Foremost Goes Fore-East?

Foremost Liquors current location at 1040 W. Argyle
(Bryan Krefft & Cinema Treasures)

Longtime community staple (and sometimes problem business) Foremost Liquors is one step closer to moving from their longtime home on Argyle. The new location is still under wraps, but it's supposedly "across the street."

The City Council Committee on Licenses and Consumer Protection met yesterday to consider Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth's proposal to lift the longtime package goods liquor moratorium on Argyle to allow the move. 

After hearing testimony from longtime owner Jim Hotza about hardships he is experiencing with raised rent, the Committee voted in favor of the proposed modification to the ordinance. This will allow Foremost to make the move to the new location.

We have been following this story since last fall, when a sign went up advertising the Foremost space as "for rent." We were assured by Foremost employees that the business had no intention to close, and it sounds like continued negotiations on rent failed, leading to the current change.

The request to modify the existing ordinance goes in front of the entire City Council for a vote on February 19. With the approval of the BLCP committee, the change is expected to pass the Council.

Interestingly, the current Foremost location was once a movie theater, the Argmore, which operated on Argyle from 1913 until the 1950s. The theater space is still intact and currently serves as a warehouse. 

"The Argmore" Courtesy @Eric_Erins on Twitter

No word yet on the future location although readers tipped us off to potential movement on the long vacant 4500 sq. ft space at 1027-1029 W. Argyle over the winter. Of note, this is next door to the Northmere SRO Hotel at 4943 N. Kenmore. Based on the owner's statement that he plans to move "right across the street," it's either that location or Viet Hoa, which we believe has no plans to close.

And finally, although we're not experts on government or city ordinances, it would seem that the removal of the ban on liquor sales on "Argyle from Sheridan to Racine" would apply to all of the local businesses and empty spaces along the way. 

We think it would be a good thing if some additional restaurants and bars came to the strip, along with adding liquor sales at some of our favorites, including Milly's Pizza in the Pan, El Rincon de Fabio, Nha Hang Vietnam, Afro Taste, Danang Kitchen, Hai Yen, Cafe Hoang, and Gusto's

What are your thoughts, dear readers?

MINISO Coming To 5004 N. Broadway

Something we had heard as rumor is now confirmed, as the Uptown Chamber of Commerce announces MINISO is coming to Broadway & Argyle at 5004 N. Broadway.  Although the official "grand opening" will be on Saturday, February 8, thanks to a helpful reader, we know it's actually open right now!  

MINISO Interior

From the Chamber:

"Join MINISO for their ribbon-cutting at 11:00am! Special discount offer of 20% off to the first 50 customers, as well as 10% off for the entire grand opening weekend. MINISO is a global retail brand known for its toys, plushies, collectible blind box toys, stationery, beauty essentials, home goods, fragrances, electronics, and snacks.

The brand's collaborations with iconic names like Sanrio, Disney, Minions, Harry Potter, Chiikawa, Care Bears, Peanuts, Barbie, We Bare Bears, and Pixar, and many more contribute to its widespread appeal. With over 250 stores across the United States and 6,000 locations globally, MINISO delivers a shopping experience that appeals to all demographics."

If you haven't been to a MINISO, expect a store filled with themed items, some well known and other less known. Lots of collectibles and also 'practical' themed items, like headphones, bags, and clothing.

The Uptown MINISO will be Chicago's second store, joining an existing store in Chinatown. The new location replaces a spa equipment wholesaler.

We are excited!

'The Mukase' Makes The Move To Sheridan & Sunnyside

The new location of The Mukase at 4501 N. Sheridan

As we get ready to bid adieu to the "Happy Wash" building at Wilson and Dover, another business has moved in anticipation of the wrecking ball so a 5 story residential building can be constructed.

The Mukase has been serving authentic African cuisine in Sheridan Park since 2017 and will bring their Ghanaian and West African flavors to a new location at 4501 N. Sheridan, in the recently completed "Portrait Uptown" building. [Ed. note: love the peanut butter soup!] The new location of The Mukase will join current tenant Vandross Hair Design.

