Every time I walk around Logan Square there’s something new happening. Here are a few photos from a few recent walks. First, from the end of August:
I noticed Galerie F on Milwaukee Avenue, just south of Fullerton. According to their website they “specializes in silkscreen gig posters, art prints, and street art are open to the public six days a week, no appointment necessary.”
This was already on my radar, but I noticed a few weeks ago that Chicago Diner has papered up the windows with “Something Veggie This Way Comes” which always makes me get this Jakob Dylan song in my head. Chicago Diner is a vegan restaurant that has been in Lakeview for almost 30 years. This will be its second location and it’s in the old Logan Square Kitchen space.
From a mid-September walk:
I noticed this teal blue building renovation back in 2010 and speculated that was where Jam was going to go. Well, we know that’s not true, because Jam opened on the Boulevard. The building has been empty, as far as I can tell, for two years, but now there is a sign saying that Suite 25, an ultra sports lounge (?), is opening. Not sure what to make of this place.
Dos de Oro is going out of business. Big sales, everything must go. Maybe time for me to get a pair of kickass cowboy boots? Also? I think this place used to be called La Casa del Vaquero, and used to have some crazy stuffed buffalo, horse and ostriches in the windows a few years back. Wonder what happened.
The Loft Bar is not necessarily new. Dallas and I noticed it a few months back. I find it odd that I can barely find anything about it online. It’s pretty much in the car wash, the way that the Philly’s Best is right there too. Anyone know anything?
I keep hearing about Orchestra Hall lately. I think it just opened not too long ago. I guess it’s a recording studio + performance space + they have classes?
Late in August, I heard that the old Max Gerber showroom was being demolished. By the time I went over to take a look, it was pretty much gone.
Later on in September, all that’s left now is a green fence around an empty lot.
I contacted Alderman Joe Moreno to find out what was going on. All he would say is that “The owner has decided to take the building down for security and financial reasons… There is no immediate plan to build at the location yet.” I could give you a whole list of things I’d like to see there, but the #1 request is a supermarket!
Howdy! New neighbor here. We bought a place on Belden about a year ago. I was sad to see the Max Gerber building come down, I really liked the facade. But if they put in a grocery store there it would be amazing…
Hi, Sean. Welcome to the neighborhood. I would love a grocery store too!
I second the request for a grocery store (especially a trader joe’s!)! Have you been to city lit or the little shop next to the logan square theater yet? I heard that intelligentsia is moving into the neighborhood too, and am curious as to where it will be.
Trader Joe’s right there would be amazing! I thought I read somewhere on Every Block that TJ’s didn’t think our neighborhood was right for them…. I still hold out hope though.
I haven’t been in City Lit, but I have been by it a few times. It looks so cute! I heard that the Intelligentsia is going into the space that used to be Nothin’ Less. I have not been to the new shop by the theatre yet.
Also, heard that the Congress Theater’s renovation partner has pulled out, so who knows what’s going to happen there. And that a new bar is going in by Dunlay’s called Billy Sunday.
I had heard that at one point, TJ’s was poised to open up in the little shopping center by Target (the one where homegoods, potbellys, etc. are), but they had problems with permits and didn’t move forward with it. I think they really need to be convinced that the poor, underserved hipster population in this food desert that is Logan Square need a TJ’s!
So, can we get a petition for a Trader Joe’s in that spot? The neighborhood has dramatically changed in the last couple of years – I’d think LS is right in TJ’s demo now.
Hi, Robin – Last year I filled out this “Location Request” form on the Trader Joe’s website. I saw it linked from this post on EveryBlock. Maybe if we all fill it out again……. ??
I know they are not everyone’s ideal grocery store, but Milwaukee/California produce is pretty awesome and open to new items. If you want to see something there, just ask. They started carrying Sabinas tortilla chips just because I asked, and they now have Milk & Honey Granola, and now carry organic eggs. Seriously, this is an underused resource. They are local and very nice.
I do go to the produce stand often.. and the convenience store right by the train stop. They are both very accommodating and will stock things if you ask, but I don’t feel like either (or both combined) fulfill all of my shopping needs. That’s what would be awesome. If there was one place in the neighborhood that I could go and do all of my shopping.
agreed. I’m like the rest that I wish Trader Joes would build there. My wife and I drive to the places we buy from mostly – Marianos now along with Whole Foods, Genes for meat. We really don’t shop at TJ’s as much as we used to but that would of course change if it was the nearest store. Danny’s has really bad produce I have noticed so we don’t really ever shop there.
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