Floyd's 99 Barbershop Opens; Donna's Cafe Closes "Until Further Notice"

...And we're off an running with the 2013 business counter.  Last week it was 7-11 opening.  This weeks it was Floyd's 99 Barbershop at 27 E. Harrison.  Apparently they are offering 1/2 priced hair cuts in honor of their opening (unless the signs on the window are lying).

We've heard positive things about this place and are looking forward to trying it out.  They join another new barbershop, Sports Clips, which just opened in December of 2012 and is just across the street.  Competition for hair cuts is getting intense!

On another note, it looks like we may have our first closed business of 2013, Donna's Cafe (1255 S. State).  While we aren't sure if they're permanently closed, the sign on their window isn't encouraging:

Donna's Cafe will be closed until further notice.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

We hope this isn't the case.  While some complained about various things when Donna's initially opened in January of 2011, it seems like they found their groove (insert jazz pun here).  Their yelp reviews were solid and they had a 4 star rating.

In terms of numbers, we've added 2 businesses and lost 1, which makes it seem like we're heading in the right direction.  However, we would rather have one Donna's, then two 7-11's or Floyd's.  Hopefully this isn't a permanent thing for Donna's...stay tuned!

(Hat tip:  SY!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Packing Them In!

A reader writes:

Hey Sloopy, 

We saw the former flower shop's outdoor space on Michigan being used as a parking lot during a recent Bears game (Dec 16th). Who knew you could fit 25 cars in there?!

(Hat tip: VM!)

Butterfield Kitchen Coming to Roosevelt CTA Stop

Via butterfield kitchen facebook page

Thanks to a post on our message board, it appears that Butterfield Kitchen is coming to 22 E. Roosevelt.  And from what we can tell that location is actually inside the North entrance to the CTA at Roosevelt.

We've mentioned that there was space and have pondered whether or not something was coming into this location.  After some additional internet sleuthing it appears that Butterfield Market will be coming to this spot.

So what is Butterfield Kitchen?  Well according to their website, they're a catering company.  While it doesn't have a ton of information on their site, it appears they have some good looking food (as far as we can tell from their pictures).  Of more interest to us, there is also a tab dedicated to "CTA Cafes".  It doesn't offer up any additional info, but you don't have to be a rocket scientist to connect the dots.

Further, if you look at their Facebook page they have a picture of a build-out at a CTA stop.  They also have a post with a business license for 22 East Roosevelt and a caption reading:
And we move closer to debuting our first retail location!

If you don't believe us here is a side-by-side picture from their facebook page and a pic we shot back in 2011:

It also sounds like they've announced a similar type of CTA cafe at the Jefferson Park blue line (via nadignewspapers):

Also at the terminal, Butterfield Kitchen is set to open this summer inside the former doughnut shop inside the CTA terminal’s lobby at 4917 N. Milwaukee Ave. Butterfield’s is installing a new kitchen and bakery and will offer sandwiches, salads, scones and prepared meals, which commuters can take home in the evening.

So there you have it, Butterfield Kitchen is coming to the CTA stop (not the new building just East of the CTA stop -- which we continue to hear is Jersey Mike's).  The final question is whether or not the new "drive-thru" window is for them to sell stuff.  We assume so, but only time will tell.

New "drive-thru window" under the tracks...we assume this was installed for the new Butterfield Kitchen

(Hat tip: TS & Sloop1!)

Decision on Land North of McCormick Place Drags Onnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn............Yawn!

We've posted about this so many times it's almost comical (here, here, here).  But here we go again...via Chicagorealestatedaily.com:

Via chicagorealestatedaily.com

A bankruptcy judge once again has deferred a decision on a disputed hotel development site next to McCormick Place, giving the property's owner until next Wednesday to come up with a feasible plan to pay off its creditors.

Judge Jack Schmetterer on Thursday told lawyers representing developers Pam Gleichman and Karl Norberg that they need to provide more solid evidence that a planned sale of the property just north of the convention hall will happen, allowing the husband-and-wife team to pay off lender CenterPoint Properties Trust, which has been trying to foreclose on the site for nearly four years.

Under a proposed bankruptcy reorganization plan, a venture led by the couple would sell the property in two transactions to developers that would build two hotels there. The site has also been mentioned as a possible location for a new arena for the DePaul University basketball team. 

Woman Sexually Assaulted and Husband Robbed

Be careful out there (via CBS2 Chicago):

Residents in the South Loop are being urged to be vigilant–after an armed man sexually assaulted a woman. 

The attack happened near 14th Street and Clark when a man assaulted the 56-year-old woman in her car outside her apartment. 

He then took her keys and went inside her home and robbed her husband.

1st Business Of 2013: 7-11 at State & 8th Officially Open

Ok.  It may not be the sexiest opening in the neighborhood, but it still puts us in the plus for 2013.  A new 7-11 has officially opened at the Southeast corner of State and 8th (next to Lou Malnati's and below XSport).