We spotted upgraded signage outside of the future location so an opening date is not far off. 

Keep an eye on The Mukase Facebook page for an exact opening date! 

The former Mukase location at 1363 W. Wilson, soon to be demolished. (Google)

Sevaride Saves the Darlington*

 *we think.

NBC's Chicago Fire is back filming in Uptown this week and next, and a set crew is busy outfitting the former Darlington Hotel (now apartments) with "broken" windows as part of whatever segment they are going to film. 

Our female editors are hoping for lots of shots of Kelly Sevaride in action, so please don't disappoint us NBC!

Although we got word of workers hanging around the intersection of Racine and Leland last weekend, the green signs say prep work will be ongoing from the 22nd (yesterday) through Monday January 27th, with no parking zones enforced on both Racine and Leland. 

For gawkers (maybe us), no word on filming but we presume it will be this weekend or early next week.

2025 CAPS Beat Meetings Announced

Mark your calendars for the 2025 CAPS Beat Meetings in the 19th district!

Any questions? Contact the CAPS office at CAPS.019district@chicagopolice.org

or follow them on Facebook here.

New Year Jiu-Jitsu

Starting in January, Lakeside Jiu-Jitsu is opening a permanent brick and mortar location at 4101 N. Broadway. (h/t Buena Park Neighbors)

Courtesy Lakeside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Website

Formerly home to N&H Cleaners for a number of years and most recently co-working space The Shift, the one-story building across from Michael's Pizza has been searching for a long term tenant for a while. 

Lakeside has also been around for a while, starting as Copa Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2011. Copa opened a location in Lakeview's Quads Gym (3727 N. Broadway) in 2012. Copa transitioned to the new name of "Lakeside Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu" in 2023 and has been in the Quads location until now.  

Lakeview's loss is Uptown's gain, and we are thrilled that Lakeside will have a home to call their own. 

Look for an opening soon, and if you want to see a class schedule for the start of 2025, click here.

Will the 7th Time Be A Charm? Dear Flo's Soft Opens this Weekend on Wilson

[Ed. Note: corrected to add 'Sephardic Sisters' below]

The saga of the star-crossed 'restaurant row' on Wilson between Malden and Beacon continues this weekend as "Dear Flo's" has its soft opening this weekend. 

The restaurant, which will focus on "Bakery, Biscuits & Breakfast," is opening in the former Kal'ish location at 1313 W. Wilson. 

After hosting various businesses for years, the easternmost spot (1303 W. Wilson) appeared to find its forever tenant in Baker & Nosh, a hugely successful bakery business. But expansion plans coupled with poor business management led to an abrupt closure in 2017, leaving a void that Andy and Gina Kalish have tried to fill with different concepts.

For a brief period, Andy and Gina overlapped with B&N, opening the successful vegan restaurant Kal'ish in 2016. Kal'ish, which took up the westernmost space that was previously the "Forget Me Knodt" flower shop, was a multiple time vegan restaurant award winner in its 7 year run. 

2017 brought Longacre Pizza Box to the middle space (1309 W. Wilson), a small scale pizza concept that was a love letter to Andy's Detroit roots. The Detroit style pizza was authentic and had devoted fans, but was criticized for uneven hours. Andy & Gina closed the restaurant while working on a new vegan concept for the space.

2018 brought a different Longacre experience, as Andy and Gina tried their hand at a takeaway (and later sit-down) concept in the former B&N space to the east. Longacre lasted about a year and was once again criticized for inconsistent hours and a shifting concept.

2020 brought Sam & Gerties, a vegan spinoff of Kal'ish that was the world's first vegan Jewish deli. Sam & Gerties was in the middle space formerly occupied by Longacre Pizza Squared. Despite COVID, Sam & Gertie's remained popular with limited weekend hours through its closure in May 2024.  

