & Santos restaurant/pub (1310 S. Wabash).

Besides a plethora of comments on that post, a reader sent us the following tidbit:

Regarding Flo & Santos Expansion...

It's happening. They are building out the back room to mirror what already exists in the front room. There will be a bar and seats just like the front. The kitchen sits right in the middle of the first floor of that building, so they can feed out to both rooms pretty seamlessly. One of the friendly barkeeps told me this.

We haven't corroborated this, but it seems feasible to us.

(Hat tip: ZM!)

Curbed Chicago Takes a Look at Ping Tom Park's New Area

Ping Tom park, which is a great public park on the East bank of the Chicago river just South of 18th street, has a new addition just North of 18th now. The blog curbed Chicago headed over last week to take some great pictures. They took the one above, but have some other great shots if you're interested.

Also of interest in their post is a quote from Rahm:

The park of course isn't completely finished yet, though. At a press conference held at Ping Tom on Monday, Mayor Emanuel announced that the park will soon be getting a $4-million boat house, designed by Jeanne Gang and Chris Lee.

For those not familiar with Jeanne Gang, she's putting her stamp on various neighborhoods around the city (most notably the amazing 82-story Aqua building in the River East neighborhood). She also designed Columbia's Media Production Center at 16th and State. Glad to have her creative vision designing new buildings in the neighborhood.

(Image from Curbed Chicago)

Shots Around the Sloop: Waterspout

A reader sends us the picture above and writes:

On Saturday morning, we noticed a cloud over Lake Michigan off Burnham Harbor and Soldier field that turned into a waterspout. It lasted for about 15 minutes before disappearing.

(Hat tip: J&JG!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Clouds Roll In

From reader:

This photo was taken from our balcony. Thought I'd share it to all our neighbors in the south loop who probably share the same view, if not better. We moved in our condo about a year ago and couldn't be happier with our decision. Being an avid runner, my mornings wouldn't be complete without a trip down the lakefront. I also love how short of a walk it is from my doorstep to the start line of the Chicago Marathon.

(Hat tip: GM!)

South Loop Yard Sale Today!

A reader writes:

Hi Sloopin,

On August 12 you posted a story about the annual Sloop Yard Sale. I was walking home yesterday and saw the attached flyer posted in Dearborn Park. This is the "original" Sloop Yard sale, in memory of its founder, Mary Schoonmaker.

Details:
Saturday, September 24: 9am - 2pm
Dearborn Park (9th and Plymouth)

Thought you might want to post. I was going to post details in the comments of the original story, but thought it might get lost.

Thank you!

(Hat tip: TT & DM!)

H+ Records Signs Lease in Printer's Row

A reader sent us some encouraging news about h+ records:

Saw some activity in the old GNC space (730 S. Dearborn) tonight with a tiny sign about H+ records.

And found this:
http://www.hplusrecords.com/

I think at one point there was an entry about them being further south, maybe even on wabash. Looks like they settled in Printers Row. Yippe!

Yes, we did a post about H+ Records looking for space back in February. For those interested check out there website or maybe check out a party they're having tonight at the new space:

Ahoy folks, been awhile. In honor of putting name to lease, we will be throwing a little party in the future H+ Records store. On Friday, 9/23, from 8pm to 12pm, we will host a little event in empty and unimproved space. There will be some booze, music, hopefully dancing, and the current vinyl inventory if you want to buy something. Also there will be paint and other drawing implements to let you put whatever artwork you want on the walls. I hope to see everyone there.

(Hat tip: TR!)

Timeout Chicago Takes An In Depth Look Jerry Kleiner

Time-out Chicago has the most detailed story we've ever read about Jerry Kleiner. Regardless on your feelings on him, he was a integral part of the South Loop scene over the past 10 years or so. It's an interesting read. Here's a highlight about the Sloop:

With Davis and Kleiner as the remaining majority partners, KDK continued its string of openings in then-sketchy neighborhoods, this time setting its sights on the South Loop with Italian spot Gioco (1999), Chinese concept Opera (2002) and the short-lived Japanese spot Saiko (2003–05). When Gioco debuted, “there was just a trickle of residential on the eastern end” of the South Loop, Kleiner says. “Wherever I’ve gone, I’ve created a movement, a vision, an energy field. It took me years to get people to follow me down to these areas.”

If you're like us, this comment is a little off-putting. Maybe there is some truth to it, but still seems like he's giving himself to much credit.

Update on Congress Parkway Bridge Construction

For those who drive in the neighborhood, we figured you would like an update on the Congress Parkway construction. This is from the Trib:

Major rehabilitation work on the outbound Congress Parkway drawbridge will begin this week, marking the final stage of the problem-plagued project and requiring new traffic changes, officials said.

The article goes on to talk about when the project is slated to be completed and some of the issues it has faced:

Installation of the deck panels for the new bridge surface is expected to begin in December, officials said. The tentative completion date for the entire bridge project is mid-May.

The $33 million project was plagued first by a delay in getting started in April 2010, then a construction workers strike in July 2010 and the subsequent discovery of unlevel floor beams on the bridge that required a design change to the new bridge deck. The original completion date was October 2011.

Can't wait for this one to be done...

(Image from historicbridges.com)

Lawsuit Claims Fioretti Diverted Funds from Law Firm for Personal Expenses

In case you missed this last week, Alderman Fioretti has been named in a recent lawsuit (from chicagobusiness.com):

Chicago Alderman Bob Fioretti (2nd) and a partner looted their law firm to pay for personal expenses — including running for City Council — two lawyers who used to work for the firm contend.

In a suit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, Charles Brizzolara and Paul Peldyak allege that they're owed about $100,000 by the now-defunct law firm Fioretti & Lower Ltd., which dissolved in June.

They contend they weren't paid salary, expenses and other compensation "because Fioretti and Lower used and diverted such funds to their own use, including payment of personal rented cars, club dues and funds lent to Fioretti's aldermanic campaign."

Not exactly sure what will come of this, but if we read anything else we will let you know.

(Hat tip: ND!)

Where are the Open Mic Nights in Sloop?

A reader writes:

Hi Sloopin,

Are there any open mics you know of in the South Loop?

Thanks,

SP

We're familiar with a sweet open mic at Villain's Bar and Grill (649 S. Clark) on the last Wednesday of every month, but besides that we're not sure. Anyone have any other suggestions?

(Hat tip: SP!)

Ex-Sox Pitcher, Freddy Garcia, Sells South Loop Town House for a Loss

From the Tribune:

Former Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Freddy Garcia, whose two tours of duty on the South Side included starting the final game of the 2005 World Series, has just sold his four-bedroom town home in the South Loop for $820,000.

Now a member of the New York Yankees' starting pitching rotation, Garcia, 34, played for the Sox from 2004 through 2006 and again in 2009 and 2010. He and his wife Glendys paid $1.05 million in May 2005 for the eight-room town home.

Ouch! At least his current employer is known to pay well.

(Image from: rotoinfo.com)

Shots Around the Sloop: Lush Downtown

(Hat tip: CU!)