A New Place to Get Liquor in the Sloop: Walgreens

A reader writes:

Thought that you might be interested to know that the Walgreens at Roosevelt and State will apparently be selling liquor in the future, document attached.

(Hat Tip: SL!)

Making Progress at Jimmy Green's Bar & Grill

We haven't heard much talk about the new Jimmy Green's Bar & Grill at 825 South State, but it looks to be progressing pretty nicely. When I peak in, it looks as if there is always someone inside working on something and judging by their Facebook pictures the place looks pretty swanky (for a sports barish type of place at least).

Another feature we're excited to see is that they installed new windows that open up horizontally in the front. We love when bars/restaurants embrace fresh air, so we're glad to see this implemented.

Also, in regard to the opening date, a Facebook post on Wednesday, May 5th states:

Jimmy Green's Name's on the door...that's a good sign! Everything's on schedule so hope to see you soon. (Just a few weeks more.)

A couple more weeks...looking forward to it!

(Images from Jimmy Green's Facebook Page)

A'Cappella Bistro Opens

So one of the friends of the blogs was strolling down Michigan Ave today and quickly called to say "A'Cappella Bistro is Open!". She didn't go in, but we're curious if anyone tried it out and if so was it good? What did the waiters say about the mind-boggling delays in opening?

(Hat Tip: Nick D!)

Computer Gurus Move in at 1130 S. Wabash

A couple of weeks ago we noticed that Elements of Style boutique closed up shop and moved next door with LeSole Tanning. Since they vacated their small retail spot at 1130 S. Wabash, it looks like a new business, Computer Gurus, is moving in.

Although we couldn't find a website, Everyblock has their business license notification on their website. We also recently strolled by the space and noticed that their store is pretty much set up. Are they officially open? we're not sure, but regardless it looks like it will be opening very shortly.

In regard to their offerings, it looked like they will provide a variety of computer equipment and equipment. We also imagine that they will be a good resource for problem shooting computer issues.

Good luck and welcome to the Sloop!

A Real Estate Video From the Past - Eco18

UPDATE: So this video is from 2008 (as JeffS pointed out in the comments), but showed up on a recent rss feed that we monitor. Obviously things have changed in the area and we don't anticipate Eco18 breaking ground in the summer. Regardless, it's interesting to listen to...

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We were excited to listen to this interview conducted by YoChicago about the Eco18 development at the corner of Wabash and 18th (1830 S. Michigan). It's interesting to hear the developer talk about the South Loop, the "Wabash Corridor" and the real estate market in general.

The other interesting note was that he mentioned that they planned to break ground on the development this Summer. To be honest, we thought this project was dead. Regardless, it's encouraging to hear optimism in regard to the South Loop real estate market (even though it wasn't resounding excitement):


(Video from YoChicago)

Stanley Cup for the Hawks?

The Hawks playoff run thus far has been frustrating at times and exhilarating and ridiculously entertaining at others, but the good news is that as of today they lead their series with the much hated Vancouver Canucks 2-1. Game 4 is tonight in Vancouver at 8:30pm and chances are that bars all over the city (and Sloop) will be packed with fans cheering on the mighty Blackhawks.

We will probably be at Kroll's, maybe we will see you there.

Could It Be True? A'Cappela Bistro Open For Mother's Day Brunch?

We're still skeptical, but this is a pretty strong sign that they're going to be open:

My fiancé believes it is a continuation of their ongoing saga, I think it's going to open. There is a buffet set up inside so we'll see Sunday.

(Hat Tip: JG!)

An Eye Sore at 800 S. Financial

A reader writes:

I was wondering if you would be able to start a thread about the area around 800 S Financial Pl. (or what used to be 800 S. Financial Pl.) I think at one point it used to be a street or a parking lot. Now its just vacant land. I don't think it is included in he Roosevelt collection plans. I was just hoping someone had some info. Right now its a pretty big eye-sore.

(Hat Tip: DG!)