For a brief period, the eastern space was filled again, this time with L/A Mex, a taco spot and nod to Gina's family that was open briefly from late 2022 to early 2023. Once again, inconsistent hours were an issue with patrons. 

[Eds. added this section, h/t reader AM] After the closure of Kal'ish, a new middle eastern vegan concept, Sephardic Sisters, was open for 4 months in the spring of 2023 in the 1313 W. Wilson space.

L/A Mex was then converted in the fall of 2023 to Floreen's, an ode to Andy's Mom. Pizza was resurrected alongside a new menu focused on fried chicken. Floreen's run was brief, as the concept was shuttered by winter 2023 and has been closed since.

While the 'restaurant row' has seen all this turnover, other businesses have created deep roots. Pokiology and Emerald City have been a strong presence on Wilson for eight years now, two blocks east. The Public Barber and Hearthstone & Terrace (now Terrace) are about to celebrate their tenth and fifth anniversaries, respectively, and Uptown Taproom just turned two. 

This shows there is an active customer base in and around Uptown's central street to patronize businesses in these spots, and we hear from readers constantly about the potential for successful restaurant (or other businesses) in the 1303, 1309 and 1313 W. Wilson spaces. 

Hopefully Andy and Gina have unlocked the key to success with the new concept. We at UU have eaten at every one of the prior concepts (all good food!) [Ed. - none of us ate at Sephardic Sisters]  and wish them the best with this new venture.

Lose An Election? Don't Worry, In Chicago, You Get the Job Anyways

Oh, Chicago! One of the few places where a candidate can lose an election, yet end up in the position anyway.

New School Board Appointee
Karen Zaccor

In last November's election, the only races in which the winners weren't pretty much foregone conclusions were those involving the first elected school board. (The judgeships always have a couple surprises, but the vast majority are retained.)

In School District 4 (in which Uptown's Goudy, McCutcheon, Courtenay, Brennemann, and Disney are located, along with Uplift HS, Truman Middle College HS and 27 other schools to the west and south), Ellen Rosenfeld won the election for school board member. 

Running without the endorsement of the Chicago Teachers Union, Rosenfeld received 41.6% of the vote (49,351), while CTU- and Brandon Johnson-acolyte and Helen Shiller loyalist Karen Zaccor came in second, with 30.2% (35,825). 

School Board member-elect
Ellen Rosenfeld

With the voters making their preference felt, clearly District 4 will be represented by Ellen Rosenfeld on the school board, right?

Not so fast. 

Here's the trick: ten school board members were elected, but the remaining ten members of the board are appointed by Mayor Johnson. So losers can win! The system allows Mayor Johnson to appoint one person from each school district (as well as the board president, who can live anywhere in the city). 

And who did the mayor appoint to the school board? None other than Karen Zaccor, the loser of the School District 4 election.

So, until 2026, in a true Chicago duality of politics, District 4 will be represented by the candidate who won -- and by a candidate who lost.

Chicago politics, folks.

(By the way, Karen Zaccor won't be alone in being a loser-winner. Mayor Johnson appointed another November losing candidate to the board: Anusha Thotakura in District 6.)

And if the whiff of 2000-era Uptown politics isn't strong enough, a previous Johnson board appointee who'll be staying on the Board is Michilla Blaise, a long-time aide to then-alderman Helen Shiller. 

Ms. Blaise has been featured on our pages before, including a little backroom politics awfully similar to the current controversy concerning Helen Shiller and the Zoning Board of Appeals we covered last week.

And in a final note, longtime readers will also remember that Ms. Zaccor is the wife of longtime Helen Shiller supporter Alan Mills. Plenty of circles to draw here.

Our loser-winners will be in power on the board until 2026, when each district will be split into halves and all 20 members will be elected, not appointed. But until then, more than half the board will serve at the discretion of Brandon Johnson, who is, of course, closely aligned with the CTU.

It's gonna be interesting.