The 2013 Business Counter has been updated.

While some of you may yawn at this news, for some of us it means easier access to slurpees...

(Hat tip: NM!)

The Triumphant Return of Villain's?

An excited reader recently wrote to us about a neighborhood favorite that closed last year:

Villains bar and grill posted on their Facebook that they will be returning soon, in the South Loop but did not say when/where.

Upon further investigation on their Facebook page it's true!  We also had some inside gossip and can confirm that this is true.  As it stands now, they're reviewing the lease with the lawyers and hope to have a location announcement soon.

We were able to confirm it's going to be in the South Loop.  However, be patient...it's going to be a complete build-out.

Now let's play everyone's favorite game...Guess Where the New Villain's Will Open?

(Hat tip:  RGR!)

Fine and Affordable Dinner at Acadia's Bar

The Lobster Roll on the Bar Menu at Acadia (1639 S. Wabash)

We've spent plenty of time covering Acadia and are happy to give them their props.  However, for us, consistent dinning at Acadia is tough given our lack of monetary resources (sigh).  We happily will treat ourselves every once and awhile for a special occasion, but that simply doesn't happen all the time.

If you're in the same boat as us, but still want to experience this fine establishment at a more affordable price point, we have a suggestions...check out the bar menu.

While it's not a huge menu, most of the items won't break the budget and will definitely bring a smile to your face.  Better yet, you get to experience Acadia in a more low key environment.

When we went it was a low key Sunday night.  Carlos was tending to the bar and was masterfully mixing cocktails.  We were pretty confident on what we wanted to eat (see old Sloopin post about Acadia's Lobster Roll), but had a little more uncertainty about the drinks.

We quickly put in an order for the famous Acadia Lobster Roll ($16), the Acadia Burger ($13) and asked some questions about the drink menu.  As we experienced last time we were at Acadia, the drinks are well thought out and amazingly concocted   The head bartender, Arunas, does a solid job of being creative but not at the expense of providing a tasty drink.  Anyway, we opted to start off with the Local Agent (a new seasonal drink on the menu) and the Moscow Mule (a drink that is usually on the menu).

The drinks came first and were beautiful.  The Local Agent is a vodka/gin based drink which intrigued us. Carlos gave us some background that this was inspired by the Vesper Martini.  Lovely!  It was delicate, flavorful and easy to drink.  And for those of you asking about the creativity, there was an interesting ice cube made from olives and orange peel (see image to the right).  A nice creative and functional touch.

The Moscow Mule was delightful and clearly made from natural ingredients, including Acadia's own ginger beer.  Definitely different than any mule you will find at the typical bar.

After some sips on our cocktails, we were pumped for dinner.  Not surprisingly, the presentation was top notch.  While the Lobster Roll was not huge upon first glance, but it was a solid portion (see image at the top).  As a person who doesn't love creamy dishes, I was naturally a little worried about ordering a lobster roll.  But this thing was delicious.  Chef McCaskey knows lobster, so we knew we wouldn't be disappointed -- we weren't!

I barely had time to breath as I devoured the roll.  The seasoning (chives and parpika) were delicious and the lobster was buttery and tender.  We were thinking about ordering another, but had to quell that urge.

The burger was solid.  Again, not a "man-that's-a-huge-portion", but that was to be expected.  This isn't a split your pants type of establishment.  Regardless, we were happy with the portion and more importantly the taste.  One of us attributed the great taste to the Capretta cheese on the burger..the other thought the onion bacon jam gave it the unique taste.  It also came with some potato salad and for those interested, the other saucer in the picture to the left is a spicy 1000 island dressing that we asked for on the side.

But then came the decision...get another round of drinks and some more food?  or go home?

Wanting more we decided to stay and go for round 2.  We went for an order of Mussels to share ($10), a "Gin / Tonics / Limes" drink, and a glass of Chardonnay that was recommended by Carlos based on our Mussels order.  Again everything was good in our book and we left knowing that we would be back soon.

It's definitely a different experience, but a good one.  If you're up for a low key experience that will excite your taste buds we suggest trying the bar at Acadia.  They don't take reservations, which is probably a good thing for people in the neighborhood like us!

Kudos to Chef McCaskey, Arunas, Carlos and the entire team at Acadia for providing a new way to the Acadia experience.  See you soon!

Shots Around the Sloop: Dream Job

From a reader via Twitter:

(Hat tip: Kristen_AD & SR!)

Poll: Sloop Progresses in 2012

Sport Clips Haircuts Opens at 10 E. Harrison

New Sport Clips sign with blinking "open" sign and grand opening sandwich board

Well la dee dad...that was fast.  It seems like yesterday we were contemplating why we haven't seen more movement at Sports Clips (10 E. Harrison), the new men's barber shop slated for Harrison.  Well that was mid-December.  Fast forward to December 31st when we were driving by and noticed a flashing open sign at the spot (see pic above).  Apparently it opened.

