Ticket Happy Parking Officer or Something Else?

A reader writes:

I noticed walking this morning Sunday 5/25 that every car parked along S Wabash in the Mon-Fri 2 hour parking and and free parking along 14th place around Coliseum park were ticketed. 

I was curious why this was the case since I usually have friends park in that area when they visit. My curiosity got to me so I actually looked at one of the tickets to see what it was for and it said "Parking in a residential permit zone" 

Do you know anything about this? There are no new signs saying this is a residential permits zoned area. Maybe just a ticket happy parking enforcement officer?

This is the first we heard of this.  Anyone have any ideas or face any similar issues?

(Hat tip:  ME!)

Gadget Geeks Aiming for Mid-June Opening at 620 S. Dearborn

A reader writes:

620 S. Dearborn (in the Transportation Building) is being divided into two spaces/businesses. To the north- Gadget Geeks for computer and cell phone repairs, expected to be open mid-June to the south- a personal trainer (per the Gadget Geek guys; they didn't have more info) the street numbering for the two businesses has yet to be worked out.  

That space has been empty for the longest time.  

So glad to have them coming!

We also heard from the Gadget Geek owners recently:

My business partner and I have the opportunity to open our own store in South Loop called Gadget Geeks that focuses on providing mobile device repair services, consulting, and innovative accessories to consumers and small businesses in our area. One of the aspects of South Loop that we love is the variety of different residents and people that frequent this area....runners, bikers, readers, dog-lovers, music-lovers, etc. There are so many different gadgets and accessories that support these different lifestyles, and Gadget Geeks aims to be the "one-stop shop" for these devices and any repair services needed.  

We are in the process of renovating our store (located on Printers Row at 620 S. Dearborn) and anticipate opening in mid June. Thanks for your help, and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Another reader writes something similar but apparently the business to the South isn't happening:

The space to the left with the double doors was supposed to be a "fitness related" business, however the for-lease sign went back up in the window so maybe that is not happening anymore.

(Hat tip: GM, TR, V808, RB, MM, K, MJ, GM, BT!)

Petco Officially Open on 611 W. Roosevelt Road

Well we missed their grand opening, but regardless pet owners/lovers have a new place to shop in the Sloop:

Business counter has been updated!

(Hat tip: NR!)

Sloopin Brew Update: Broad Shoulders Brewery Re-brands as Motor Row Brewery, South Loop Brewing Company Reaches CrowdFunding Goal, and Vice Brewery Buildout Begins

Broad Shoulders Brewery has sparked a lot of interest from various people in and around the Sloop, but has had a rough go on their attempt to open their doors.  We first wrote about it in 2011.

Fast forward two and half years later and they're still pressing forward.

Over the past couple of weeks various readers have let us know that they've changed their name and our shooting for a fall opening:

They're changing the name of their brewery (2337 S Michigan) from Broad Shoulders to Motor Row Brewing. Also, buildout is moving along and he is shooting for an August 1 opening. 

I know its been a long time coming, but it sounds like he's getting close. Plus, I guarantee it is going to be worth the wait. I have tried a few of his beers and they are fantastic.

Sure enough the website confirms this.

Their facebook page does a decent job with updates so you can check that out.  Judging from that, they still have a little ways to go.

Back in December of 2013, South Loop Brewing launched a crowdfunding initiative to bring a tap room to the Sloop.  We just went back and it looks like they exceeded their goal - congrats!  They raised $23,785!  While we didn't see any official update, we did find this on a blog called guysdrinkingbeer.com:

South Loop Brewing is planning to brew at Une Année for a year or so before hopefully moving into their own digs. They don’t have a location pinned down yet but are eying the area of the South Loop bordered by Roosevelt Rd to the north, 18th St to the south, Clark Street to the west and Michigan Ave to the east.

Hopefully they find a place soon!

