MTV's Real World Auditions Come to the Sloop on Saturday 12/8

Here is your shot (via wbbm):

Do you remember the days of simpler reality TV where contestants didn't just vy the cameras and start drama to get attention? You could be part of that reality on the next "Real World."

The MTV reality TV show just announced it will be relaunching after its most recent 32nd season and is coming to Chicago in the search for new roommates, according to its casting page. Facebook Watch is teaming up with MTV to revamp the original storyline where strangers live in a fancy house and deal with the drama that unolds for the world to watch. But this time, it will be streamed online through Facebook, which started Aug. 9 and features news programs, shows and reality content for Facebook consumers.

On Dec. 8, Chicagoans feeling nostalgic about the 90s hit show or who want a change of scenery, lifestyle and gossip can audition for the show. Auditions will be held at Bar Louie in the South Loop from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Contestants must be 21 to enter and if you can't make the audition in person, you can apply online.

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board Hopes "The 78" Development Shows Chicago Path to Racial Equality

The Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board weighs in on "The 78" development as an opportunity for Chicago to be more inclusive:

Chicago has got to shed its “tale of two cities” image.

So it’s well worth paying attention to what happens in a big new development called “The 78.” We might learn a little about how to best counter the racial inequality and violence that besets our city.

Chicago needs a new story of “one city,” characterized by equity and inclusion. In minority neighborhoods, more jobs and economic opportunity are sorely needed.

Tens of thousands of jobs will be in the mix as The 78 — billed as Chicago’s “next great neighborhood,” adding to the existing 77 — takes shape on a 62-acre parcel at Clark Street and Roosevelt Road in the South Loop.

To ensure that underrepresented groups get a fair share of jobs and contracts, developer Related Midwest has created a “diversity council” of outside partners, including nonprofits and minority contracting and labor groups. The council will monitor hiring and contracting for the planned $7 billion mixed-use development, which is expected to generate 15,000 construction jobs and 24,000 permanent jobs.

“We’re not just going to have a job fair and call it a day,” Related Midwest’s Dan Biernacki told the Sun-Times.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get this right, and set the standard for how other organizations can do this in the city, state and nation,” said Jorge Perez of the Hispanic American Construction Industry Association.

As the mayoral election ramps up, we expect to hear about a lot of crime-fighting strategies, such as more surveillance cameras and drones.

But the more solutions focus on the positive, targeting the roots of crime by creating good jobs and a sense of hope, the better.

It's a slightly strange write-up if you ask us...but hope they're right.

Long Time Shoe Store Succezz Moves Down Michigan Avenue to New Address (2214 S. Michigan)

We were recently driving Michigan Avenue and noticed a new occupied storefront south of Cermak:

Upon some more digging on their Facebook page it looks like Succezz is moving from their longtime home at 1329 S. Michigan down the street to 2214 S. Michigan:

As a reminder, Succezz has been a long time tenant on the 1300 S. Michigan block.  As you can see by the photo at the top of the page they're celebrating their 10th anniversary. 

The 1300 S. Michigan Avenue block has seen a flurry of activity and retail moving in - although it seems to mostly be spas and exercise spaces.  Losing the shoe store probably won't hurt this area much.

On the flip side, the addition of Succezz to the changing Motor Row entertainment district (south of Cermak) seems like a good development for the area.  A proven South Loop business moving into a part of the neighborhood that can use a shot in the arm = a positive thing for the south side of the Sloop.

Best of luck to Succezz!

Aniko Salon Closes at 1111 S. Wabash?

A reader writes:

I'm not sure if this was reported, but it looks like Aniko Salon in the 1111 S Wabash building closed, and a new salon on the south side of the 1111 S Wabash entrance is open. (between the building entrance and the garage entrance).

We weren't aware of this, but maybe the construction of the hotel just to the North contributed to the closure?  Anyone have any perspective?

(Hat tip:  SS!)

Shark's Fish and Chicken Opens at Cermak and State

It appears that Shark's Fish and Chicken is officially open at the NE corner of State and Cermak.  As a reminder, the retail at this corner burned down in grand fashion on NYE in 2014.

It's been slow moving on the rebuild, but the space looks nicer and hopefully some other good spots move in.

A Panozzo's Artifact

Now that Kome Japanese Eatery closed at 1303 S. Michigan, it only feels fitting that we look back at a neighborhood favorite that used to call this space home:

I don't know if you guys would have any interest in running this but I found a sentimental artifact when cleaning up the archive. All the letters are real people. This was a crude sketch that was going to become a T-shirt. Enjoy.

I still miss the joint. (I'm the 'D' in the middle)

(Hat tip:  DL!)