Want Some Drugs with Your Pizza?

From our reader emails, last week:

I am sick of Gigios [ed: 4643 N. Broadway] and want to do something about what happens there every night. Until Lawrence is done and I can get off there, I end up off at Wilson and walking on Broadway to get home.

First I had to avoid the west side of Broadway because there were gang members selling drugs in the parking lot. Now I have to avoid the east side because the area in front of Gigios has the same people now dealing drugs in front of Gigios and hiding behind that building they have in front. Can you guys help?

Reader RS is not the only one with an issue, as our inbox has featured complaints about Gigio's and the behavior of people in front of the restaurant for years. But since the "outdoor cafe" opened up late last spring, things are 10,000 times worse.

Another reader sent us an email with this photo and told us a full on party was happening this week in the "outdoor dining area." 

According to our reader's email, there was a fire table inside the hut, with music playing and open air drinking. To add to the 'ambiance,' there were reportedly drug sales going on right in front of the restaurant and drug use in the doorways on either side. 

We got our hands on a couple of photos of the "sidewalk cafe," which features wood paneled walls, a roof, plastic wrap "windows" covered in "Uptown United" banners and a blue tarp. The banners and tarp of course helpfully obscure whoever is in or behind the structure from the prying eyes of the Chicago Police Department. 

We can't say Gigio's knows that drug sales are ongoing right in front of the restaurant, but the windows of Gigio's are clear and the drug market is right outside every night. Also, the add-ons to the "sidewalk cafe," including the roof, tarps, and plastic, seem to have the effect of blocking the view of the police. 

What Gigio's and its staff / owners do know is it's illegal to have a sidewalk cafe with a roof, ceiling and walls. How do we know? A helpful reader sent us the operating rules an owner would get when they apply for approval. 

First, it's illegal to ignore illegal activity: "it is the affirmative duty of the Permittee to report promptly to the police department reported to or observed...on or adjacent to the permitted Cafe Premises."

Second, "Cafe space is not intended for any use except for the operation of a Cafe. If the Cafe is set up...the Cafe must remain operational (tables and chairs set up to serve patrons during Cafe operating ours..." 

Third, a complete enclosure is illegal, as this "would technically add to the square footage of the licensed premises." 

Fourth, a fire table is illegal, as the permittee must "identify the location of any heating equipment on the enclosed plan," (and as far as we know there is no liquor license for the outdoor cafe). [We've seen the plan, nothing there about heating or a roof or walls, see below]

Our reader also sent along the City ordinances that apply:

10-28-825 requires permit holders to "comply in all respects with the specifications set out in the plan submitted to the commissioner."

10-28-855 makes permit holders "subject to and comply with all applicable requirements and standards for retail food establishments... and rules and regulations pertaining to the sale of alcoholic beverages."

And most importantly, Section 10-18-015 states that a public way use permit shall be denied or revoked if: 

(i) the granting of the public way use is not in the best interest of the public, would have a deleterious impact on the neighborhood, or would create a nuisance either on the public way or in the surrounding area; 

(ii) the design of, or materials used in, the public way use does not comport with the quality or character of the existing streetscape; 

(iii) the use interferes with or impedes the flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, or ingress or egress from any surrounding building... 

If you have an opinion on this and want to share with the City, you can do that here. "Sidewalk Cafes" are under "Consumer and Employee Protection" > "License Violations" > "Sidewalk Cafe." 

[By request: the street address is 4643 N. Broadway]

 

'My Art House Studio' Opening Soon On Wilson

 

Future home of "My Art House Studio" at 1255 W. Wilson

A storefront that has been vacant since Sheridan Park Food & Liquor closed up nearly 8 years ago will finally welcome a new tenant!

"My Art House Studio" plans to open its doors in February at 1255 W. Wilson and will host classes for kids in dance, art and creative movement. 