Finally it seems like the guys at Vice District Brewing are moving at a feverish pace. We learned about the project in January.  Read about additional plans in Crain's in April.  And now a reader sent us an email blast they received in May:

We wanted to thank you for your patience and support over the past few months. We’re proud to announce that we now have our Brewer’s License (as of today). We are scheduled to begin the buildout in the coming weeks. What this means is that you’ll be hearing a lot more from us regarding our beers and the specifics of our grand opening in the next two months.

If small batch craft beer is your thing, it looks like the Sloop is going to be home to a variety of great spots for you.  We wish them all the best and can't wait to sip some of their brews!

(Hat tip: DM, CL, AR, JC!)

New Midway Landing Pattern Over the Sloop?

A reader writes:

Anyone else excited about the new Midway landing pattern that has all these Southwest 737s on final approach over the Sloop?!

It's funny because we just were on a Southwest flight and noticed that we flew right over the Sloop.  We didn't think much about it at the time, but now that the reader mentioned it we're thinking some more about it.

Not sure why it makes you excited...seems more a nuisance to us, but whatever floats your boat!

(Hat tip:  ML!)

JTA Schools Moving to 80 W. Harrison

A reader writes:

New day care is moving into the NE corner of Harrison and Clark

This would make sense.  Some informed readers had a couple comments on an old post we did outlining that Kids & Company was replacing JTA at 1255 S. State.

Not sure what exactly transpired to make JTA move, but apparently they aren't going out of business and instead are opening up a little further north.  Good to see visual proof!

(Hat tip:  KJB!)

White Collar Crime at 1255 S. State

1255 S. State (via Crain's)

If you're interested in some white collar crime, Crain's has a story for you (in case you missed it last this week):

Condominium developer Warren Barr and five associates face federal criminal allegations that they orchestrated a $23 million loan fraud scheme at a South Loop condominium project.  

Warren N. Barr III, 62, of Riverside and the five other men were charged with defrauding lenders by providing misleading information on about 60 mortgages for purchases of condos in the Vision on State tower at 1255 S. State St., according to a 13-count indictment filed yesterday in U.S. District Court in Chicago.  

They are charged with taking part in a scheme to sell units at artificially high prices, boosting sales in the 253-unit building and misleading lenders by secretly funneling down payments and assessment fees to so-called straw buyers.

(Hat tip:  AR & VC!)

Memorial Day Gratitude

To all those who have served - thank you!

Shots Around the Sloop: Storm Season Kick-Off

(Hat tip: KQ & JD!)

Roosevelt Collection Is Paying Off for Investor McCaffery

For those of us who are fascinated with business case studies, the story of Roosevelt Collection is an excellent one on the chaotic uncertainties associated with real estate (via Crain's).
We're not real estate investors, but it didn't take a rocket scientist to understand that Roosevelt Collection has immense upside and opportunity.  Not saying it was easy for McCaffery and associates to make Roosevelt Collection a success, but to a layperson it seemed like it was inevitable (granted you have to have a lot of credit/cash to be able to pull off a deal like acquiring this building and real estate).
Roosevelt Road has dramatically changed over the past decade and in another 10 years our guess is that it will continue to expand into a busier and more vibrant commercial and residential corridor.
(Hat tip:  AR!)

WOW - Look at Northerly Island!

Yesterday we were reading Curbed Chicago and came across something that stopped us in our tracks - an arial picture of the progress at Northerly Island:

Pretty amazing that this much progress has been made (not sure why - but it looks pretty striking).  For some reason, we were very skeptical of this project.  We even went back to a post we did in April and this has been the plan all along. 

However, seeing it in this manner really brings it into focus for us.  Looks pretty sweet and can't wait to check it out.

Anyway, Curbed provides some additional information:

Northerly Island's $7 million makeover is still underway, however, according to a recent update on Facebook, the city hopes to have the first phase of the island's massive construction effort completed by this summer. The 91 acre man-made peninsula was once the home to Meigs Field, a single strip airport that was famously bulldozed in the middle of the night on orders from Mayor Richard M. Daley. However, several years after the famous incident took place, a dramatic plan to turn the small island into an urban oasis was presented. Hometown architecture heavy-weight Studio Gang was tapped to develop the master plan and came up with a vision that called for five different ecosystems with winding trails and a deep-water lagoon.