Shots Around the Sloop: Helicopter at Target

A reader writes:

Hey Sloopin,

Just wanted to let you know that Target has been busy preparing for the addition of an enhanced grocery department. My living room overlooks the rooftop, and over the the last few weeks I've noticed a lot of construction activity. I asked one of the Target associates what was going on, and she informed me that the improvements were for the enhanced grocery department. This morning I woke up to a helicopter air-lifting refrigeration units to the roof. (See attached video.) The interior transformation is due to start soon. Exciting. I already love the convenience of the select grocery items at Target, looking forward to the additional produce, meats, etc.

Additional photos here and here.


(Hat Tip: JP & Marty!)

3 Men Found Dead in South Loop Apartment

In case you missed the story, yesterday 3 men were found dead in what appeared to be a drug related incident. This happened at 633 S. Dearborn around midday. For more info here is a link to the Chicago Tribune.

What's that Smell?

A reader writes about the scrumptious smell on Wabash:

My fiance and I moved into 1305 S. Michigan last summer and since then have been teased on a weekly basis by the smell of fried dough in the neighborhood. We always assumed it was the Dunkin Donuts next to the Wabash Tap; however, when they were remodeling the Dunkin Donuts over the last few weeks the amazing smell continued to tease us. Perhaps Jewel bakes its own pastries? Either way it often smells delicious!

Anyone have any insight into this? The only other thing we can think of is maybe the company Comfort Cake, who is based at 1243 S. Wabash Suite 201 (however we don't know if they actually bake there).

Regardless, we agree that the smell is potent and very appetizing!

(Hat Tip: JG!)

Subway Also Moving in at 1212 S. Michigan

Two weeks ago we posted about some retail development at 1212 S. Michigan (the building at the southwest corner of Roosevelt and Michigan). 2x10 nails is open and rocking at the small space south of the entrance. For those of you have been around for awhile it's where the old flower shop used to be.

However, the more interesting development is that a Subway is going to be moving into the prime retail space on the corner. A commenter named Molly tipped the blog that it was a Subway and sure enough it is. We peaked in recently and saw the standard Subway 'fake brick' decorative walling being installed and if that's not enough to squash your doubts, they're website should put the icing on the cake. (type in 60605 in the store locator and you will see that the 1212 S. Michigan Subway is opening soon).

As always, we like to see stores, restaurants and businesses opening up in the South Loop, so naturally we think this is good for the neighborhood. In a perfect world this high profile spot would have been a nice, unique neighborhood restaurant (which was reported last year by Crain's). However, something is better then nothing in our opinion.

What remains to be seen is whether or not they will have outdoor seating. Typically this isn't the case with subways (as far as we know), but given that the retail space they're occupying looks to have a great outdoor area our guess would be yes.

The other question is what does this mean for the Subway at 13th and Wabash? There is no need to have two Subways in this part of the Sloop so close to each other (not to mention if both could survive). Could this open up a retail spot for another 'local' restaurant or business on South Wabash? We hope so.

As we mentioned in the old post on this subject, Flo & Santos seems to have brought a jolt of energy to 1300 block of Wabash....maybe the momentum can bring another place into the fold.

South Loop Real Estate Trends: For Sale vs. For Rent

An interesting chart and post from the peeps at YoChicago comparing the amount of units for sale or for rent in the South Loop.

Peregrine Falcon Nesting at 1130 S. Michigan

In case you missed the story in the Chicago Journal, a Peregrine Falcon is nesting on the top of 1130 S. Michigan highrise. There is even a live Falcon Cam in place to watch the hatching of the babies as well.

We're glad to see that the falcons came back to the Sloop. As some of our readers might remember, last year (almost to the day) we were contacted by Stephanie Ware who works at the Field museum (and lives in the Sloop) regarding this topic:

I work with a program that monitors the Peregrine Falcon population here in Chicago. Two years ago, a pair of peregrines new to the Chicago region tried to nest on the Field Museum, but they were unsuccessful. They returned the following year and, after laying a few eggs in a precarious location on the museum, tried to set up shop at a construction site in the south loop. That nest failed as well.

The pair is back this year and we have been tracking them since early March. However, we haven't been able to determine where or IF they have chosen a new nesting site. At this point in the season, this pair will have likely laid eggs and they should be hatching in the next couple of weeks. We would like to find them in order to put leg bands on the chicks and record the identities of the adults.

Anyway, glad to see they were found this year and here's hoping to a successful birth!

(Hat Tip: PF!)