Buy a Restaurant for $85K: Flavor 180 for Apparently for Sale

Just a couple of weeks ago we posted that Crave Cafe and Lounge was for sale and was going for $74K.  Well if you were intrigued by that, but didn't have the creative juice to open a restaurant from scratch, maybe you should contemplate this (via Flavor 180 Facebook page):

So I guess that means they're trying to get out of the Sloop?  We will keep our eye on this and see what transpires.

(Hat tip:  VC!)

Haberdash Announces their New "Omni-Channel Retailing" Concept

Haberdash at Roosevelt Collection announces their "new" concept:

Haberdash, the men's lifestyle retail brand has just announced that its September re-launch will unveil a new retail "Convergence" concept at its mens fashion store location at the Roosevelt Collection in Chicago's South Loop .

The "Convergence" model integrates the company's daily E commerce operations into the store location; photo studio, pick, pack and ship and most importantly client services. The client services are Omni Channel focused providing the best practices experience for the Haberdash brand in-store and on-line customers. 

"Through the launch of the new model, our clients will now be able to fully interact in a new way and experience Omni-Channel retailing first hand," said Kimberly Stablein, Brand Marketing Manager for Haberdash, adding that "the new experience will showcase a fully interactive photo studio that is visible to the public along with the pick, pack and ship operation to show the usually behind-the-scenes process." Haberdash will provide ample information from styling tips, to product detail from their talented Client Service Advisors through in-store and online channels.

We're not really sure what Omni-Channel retailing is, but definitely sounds like a buzz word and like something fancy (thanks google for explaining what it is).

If you recall, back in June 2014 the retailer closed up shop while they rethought the consumer experience at the Roosevelt Collection location.  Some people were questioning if they were closed for good.

It was slightly strange that they had to rethink the concept so quickly after opening their doors in October of 2013.  We're only guessing, but maybe they were waiting for other retailers to officially come in to increase foot traffic at Roosevelt Collection.

As you may or may not recall, many other retailers are in the process of building out their retail space including Lululemon, Victoria's Secret, Banana Republic, The Container Store, Northwestern Memorial Physicians Group, among others.

Best of luck to them.

Chicago Mag: "Why You Should Root for Lucas Museum"

When George Lucas and his team chose Chicago and specifically the museum campus for his high-profile museum, many people were shocked (including us).  Many people were concerned it would set a bad precedent for future "development" on our precious lakefront.  And many people seem to be indifferent.

Anyway, if you do care Jeffrey Brown penned an article stating his case as to why we should root for the George Lucas Museum.  He states the negatives that people are saying.  He states his positives and then sums it up in his last paragraph:

Illustration by Jeffrey Brown

Other than the fact that a renowned Chinese architect named Ma Yansong and Jeanne Gang were picked to design the building and the surrounding landscape, there haven’t been a lot of details about this museum—what’s in it, who will pay for it, who would own it, what it will look like—so speculation runs wild, the way it did each time we were waiting for the next Star Wars film. It’s good to question the specifics, but it seems silly to be starting with an assumption that whatever this museum is going to be, it’ll be bad. If there’s going to be a place on the lakefront that will spark creativity and capture the imagination, isn’t that a whole lot better than another parking lot?

Thought we would share a published perspective.  There will be more and we will try to post about those as well.

While he focuses on the museum's impact in our eyes some of the bigger benefits for us in the South Loop would be better access to Northerly Island or even access improvements to Museum Campus (which is what Rahm recently asked about).

Aurelio's Shooting to Open "Flagship" Store in January 2015

Back in mid-August we noticed that the exterior of the future flagship space of Aurelio's Pizza had some heavy construction going on.  We were happy...seems like the project is still moving forward!

Since then we've received some additional emails from various readers like this one:

Here's a little update on the Aurelio's Pizza that will be located on Michigan & Roosevelt. From what I could find out they are going to open around December sometime ...I was kinda disappointed that they are taking so long but I am watching the progress of a build out! Can you verify my info?!

Seems reasonable that it wouldn't be ready until December.

However, that might be slightly aggressive.  We recently read the following tidbit from an article on DNAinfo:

In the spring, Aurelio’s owner Joe Aurelio told me his family pizza joint would make a triumphant return to Chicago by the end of August, and I told you to stop by and “tell 'em Mark sent you.” 

I reached out to Aurelio to find out why I had to head to Little Italy for dinner when all I wanted was one of his thin-crust pies. 

“Delay after delay … between the landlords and the city,” he wrote. “All the delays are unavoidable.”  

Construction on Roosevelt that included tearing up the sidewalk stalled work on the building’s exterior and, well, all that matters is the work isn’t done yet. 

“Oh, well,” Aurelio wrote. “Looks like January.”

So that's the latest.  The good news is that it appears it's still moving forward.  The bad news, it's moving slower than expected.  We're hoping for a January opening...but let's be real - spring seems more feasible (hopefully they prove us wrong).

For some older info on the "flagship" location here is an older post we did back in February 2014.

(Hat tip: NM!)

Thief Smashes Window at Bull Chicks for $2,000

Yikes!

From CBS2:

Two break-ins in the last two weeks. 

It’s too much for the owner of a new restaurant in the South Loop. 

