If there's one street that's always changing, with retailers, restaurants and bars coming and going, it's Division Street. Here are the latest openings and closings.
OPENINGS:
Wicker Park Athletic Club at 1635 W. Division St.: More details have emerged from Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide about the new gym going in the old post office site. The gym, which will open in "late Spring" 2012, has 20,000 square feet full of free weights, cardio machines and three group exercise studios that will include group exercise like yoga, spinning and other fitness classes similar to the chain's other five locations throughout the Chicagland area. Full-service locker rooms will be offered for members.
Estate Ultra Bar at 1177 N. Elston Ave: This is a little outside our usual coverage zone, but worth mentioning nonetheless because of the novelty factor. Remember "Slow Down, Life's Too Short," that massive and very eclectic bar with a huge patio and quirky decor at Division and Elston? It closed in 2004, but the space will be reborn sometime soon as Estate Ultra Bar, which has been designed to look like a mansion of one of your old moneyed relatives. According to Eater:
CLOSINGS:
Real Naked Foods at 1909 W. Division St: In what should come as a shock to absolutely no one, Real Naked Foods, the small-scale organic grocery store, closed its doors earlier this week after less than nine months in business. Readers reported that paper is up in the windows and all of the shelves were being moved out. The owner could not be reached for comment. Your thoughts? Readers have commented about unpredictable hours, aloof employees and scant merchandise. Does this neighborhood not have a market for a smaller grocery store or could you see one succeeding here in the future?
Renegade Handmade's Retail Shop at 1924 W. Division St: AV Club reported that Renegade Handmade's brick and mortar store will soon close. When reached by phone, a staffer told us that the handmade craft shop will close their doors at the end of January. The date for the fall Chicago festival -- which will still be held on Division Street -- will be announced in late January or early February. The group decided to focus exclusively on its nationwide craft festivals and street fairs. While we're sad to see another retail shop bite the dust, at least Division Street will be home to the late summer and holiday festivals.
Editors' Note: Things are always changing on Division Street -- especially around this time of year -- and we can't keep up with it all without our neighbors' eyes and ears on the street. Thanks sending your tips to divisionliving@gmail.com.
OPENINGS:
Wicker Park Athletic Club at 1635 W. Division St.: More details have emerged from Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide about the new gym going in the old post office site. The gym, which will open in "late Spring" 2012, has 20,000 square feet full of free weights, cardio machines and three group exercise studios that will include group exercise like yoga, spinning and other fitness classes similar to the chain's other five locations throughout the Chicagland area. Full-service locker rooms will be offered for members.
Estate Ultra Bar at 1177 N. Elston Ave: This is a little outside our usual coverage zone, but worth mentioning nonetheless because of the novelty factor. Remember "Slow Down, Life's Too Short," that massive and very eclectic bar with a huge patio and quirky decor at Division and Elston? It closed in 2004, but the space will be reborn sometime soon as Estate Ultra Bar, which has been designed to look like a mansion of one of your old moneyed relatives. According to Eater:
"Once renovations are complete, the space will boast multiple different rooms including an atrium with fireplaces, a private trophy room and a living room with views of the river. There will be one large wraparound bar that will serve the space with 28 beers on tap. In the spring, Estate will open its outdoor spaces, a rooftop sky deck and sky lounge, gazebo, terrace and boat dock with additional bars added."They've already opened for a preview event on New Year's Eve and from their Facebook page it seems as though their "playful American" menu is pretty close to being done, so we're thinking the opening will be in the very near future. Do you think destination bar hoppers will venture over to the run-down warehouse/river district for the newest "hip" spot, even though there's not much else nearby?
CLOSINGS:
Real Naked Foods at 1909 W. Division St: In what should come as a shock to absolutely no one, Real Naked Foods, the small-scale organic grocery store, closed its doors earlier this week after less than nine months in business. Readers reported that paper is up in the windows and all of the shelves were being moved out. The owner could not be reached for comment. Your thoughts? Readers have commented about unpredictable hours, aloof employees and scant merchandise. Does this neighborhood not have a market for a smaller grocery store or could you see one succeeding here in the future?
Renegade Handmade's Retail Shop at 1924 W. Division St: AV Club reported that Renegade Handmade's brick and mortar store will soon close. When reached by phone, a staffer told us that the handmade craft shop will close their doors at the end of January. The date for the fall Chicago festival -- which will still be held on Division Street -- will be announced in late January or early February. The group decided to focus exclusively on its nationwide craft festivals and street fairs. While we're sad to see another retail shop bite the dust, at least Division Street will be home to the late summer and holiday festivals.
Editors' Note: Things are always changing on Division Street -- especially around this time of year -- and we can't keep up with it all without our neighbors' eyes and ears on the street. Thanks sending your tips to divisionliving@gmail.com.
When I come back to visit, I won't even recognize this street!
ReplyDeleteDidn't the shoe store PUMPS also close?
ReplyDeleteAs for small grocery stores, I wish they would open one like Olivia's in Bucktown.
it looks like grow has closed as well.
ReplyDelete