The idea behind MAHS began during the COVID-19 pandemic when founder Morgan Maxon realized kids needed a creative outlet to enhance their understanding of the world around them. MAHS has been operating out of a temporary location in Edgewater and this (very large) space will be a  permanent home.

A complete list of all of the classes and camps that are offered can be found on their website. 

We are thrilled to see a storefront on Wilson Avenue brought back to life after years of being empty. We wish "My Art House Studio" much success in enriching the lives of neighborhood kids!

Follow them on Facebook or Instagram!

New Women's Reproductive Healthcare Coming To Broadway, But Ald. Clay Isn't Telling the Community

4647 Broadway, courtesy of Google Streetview

For many months now, we have been following the slow-moving developments as the former co-working space (the old 'Z Wallis' building) at 4647 N Broadway transitions into a new use. 

After the building hit the market in the fall of 2023, it sold quickly. The sale (for $1.3 million) was finalized in late December of 2023. Research suggested a women's reproductive healthcare facility was likely, and tipsters confirmed our hunch. 

However, we have not seen nor heard anything from Alderwoman Clay's office about the planned transition to a women's reproductive health facility, so it is left to us to break the news.

Involved readers have kept us up to date on details, and we recently received an email update suggesting Alderwoman Clay's silence and inaction are preventing the new facility from opening to the public and serving women in need:

"[O]ur Alderwoman holding information from the community, as opposed to helping people to understand/ learn/ care/ prepare/ etc. is just not ok. Not surprising, as it seems to be her M.O. to avoid actually having to deal with the community (especially businesses), but it's not ok.

4649 North Broadway was bought by DBS LOTUS MGMT HOLDING (who run other abortion/care clinics throughout the state). We are told they have been working with Alder Clay for months now, pulled permits in July and started work in September, with an intent to open the clinic in Q1 of 2025.

From what we understand, the company itself has done everything by the books, is totally above board, and has offered to do community meetings and get information out so the community is not taken by surprise by news of this type. 

But it seems the Alder, in what appears to be an ongoing quest to avoid every having to deal with any of the community she is supposed to serve, is avoiding/ delaying/ dragging her feet. 

• We are told they will be opening in Q1 of 2025 and, in our humble opinion, the neighborhood businesses and community members should be told about this news. 
• We should be celebrating, if not at least coming together to support, an organization and doctors who are willing to provide the care that women need. 
• Businesses should be preparing for the good (and, unfortunately, bad) things that may come with an organization like this such as protestors, etc. 

The longer the information is held by Alder Clay[-Shiller], the less time people have to prepare themselves, to learn, to discuss, and to be ready to support the women who may need the most support of all when entering/exiting.

In 'total hearsay' (but what initially sparked our interest in this) A business a couple of doors down informed us that Alder Clay's team removed certain permit items which had displayed the name so as 'not to cause concern'.  We cannot directly verify this claim, so take it with a grain of salt. As far as we are aware, the Alder has not told any businesses of this yet, even those directly next to the location."

Here at UU, we agree wholeheartedly with the sentiments expressed in the email. We  unwaveringly support women's healthcare, and in this era of national turmoil, we are grateful Illinois is a haven for choice.

Since Alderwoman Clay has not done her part, it falls to us (and our tipster / readers) to share the news and the discussion that comes with this type of transition. 

For Ms. Clay to think this will seamlessly happen without pushback, and go forward without public comment or input, is living in denial. 

At the very least, neighbors and nearby businesses must be informed to prepare themselves for the protests that inevitably follow a women's clinic that provides reproductive healthcare. 

It seems -- to its credit -- that the company is willing and prepared to meet with the neighbors and businesses. So why is Alderwoman Clay keeping the community in the dark? What will it take to get her to inform the residents she supposedly represents about key developments right next door?

To illustrate the point, in her newsletter dated 12/13/2024, the alderwoman talks about meeting with constituents to discuss the new city budget. She also touts meeting on the "Connecting Communities on Broadway" initiative that would bring new businesses to Broadway. 

But on this project -- she remains silent. 