Pretty interesting!

May "The Force" Be Coming to the Sloop?

Image via Curbed Chicago

Big news around Chicago recently was that the task force for the city's bid for the George Lucas Museum has suggested that the museum be built south of Soldier Field (via Tribune):

A task force appointed by Mayor Rahm Emanuel has recommended the parking lots to the south of Soldier Field as the home for filmmaker George Lucas' collection of art and movie memorabilia, should the 'Star Wars' creator choose Chicago over San Francisco for his planned museum.  

Lucas is expected to select a site for his Lucas Cultural Arts Museum this summer, according to a museum spokeswoman.

Upon first blush, this seems like it would be a great thing for Chicago and the Sloop.  However, Bears fans might not be happy because it seems like it could alter tailgating drastically.

That doesn't seem like a good reason to shoot this down.  The Tribune has a great summary on the situation.  For us we would love to see this happen.  A world class museum is better than a parking lot (this I know to be true).

Besides the museum, it sounds like the area would get major infrastructure improvements.  The Sun Times provides a couple highlights:

• Building a “pedestrian connection” from the Lucas museum to Northerly Island — either a bridge or a “mid-harbor crossing that prioritizes pedestrians, cyclist and non-motorized transit” — to reduce traffic volumes on the few roadways that connect Northerly Island to the museum campus.
• Upgrading the 18th Street entrance and exits to McCormick Place and the museum campus as well as the Roosevelt Road interchange.

However, reading between the lines, it seems like Chicago is a long shot behind San Francisco (where Lucas has lived most of his life).  Obama museum seems ripe for Chicago.  Lucas museum still feels like a long shot.

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With amenities that ease the hassles of urban family living, Adler Place enables working parents to spend more time with those that matter most. The outdoor pool and sun deck complete with grilling stations are ideal for relaxing family weekends, playdates for the kids or hosting a gathering of friends. For active parents on-the-go, Adler Place houses a fitness center complete with cardiovascular training equipment, a sauna, a hot tub and his and hers locker rooms.

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Learn more at Relatedsouthloop.com.

A Sloopin Fave: Chicken Spinach & Guacamole Wrap at Cafe Society

We spend a ton of time talking about new things in the Sloop, but that doesn't mean we're only out there trying new stuff.  Through the years we've encountered some things that really stand above the rest.  You may not agree, but these things have truly become one of our favorite things around the South Loop (cue Sound of Music).

With that said, we're introducing a new feature on the blog called "A Sloopin Fave" where we will identify one little thing that continues to keep us coming back for more.  It could be food, an event, a bike route or whatever - it's something that we truly love about the Sloop.

To kick it off, we're starting with the amazing Chicken Guacamole Wrap at Cafe Society (1801 S. Indiana):

Sitting in the serenely peaceful courtyard next to Cafe Society (1801 S. Indiana) is truly a pleasure.  Couple that with a Chicken, Spinach & Guacamole wrap and we're in heaven (cue Outkast SpottieOttieDopalicious soundtrack).  Not only is it an enormous portion, but it's pretty damn...damn....damn exotic.

It tends to explode in your hand, but that's not a bad thing.  We're not a fan of super messy dishes, but the flavor makes up for that.  The chicken is remarkably tender and actually has a subtle spiciness that we love.  This blends perfectly with the other more mild ingredients of guacamole, spinach and tomatoes (note tomatoes aren't always included).

While that seems pretty pedestrian for a wrap, the sprinkled Parmesan cheese and drizzled raspberry dressing on top make this an amazingly savory and sweet blend of deliciousness.

We personally love the chaotic charm of Cafe Society.  They're about to go through an evolution to Spoke & Bird, but we really pray that they don't lose the Chicken, Spinach & Guacamole wrap.