We will keep you posted on the other place to tame your mane -- Floyd's barber shop that has been progressing as well and is in close proximity just east on Harrison.

Given that it technically opened in 2012, we're updating our tracker for last year.  The net total is now back to +22 for 2012.  We have a couple other businesses that we're going to verify and then hopefully we can put this final tracker to bed for the year.

Where Should the Obama Library Go? We Got an Idea!

The Lakeside Center at McCormick Place is Underutilized - Seems like a good fit for the Obama Library
image from durabilityanddesign.com

Just before Christmas there was a flurry of articles talking about the quest to land the prestigious Obama Library and Museum.  The news came about due to some Bronzeville residents discussing their desire to have the Library and Museum at the old Michael Reese hospital site:

The site where Michael Reese Hospital once stood isn't much to look at, just a 37-acre swath of overgrown land in Bronzeville, behind a shoddy chain-link fence.

Developers are itching to build a casino or perhaps a sports entertainment complex on the city-owned property located in the shadows of downtown near the south lakefront. But residents of this historic African-American community have something grander in mind.

They envision a Barack Obama presidential library.

"This area tells the story of Chess Records, gospel music, blues and jazz, electrified by Willie Dixon, Buddy Guy and Muddy Waters," said Harold Lucas, president of the Black Metropolis Convention & Tourism Council in Bronzeville. "When people come to Chicago, that's what they want to see. They want to see the birthplace of Mr. Obama's political career."

Though Obama has not commented publicly about his plans for a library, every president since Herbert Hoover has established an archive in his home state to house papers from his White House tenure. That means the race could come down to Chicago — the city Obama most recently called home — and Honolulu — the city where he was born.

If Chicago is selected, the next hurdle would be to determine where the facility would be built. An Obama library likely would not open before the end of the decade, but already it is a hot commodity because of the prestige and economic vitality it would bring to the community.
Bronzeville would have to join other potential bidders, including the University of Chicago, the University of Hawaii and developers of the old U.S. Steel South Works site on the Southeast Side, all with decidedly more political clout, financial resources and name recognition.

This isn't the first we've heard about the library coming to Bronzeville.  Back in October of 2012, there was some whispers of this spot potentially being considered for the library among various other things.

In our opinion it seems like Hyde Park probably has the best chance of landing the Library given Obama's ties to the university and its proximity to his house.  Hawaii just doesn't make practical sense in our opinion (it ain't easy to get to).

Just for fun, we've got another high-profile suggestion.  What about the McCormick Place Lakeside Center (seen on the far left in the picture above)?  It has historical significance since it's where Obama celebrated his 2nd term victory and from what we've heard it's not being fully utilized.

Back in early December there were discussions about turning it into a data center which seems ludicrous given it's prime location on the lake.  And even further back in 2011 the Chicago Architecture Club launched a competition to brainstorm ideas about what to do with this underutilized facility.

Better yet, it would further enhance Chicago's "Museum Campus".

Obviously we have no idea if this is a possibility, but seems like a good spot to us!

South Loop Condo Boom in 2012?

Real estate agent Eric Rojas' had a recent blog post looking at the number of sales in the South Loop for 2012.  Apparently the neighborhood saw a nice bump in 2012:

Image from Eric Rojas

770 South Loop condo units sold from January 1st to December 26th in 2012. That' up 94% over the same period in 2011. A pretty astonishing number. Many factors may have contributed...low interest rates, stabilizing condo associations, low prices for the location and compared to incomes and faster processing of short sales and foreclosures. New development completely halted after 2008. Four years later people are beginning to feel comfortable with pricing and value in the new normal.

The median price in 2012 was about $250,000 for an attached condo. Same period in 2011, the median price was about $260,000 for an attached condo.

We've always maintained that the South Loop is a desirable neighborhood for many many reasons and with time our real estate conundrum would play itself out for the positive (if you could afford to ride out the short term issues).  Given signs of improvement in the economy it's not entirely surprising to see sales up so much in 2012 especially when we're comparing it to 2011.  Anyway, the post also goes on to show the number of sales over the last 5 years:

South Loop Condo Unit Sales 2008-2012 

• 2008 unit sales 1,127 

• 2009 unit sales 637 

• 2010 unit sales 568 (affected by Federal First Time Buyer stimulus) 

• 2011 unit sales 405 

• 2012 unit sales 770 (as of Dec 26th)

So what do you think?  Are you optimistic about your real estate?

Happy New Year from Your Friends at Sloopin!

2012 was a heck of a year, but we know 2013 is going to be even better!

Wishing all our readers (and their loved ones) a healthy, happy, prosperous 2013!

Sloopin Crew