Surveillance video from Bull Chicks shows someone crashing through the front door glass. It happened at around 4:30 a.m. Monday near Wabash and Harrison. 

Within seconds, owners say the criminal swiped $2,000. The owners think the same guy also broke in two weeks ago and stole $3,000.

Here is a link to the video.

If you remember, Bull Chicks opened back in early July.

1132 S. Wabash Building Gets Amazing Face-lift - Signs Point To Bar/Restaurant Be Coming?

A reader writes:

The scaffolding has been removed on Wabash. Looks nice. Note the large garage type door on left.

New 1132 S. Wabash retail space

Old 1132 S. Wabash retail space

So...this building looks 5,000,000x better than the old one...wow!  What's going into this space remains a slight mystery, but it is definitely possible that Steven, who contributed a comment to an old story was right when he said:

Will in fact be an upscale lounge/sports bar. i had posted this earlier but it was taken down for some reason....most likely due to trolling

What other type of business would like a garage door that opens to the street?

UPDATE FROM A READER:
Regarding the post you made about the bar/restaurant at 1132 S. Wabash this morning:

I was walking past this place on Friday, and there was a woman out front talking to 2 contractors- directing them on some work to be done to the facade. I asked what the space was going to be, and she confirmed that it is being built out for a bar/restaurant concept, but they currently do not have a tenant for the building and are in the process of seeking out a business to occupy the space.

(Hat tip: BH and JK!)

Enjoy Your Labor Day!

It's labor day...we're not working!

But don't worry, we're not going to leave you completely hanging.  If you're hungry for something to consumer, here are two great youtube videos of from the Lollapalooza feed of the Outkast concert (remember we really really really liked this concert):

Part 1 (30 minutes)
Part 2 (60 minutes)

Shots Around the Sloop: Pothole Silver Lining

A reader writes:

CDOT neglect allows view of Sloop's past:  Seems like these potholes might not get fixed before winter, but at least we get to see some "hidden Chicago," to steal a phrase. 

On eighteenth under the old railroad bridge, just west of Clark, we can see the old brick street, along with three rail tracks, presumably for a pair of street trolleys from the sloop's past.

(Hat tip: MLG!)

A Walking Tour of Chicago's Classic Rail Stations

The Chicago Architecture Blog recently did a post about a Rail Station walking tour they did which included the Sloop's Dearborn Station.  They provide some context on why the did the tour:

We are lucky to still have a classically designed working rail station in Chicago, filled with ornamentation and unusual designs in its nooks and crannies.  

There were actually eight interstate rail stations in the city back in 1930, all located in the same general area. I went along with intrepid local historian Rich Kolar and a dozen street photographers last weekend to shoot the remnants of that golden era of rail travel. It’s a walk ripe with possibilities for architectural photography.

Classic rail stations are usually something to behold.  If you have some time, maybe you can recreate this walking tour - sounds fun to us.

Vintage Post Cards Showcase Old-Timey Sloop

Because we like looking at old-timey Chicago, Curbed Chicago recently posted a link to 51 vintage Chicago postcards (featuring some familiar Sloop locations like Solider Field, Congress Hotel, Shedd, among others).

Our favorite is this amazing panoramic drawing of the 1933 Century of Progress World's Fair and the Sloop before it was the Sloop.

Why is the Printer's Row Fountain Off?

Printer's Row Fountain When Water is Running

A reader asks:

I was just curious if you have the scoop on why the fountain in the Printer's Row Park (between Federal and Dearborn) is off?

Not sure.  Anyone?

(Hat tip:  KM!)

Chicago Fire Shooting in the Sloop Today

A reader sends us the following pic:

(Hat tip: AK!)

Which Sloop Civic Project Will Have the Biggest Impact on the Neighborhood?

If you're a regular on the site, you know we often do polls on our right navigation bar.  Sometimes they're insignificant and sometimes they're a little more serious.

Anyway, just wanted to call your attention to a poll we just launched asking "Which Impending Sloop Civic Project Will have the Biggest Impact on the Neighborhood?"

For some background here are links to each project:

• McCormick Place/DePaul/Motor Row Expansion
• Cermak Green Line Stop
• Wells/Wentworth Connector
• Roosevelt Road Bike Lane Reconfiguration
• South Grant Park Public Space/Skate Park
• George Lucas Museum
• Northerly Island Makeover

Did we miss anything else substantial?

Some pretty big projects going on if you ask us - never a dull moment in the Sloop!

Is FruVe Finally Opening?

A reader writes about FruVe potentially opening:

Last night I was walking past 1130 S. Wabash around 10:00 PM and saw some guys cleaning off the inside glass of the FruVe storefront. It's been closed up for months with no signs of opening, but it looks like this juice bar or something like it is going to open up after all. There is no signage, but there was refrigeration equipment, etc. inside, so I'm not sure if it's the same concept or not. Have any info on this?

We don't have any info on this unfortunately.  It's been over a year since this was announced so would be pretty surprised if it's FruVe (especially since they took down all the signage and whatnot).

Anyone have any intel on this?

UPDATE:  Upon some further investigation on our end (aka walking by the retail space) we snapped the following picture.  Looks like FruVe is opening:

(Hat tip: JK!)