Sloopin Retail Roundup: Niu B & Porkchop Open; First Draft Opening Soon; Monkey Bar Gym Closes

There seems to be a flurry of businesses opening and closing recently, so here is a quick recap on some of the news we're hearing/seeing:

Now Open
Niu B (888 S. Michigan)
It was just January when word leaked out that Niu B was going to replace OYSY sushi at 888 S. Michigan.  Well a couple readers sent us notification that they opened and we recently walked by and snapped the picture below.  Congrats to them and looking forward to trying out the new spot:

Porkchop (555 S. Dearborn)
It was just May when we just heard (and saw) that Porkchop would open a second South Loop location in Printer's Row.  Porkchop will also be opening up in Roosevelt Collection.  Why have two restaurants so close to each other?  We're not sure.  Regardless, apparently they're open on Dearborn and a reader sent us this info:

Porkchop on Dearborn is open!!! My husband and I had dinner there last night and it was fantastic! I snapped quick pics of the menus, and we can vouch for the ribs, pulled pork, mac & cheese, and cornbread. The delightful girl working the front register said they're testing hours, currently open 8-8. I don't know who's eating BBQ at 8am, but there is something called the "Fat Elvis" on the menu, which is some combo of waffle, peanut butter, and bananas. So excited to have them in the neighborhood, and hoping we can drive traffic there to support them!

Opening Soon
First Draft (649 S. Clark)
There has been many false alarms on the opening of First Draft, the bar/restaurant replacing Villain's at 649 S. Clark.  Last we heard, they were shooting for an April opening.  Clearly that didn't happen.

A couple readers sent us emails and according to their Facebook page, June 16th is the official opening date:

Closed
Another blow to Motor Row as Monkey Bar Gym has closed up shop at 2255 S. Michigan.  The gym opened in late 2010 and had a pretty devoted following.  Sounds like it just wasn't working from a financial standpoint based on this Facebook post a reader sent us:

(Hat tip: ES, AK, VG, SC, SW!)

Aerial View of Progress at the Future Fred Anderson Park

Aerial view of the progress being made at the future Fred Anderson Park:

I've been following the development of the park on Wabash between 16th and 18th. I've attached a picture from last Saturday. Should be pretty cool. I am planning to make a little time-lapse movie showing the progress. Enjoy!

The park should eventually look like this (via DNA info):

Looking forward to seeing the time lapse!

(Hat tip:  CJ!)

Golfsmith Latest Retailer Planning on "Roosevelt Retail Corridor" Presence

Roosevelt Retail Corridor is officially a thing!

Yesterday we posted about Dick's Sporting Goods opening and then immediately after that we received a bunch of emails from readers directing us to a chicagorealestatedaily.com article:

A golf retailer is stepping up to the tee in the South Loop, which has filled in with new stores over the past two years. 

Golfsmith International Inc. has leased about 14,000 square feet in the Roosevelt Galleria, a 42,000-square-foot shopping center at 603-627 W. Roosevelt Road, a spokesman for the Austin-based company confirmed. The store will be the firm's second in the city and its sixth in the Chicago area, according to the firm's website. 

“We identified the South Loop area as attractive, given its strong retail presence and convenient accessibility in the heart of the city,” the spokesman said in an email. He declined to discuss lease terms.

The company is joining a crowd of retail chains that have agreed to open stores in the South Loop, betting the Roosevelt Road retail corridor will draw shoppers from nearby neighborhoods.

This isn't terribly surprising and something many people predicted would happen eventually.

Anyway, the article goes on to compare this to North Avenue in Lincoln Park:

“I think it's somewhat comparable to what North Avenue (near Lincoln Park) has turned into,” Jeffrey Annenberg, a Skokie investor in a venture that acquired Roosevelt Galleria in 2012. The venture bought the bulk of the property from Bank of America N.A., which had seized it through foreclosure in 2011.

And if that's not enough apparently there are other developers trying to capitalize on the momentum of the shopping area:

As retailers ink more deals in the South Loop, developers are trying launch new projects in the neighborhood.

