There have been so many new places that have opened since we moved to Logan Square just under two years ago – The Rocking Horse, Cole’s, Longman & Eagle, Dill Pickle Food Co-op, New Wave Coffee, Revolution Brewery, Logan Square Kitchen, Ciao Napoli Pizzeria, Sparrow, to name a few. It seems that every week I hear about even more new places opening here. It’s an exciting time to be in Logan Square. I love going to new places and I can’t help but think this will be good for the market value of our condo if we choose to sell it one day. Here are a list of even more new things I’ve been hearing about … and all within short walking distance from where I live!
The Bike Lane is a new bike shop in Logan Square on Milwaukee Avenue across the street from the Congress Theater. I noticed it one night while walking home a couple months ago and took a quick photo.
A few weeks ago Dallas and I needed to get a new bike pump so we walked over and bought one at The Bike Lane. The inside of the store had a just-moved-in feeling, but the guy that helped us out was very nice and they had a good selection of what we were looking for.
A few weeks ago we were at Summer Sessions on the Square. Afterwards, Stephanie and I were shopping around at Wolfbait and B-Girls. We noticed that something new opened right next door to the store. We were talking to someone who worked at Wolfbait and she mentioned that a new salon had opened that very day. It’s called Barbara and Barbara and their website says they do a shampoo, cut, blowdry and beer for $20. Perfect hipster combo at the perfect hipster price!
If you’ve been following along here on this fine website, you’ll remember a preview I attended for a new pizza place called Nice Slice. Well, Nice Slice changed its name to Boiler Room and opened last week. I know some of the people involved in this project and was invited to the opening, but I had other plans that night. I hope to visit really soon.
Bucket ‘O Blood Books and Records opened last month on Milwaukee Avenue near the intersection of California. I haven’t been inside yet, but their sign says they specialize in fiction, fantasy, horror, vinyl, and “awesome.” Awesome!
A couple months ago I wrote about Cafe Mustache opening on Milwaukee Avenue near the California Avenue intersection. I noticed this morning that on the Cafe Mustache Facebook page, they announced that they’re opening their doors on Monday, July 19 and having a preview on Sunday night. Yay!
In February I noticed that Letizia’s is opening on California Avenue, just south of Logan Boulevard. I thought it’d be open by now, but everyone’s still waiting eagerly for the work to be completed.
As I noticed last month, Play is a children’s toy and gift store that is slated to open this summer. That’s about all I know about it. Play will be located in the same building as New Wave.
One more that I mentioned previously, La Boulangerie is a bakery coming to Logan Square and will also be located in the same building as New Wave and Play.
Jam is a restaurant in Ukrainian Village that I’ve been hearing some very good things about their brunch. It has been in the back of my head forever that I should try it out and I never have. A couple weeks ago I heard they’re opening a second location in Logan Square on Milwaukee Avenue, nearby New Wave. I don’t know the exact location, but there’s a storefront just to the south of The Rocking Horse that is being renovated and it’s my #1 guess.
Finally, yesterday Grub Street reported that they were walking around Milwaukee Avenue trying to figure out exactly where Jam is going to be when they noticed a storefront with a new awning. Just to the north of The Rocking Horse is going to be Wasabi Japanese restaurant.
There is one new Logan Square business on Milwaukee Avenue at Richmond that I am not that excited for, though:
The new Cash America pawn shop! At least it looks nicer than 99% of the pawn shops I’ve seen.
But mostly, though, I’m so excited for these new developments. Logan Square is the place to be these days!!!
Update 06.19.10: I forgot, there’s also a new coffee shop called Nothin’ Less that opened a few months ago on Milwaukee Avenue just north of the Logan Square blue line stop.
Bucket O Blood is fantastic for what it specializes in. If you like sci-fi/fantasy/horror, it’s a gold mine. And the owner knows his stuff.
Hi Rachelle, what a fun blog entry! The space just south of the Rocking Horse (2529 N. Milwaukee) is almost certainly going to be a restaurant. If you look on Chicago DCAP’s permit application for this space, it’s got all of the hallmarks of a restaurant buildout, including the necessary reviews for “food service.” By the way, the Boiler Room is a lot of fun!
I noticed on Saturday that there’s another renovation going on in a building just one south of New Wave, so that could be a potential Jam location as well.
We went to Boiler Room on Saturday. Love the unique interior.
Sunday I went to Nothin’ Less and had an iced coffee. Cute spot. Lots of exposed brick and a fireplace.
This morning I had to drop something off at the cleaners so I stopped next door at Cafe Mustache, which just opened yesterday. Really good coffee. It’s Bridgeport Coffee they’re serving. And Bleeding Heart pastries. The barista lives on our block, we chatted a bit.
I totally missed the opening of Barbara & Barbara; thanks for the intel.
Yea, that’s my guess for Jam too. I’ve never been to the first, though, so I don’t know. Is it almost too much exterior renovation/attention? Whatever it’s for, it’s very specific.
Here’s a little update. My wife and I had dinner a couple of weeks ago at JAM and the waiter told us the new Logan Square location will be on Logan Boulevard somewhere but he didn’t know exactly where. He was either being a bit secretive or didn’t know for sure, so I didn’t want to push too much. I like being surprised, so I guess we’ll find out soon enough.
Sam, thanks for the update. Logan Boulevard, huh? Hm…
I ate at the old Jams location the on their last day there. Let me know as soon as the 2nd location opens.