• No mention of "actively engag[ing] with neighbors, small businesses, and community groups across the ward" about this facility, like she says she did about budget concerns.
• No community notice about this one particular business on Broadway during an open house meant to "encourage additional housing and new businesses, starting with our Broadway Corridor."

As residents, business owners, voters and constituents, we have to wonder why we're not being informed -- especially when the parent company is reputable, experienced, and willing to engage the community and its concerns.

What else is being kept from us?

Bring Light to Puptown Park

 

Aerial view of lighting plan for Puptown Park

via Puptown:

"We continue to advocate for the installation of lighting at Puptown to make it accessible and welcoming well into the evening hours.

Puptown Dog Park is one of Chicago's most popular dog parks. With Uptown's high-density housing and accessible street parking, Puptown attracts ample visitation during daylight hours.

However, Puptown remains underused because it lacks adequate nighttime lighting. Dog owners rarely visit after daylight hours due to poor lighting.

Please sign our online petition to demonstrate our strong community support for this very worthwhile investment. Our community is over 100 members strong, and our goal is to bring over 100 signatures to Alder Hoppenworth and the Park District leadership.

Mike Brown, the Supervisor of Margate Park Fieldhouse, supports our efforts and will advocate for us. The first step is to show our strong community support."

Sign the petition HERE.

Helen Shiller Agonistes: A Cannabis Story

Former 46th Ward Ald. Helen Shiller
(photo: Neighbors for Angela Clay FB)

So old friend Helen Shiller is apparently up to her old tricks, just this time as an appointed member of the Zoning Board of Appeals. 

Our readers will recall Brandon Johnson appointed Shiller to the powerful position on ZBA back in early summer. With years of following Ms. Shiller under our belt, we wondered when she would be involved in controversy again. 

The answer was "not long." 

In this recent Chicago Tribune article (paywalled), Ms. Shiller is accused by Streeterville residents of committing an ethics violation when she cast the tie-breaking vote in favor of a controversial cannabis dispensary in Streeterville.

The back story is a well-connected owner-operator (Green House LLC) sought a zoning variance to allow them to open a cannabis dispensary at 600 N. Fairbanks. 

The problem? The proposed dispensary is within 500 feet of a school (Guidepost Montessori at 226 E. Illinois). 

After neighbors and school parents mobilized in opposition and the area block club, Streeterville Organization for Active Residents (SOAR) pointed out that the location would not be able to host a liquor license due to the proximity to the school, the city zoning administrator recommended the Zoning Board deny the claim. 

When the application made it to the Zoning Board of Appeals, however, the ZBA voted in favor despite opposition. Former 46th Ward  Alderwoman Shiller was the deciding vote to allow the new use.

Per the Tribune article, former Alderwoman Shiller's son works with the business and helped them get their license. Deborah Gershbein, the president of SOAR, called Shiller's vote in favor "a major conflict of interest" given her son's work with the business. Shiller, for her part, claimed she would be "impartial" despite the close contact (although she has recused herself on other cases).

A few tipsters have written in to forward the article and one suggested we check out the City's "Ethics Restrictions: A Plain English Guide for Appointed City of Chicago Officials." This would apply to Ms. Shiller given her appointment by Mayor Johnson.

In the section entitled "Employment of Relatives or Domestic Partners," the ethics guide states:

Appointed officials may not participate in the making of any City decision involving any person who employs or has contacts with their relatives or domestic partner..."

Certainly sounds like Ms. Shiller has 'participated in the making' of a City decision involving a relative, but who are we to say?

Maybe Ms. Shiller got an "advisory opinion" from the City Board of Ethics approving her participation and vote, and maybe she is poised to share that opinion. Or maybe she just ignored the conflict of interest, promising that her relationship with her son Brendan would be of no consequence. But she's been here before with Brendan and cannabis shops. 

Some people, including our tipsters and the local block club SOAR, seem to think she crossed the line. What say you, dear readers?