Mr. Annenberg, for example, is part of a venture that owns an approximately 66,000-square-foot parcel at 550 W. 14th Place in the South Loop. The venture has hired the Chicago office of RKF to find tenants for the site, which Mr. Annenberg said could be used for retail, medical offices or other uses.

Chicago-based investor JRG Capital Partners LLC, meanwhile, wants to develop a new shopping center at 1120 S. Clinton St.

While we've heard some people who detest these national big box retailers coming to the South Loop, we don't have those same issues.  Yes, we prefer locally run businesses but we also like for the neighborhood to continue to progress.

(Hat tip:  AR, MS, RW, NL, OI!)

Dick's Sporting Goods Opens as the First Tenant at The Maxwell

Looks like the first tenant of The Maxwell shopping center, just north of Roosevelt, is opening it's doors (via Wall Street Journal):

DICK'S Sporting Goods (NYSE: DKS), the largest U.S. based full-line omni-channel sporting goods retailer, invites the city of Chicago to their three-day grand opening. The celebration runs Friday, June 13 through Sunday, June 15 at the new location at The Maxwell (1100 S. Canal Street). Special extended hours will be in effect all weekend. The store opens at 8:00 a.m. Friday and Saturday and 9:00 a.m. Sunday.

They will be running a bunch of promotions, but if you're a Bears fan you might like this one the most:

On Sunday, Chicago Bears player Brandon Marshall will make an in-store appearance from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.**

It seems like it's the proper time to say this, but the Roosevelt Shopping Corridor appears to be in full swing.  Yes, it's heavy on the national big box chains, but it's still a nice resource to have in the neighborhood if you ask us.

Upon request from a reader, we're instituting a new poll on the right hand side of site (it's been awhile).  Which shopping complex will have 100% occupancy first - The Maxwell or Roosevelt Collection.

(Hat tip:  VG!)

Crave (1250 S. Michigan) Not Closed - Just a Remodel

There was a lot of buzz flowing around when paper appeared on the windows at Crave Cafe and Lounge (1250 S. Michigan).

Were they closed?  Were the remodeling?  What was to be?

After some more time has passed, it appears that it was just a remodel.  Gone is the awkward "island bar" in the middle of the space.  Instead the bar has been moved to the north side of the space.

We recently walked by on Thursday night and the place was bumping.  Live band in the front and apparently standing room only.  Good for them.  Hope this renovation helps.

(Hat tip: RK, GN!)

East-West to Build 26 Floor Dorm on South Wabash?

A reader provides some real estate rumors and poses some questions:

A crew was surveying the parking lot on Wabash between 9th and the Columbia College Park last weekend.  

Rumor is the site is owned by East-West and might become 26-floor dorm. Heard anything about this yet?  

Also, do you know who owns the property just south of the 910 S Michigan building that includes parking and two Columbia College buildings? Years ago it was being developed as a condo building but I believe the property went into bankruptcy. Still bank owned?  

Finally, the On the Route bike shop next to Yolk has a sign in the window stating they're moving to a Printers Row location…you probably already know this, but just in case…

We haven't heard much on the real estate questions/rumors you posed.  Does anyone have any insight they can lend?

As you may recall East-West University did just built a beautiful 17 story building just North of this location.  We're pretty sure it includes student housing, so not sure why they would build a second dorm building.

In regard to the bike shop, we did post about that recently (link here).

(Hat Tip:  MKR!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Towering

(Hat tip: CM!)

Get Your Sloopin Hat Tip T-Shirt While Supplies Last!

We just stopped by Well Future Pharmacy and we're almost out of Sloopin Hat Tip T-Shirts.

First off, just wanted to say thanks.  The fact that we get so many emails from our readers is truly a testament to the amazing pride and care everyone has for the South Loop.  As we've said before, Sloopin wouldn't exist if it wasn't for all the participation we get from you.  So a big "Hat Tip" to you!

Second, if you're initials are below, hurry up and get to Well Future Pharmacy while supplies last.  Looks like there are only a couple large and XL sizes left.

For background here is the story on the Sloopin Hat Tip T-shirt program. If you see your initials below and have submitted a story, you're eligible for a t-shirt:

• YHL
• LL
• AS
• TR
• AM
• KK
• RM
• BB
• AR
• KQ
• VC
• KJB
• ML
• DM
• NR
• GM
• ME
• MR
• RC
• MU

As always - thanks for the support and keep the tips coming!