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: A Look Back to Flowers

(Hat tip:  JH!)

Obama Foundation Wraps Up Second Summit in the Sloop

The second annual Obama Foundation Summit wrapped up last weekend and while there wasn't any major news, it was good to hear our former president wax poetically about the current state of the world (via Chicago Tribune):

Former President Barack Obama urged organizers and social innovators gathered at the Obama Foundation summit Monday evening to be patient in their pursuits of wide-scale community change.

And in their moments of exhaustion, Obama said, they must remember that generations before them fought for equality, justice, environmental protections and other rights.

“You should be extraordinarily impatient about the injustices and nonsense and foolishness you see around you and you should be finding opportunities at every juncture to challenge those things,” he said. “At the same time, you have to keep in your mind: Societies are these complex, organic things that you don’t turn (like) switches. They evolve. They shift. They change.”

The summit is in its second year and both have resided in the South Loop - this year at the Marriott Marquis on Cermak.  This likely will change when his Obama's Presidential Library is complete, but in the meantime it's nice to have the event in our neighborhood.

If you're wondering what the summit is here is a recap:

The Obama summit is a two-day conference that brings together civic innovators and community activists from around the world to network, exchange ideas and use the Obama brand to strengthen their platforms. Guests from 41 countries and 17 states attended this year. About 100 participants were from Chicago.

Happy Thanksgiving 2018!

Happy Thanksgiving:

Not sure about you, but we're thankful that the Bears play today!

Holiday CTA Trains Start This Week

Here comes the Holiday CTA train (link):

• Green Line & Orange Line | Fri 11/23
• Green Line | Sat 11/24
• Green Line & Orange Line | Tue 11/27
• Orange Line & Brown Line | Wed 11/28
• Orange Line & Brown Line | Thu 11/29
• Orange Line & Brown Line | Fri 11/30
• Orange Line & Brown Line | Sat 12/1
• Red Line | Tue 12/11
• Red Line | Thur 12/13
• Red Line | Sat 12/15

There is also a holiday bus if you prefer that...

Happy Holidays!

StubHub Opens Brick-and-Mortar Store at NW Wabash and Balbo

When did this place open?

In case you didn't know, this is at the corner of NWWabash and Balbo in the new residential building at the corner.

We tried to find some information about this location but couldn't.  We did find an article by Venture Beat in 2017 that talks about StubHub following the trend of eCommerce companies opening brick-and-mortar stores:

There is little question that the internet and smartphones have changed the face of commerce forever, but a minor trend has emerged over the past few years, one that reveals the inherent need for retailers to get up-close and personal with consumers.

StubHub — the latest in a long line of ecommerce companies that are taking a step back in time to embrace brick-and-mortar stores — is opening its first flagship retail outlet just off Times Square in New York City.

The location seems to make sense given it's proximity to Soldier Field and Grant Park (for Lollapalooza).  Has anyone been here?  Seen anyone in here?

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Morning Break

(Hat tip: JH!)

Living the Language Daycare Moving to 2111 S. Michigan

A reader writes:

I noticed that Living The Language International Daycare opened up at 2111 s Michigan Ave this month. They were on 31st in Bronzeville, but recently moved.

You can find out more here.

Another nice development for the Motor Row area.

(Hat tip: SG!)

So We Didn't Get Amazon's HQ2...

While the build-up to an announcement was softened last week as news leaked out that Amazon was in "late negotiations" with Long Island City in New York and Arlington in Northern Virginia, the final decision still stings.

Chicago always seemed like a long shot if the national media was to believed.  Yes, we had almost all the boxes checked for what Amazon was looking for, but at the end, the decision to land in the New York and Washington DC metros didn't feel like a shock. 

There is a lot to read on the topic.  In Chicago, the Tribune writes about "what's next" for Chicago and its tech scene.  It strikes a positive tone, but the reality is our fine city lags behind many others on this front.  Mayor Emanuel was coy in his answers on the topic claiming NDA confidentiality (which we can respect).

Interestingly, much of the press coverage has been negative - granted that's what tends to drive clicks.  Popular tech site The Verge has a headline that reads "Amazon's HQ2 Stunt Could Come Back to Haunt it" and Quartz writes "Amazon Had a Chance to Redefine It's Corporate Culture...and Blew it".

For us in the Sloop, the big question is what will happen with Related Midwest's massive 78 development?  We know it's going in front of the Chicago Plan Commission later this month, but will the pace of this development slow and change?  The simple answer is probably yes.  Will recently defeated Governor Rauner's Discovery Partners Institute technology project - that was slated for this area - fizzle out?  Who knows. 

Time will tell.  But in the meantime, another game changing development opportunity has been missed.