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. 

New Digs for Field's T. Rex Sue Opening on December 21st

via Chicago Tribune:

Sue the T. rex now has a date for its housewarming party.

The Field Museum’s prime T. rex skeleton, visible only through a small viewing window for much of the last year, will be on view in its new, fully decorated second-floor home beginning Dec. 21, the museum announced Monday.

The new, 5,100-square-foot display, in a former movie theater space amid the “Evolving Planet” exhibition, will surround Sue with interactives and other touches meant to put the animal in context for museum-goers.

The largest, most intact T. rex ever found was moved out of its longtime home in Stanley Field Hall as part of a 125th anniversary remaking of the central hall.

Chase Branch at Dearborn and Harrison Officially Closed

A reader writes:

If only "Printer's Row" restaurant could return (the other half of its site now occupied by Potbelly)!

We posted about this back in August, but it appears this branch is officially closed.  Here is to hoping something more exciting moves in...

(Hat tip:  AB!)