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!)

New McCormick Place Arena and Hotel Set to Begin Construction in Early 2015 and Shooting for Completion in 2017

Curbed Chicago provides an update:

Tuesday night, the 3rd ward's alderman Pat Dowell hosted a public meeting where McCormick Place representatives presented an update on the ongoing development project to expand the convention facility's footprint by constructing a new Pelli Clarke Pelli designed arena and events center, a new high rise hotel and convention center, as well as a new data center. The meeting was primarily meant to address neighborhood residents' concerns about the traffic and parking implications of the new construction and facilities, but there were a few updates about the buildings themselves. 

The 51 story hotel building, set to be a Marriott Marquis with 1,200 rooms and considerable conference and event space, as well as the 10,000 seat stadium, which will host DePaul University's basketball games and be available for concerts and other events, will both start construction in January 2015. The stadium should be completed by February 2017, with the hotel's completion following in May.

T.J. Maxx Opens at The Maxwell

If this CTA bus advertising is correct, T.J. Maxx apparenty opened yesterday at The Maxwell.

Business counter is updated.

Sloop's Beer Movement Progressing...Just Not as Fast As Everyone Wants!

The Sloop's beer revolution is still developing (which we will chalk up to the City that works...working slowly?!?!?).  Back in May we checked in on the numerous beer centric happenings in the neighborhood.

Anyway, last we heard Vice District Brewing was planning on opening this past Friday (8/22).  Well according to some Facebook posts, it sounds like they're just waiting on the city:

According to their posts, they will be opening up this upcoming Friday (8/29).

In other beer news, the popular Printer's Row spot Villains is also in waiting mode to officially open its doors.  We stopped in a couple of weeks ago just to see how things were going and can attest that the space is rad.  While their old spot was dark and dank (in a good way), the new buildout looks industrial and raw.  You will like.  But more importantly we know they know beer and we know you will like this as well.

Broad Shoulders Brewery which changed its name to Motor Row Brewery also seems to be making some good progress.  Their Facebook page is full of pictures and progress, but what it doesn't say is when they're going to be opening to the public.  Stay tuned.

Finally, South Loop Brewing Company is also making progress.  Currently they're not brewing in the Sloop, but hope to eventually.  Regardless, you have to start somewhere and hope to have them in the South Loop soon!