The 30th Annual Printers Row Lit Fest Kicks Off Tomorrow

One of our favorite street fest's kicks off tomorrow in Printers Row.  And this year they are celebrating their 30th anniversary of the event.

The tribune sums it up nice:

What a difference three decades make. The first Printers Row book fair, in 1985, featured about 40 booksellers and attracted a reported 6,500 attendees to what once had been a somewhat dicey neighborhood. Considering the crowds in recent years, the 2014 Printers Row Lit Fest is likely to attract more than 20 times that many people. The festival, which is owned by the Chicago Tribune, will host around 150 booksellers and a full slate of readings, panel discussions and other events, featuring more than 300 authors and presenters.

HomeMade Pizza Co. Shuts Down its Business

In case you missed this story (via Chicago Tribune):

HomeMade Pizza Co. has abruptly shut down its take-and-bake pizza stores.  

The Chicago-based chain offered ready-to-bake pizzas made with local, fresh ingredients, pitting itself against competitors ranging from pizza restaurants to grocery stores. A company co-founder and a store manager confirmed the shutdown.  

Efforts to reach Chicago-based HomeMade Pizza Co. and its officials on Monday were unsuccessful.  

Along with the closing of an estimated 22 retail outlets on Friday, HomeMade Pizza appears to have shut down its website. The move comes after sales slipped last year at U.S. pizza establishments focused solely on take home and delivery, according to industry data.

HomeMade Pizza Co opened in the Sloop in 2008 at 1347 S. Michigan and from what we could tell did a decent business.  Clearly this was more of a corporate decision, but nonetheless you never like to see businesses close.

For people on South Michigan all isn't lost in terms of getting some 'za.  Giordano's literally opened up across the street last year.

(Hat tip:  MU, PM, CPF, KP, CD, JG, PS, EM!)

Roots of Integrity Holistic Fitness Opens at 1550 S. Indiana

We recently heard about a new fitness business called Roots of Integrity.  They opened in late February of this year and their website sums it up:

Roots of Integrity, Holistic Fitness offers Pilates, Yoga, and GYROTONIC® training for individuals of all ages and ability levels. Our mission is to find the best holistic fitness program for your needs and interests to help you achieve overall well-being.

For more info check out their website.

Congrats on the opening and welcome to the hood!

Grant Park Skate Park & Roosevelt Road Protected Bike Lane Construction Commences

Construction begins on Roosevelt and Skate Park @ Grant Park

The Chicago Tribune provides the update:

Construction on a 3-acre skate park in Grant Park begins this week as city lawmakers consider granting the project $2.5 million in tax increment financing assistance. 

The skate park, near Michigan Avenue and the 11th Street pedestrian bridge, will replace a modest skate area built eight years ago. The new space will feature a variety of elements, including structures like ramps, rails and stairs, three viewing platforms, art space, an amphitheater and landscape gardens.

Not surprisingly it appears that the proposed protected bike lane on Roosevelt is also moving forward judging by the picture above and this paragraph in the Tribune article:

Separately, construction also will soon begin along Roosevelt Road, between State Street and Columbus Drive, to widen sidewalks and create a buffer of trees between bike and car lanes, integrating the nearby CTA station with Grant Park, Soldier Field, Northerly Island and the Museum Campus.

Both of these projects are pretty interesting and should be interesting improvements to the neighborhood.  Roosevelt will apparetnly soon look like this:

For more background check out some of these older posts on the topics (skate park, roosevelt bike lane).

(Hat tip:  RC and OI!)

Enterprise Rent-a-Car Moving in at 1830 S. Wabash

A reader writes:

They've been excavating on empty lot next to goodyear (18/wabash). was hoping for some residential at some point, unfortunately building permit looks like a parking garage and enterprise rent-a-car... I don't really know anything more than this permit, so maybe put it out there and see if anybody knows anything about this.

Definitely not a sexy addition to the neighborhood, but is it better than an empty lot?

Thoughts?

(Hat tip:  MR!)

Shots Around the Sloop: False!