Rezoning for Shops 96 development approved in St. John

Plans for a major retail development in St. John are moving forward following a decision by the Town Council…. …The change from the previous zoning of small planned unit development and commercial zoning will allow developer Bruce Boyer to have more flexibility for his development on the site for Shops 96. Shops 96 is a…

River North’s Getting a Healthy Fast-Casual Asian Restaurant in the Former Chili’s

The empty River North storefront belonging to the city’s only Chili’s (excluding O’Hare International Airport) is about to get a new tenant. Brightwok Kitchen, a fast-casual Asian restaurant, aims to open a second location by early July at State and Ontario streets. The 1,500-square-foot restaurant is smaller than Brightwok’s Loop location and will focus more on to-go…

Thai rolled ice cream comes to the Magnificent Mile, plus other restaurant news

On a recent Friday at the food court at The Shops at North Bridge, one woman quickly whipped out her phone and recorded the quick chop-chop-chop of scrapers rolling up cigarette-shaped tubes of ice cream, which were subsequently nested into a colorful paper cup and topped with a macaron, a special thanks for her video recording…

Gene Simmons’ Rock and Brews Restaurant Coming To Oak Lawn

Attention KISS Army! Get ready to party every day because a new Rock and Brews is coming to Stony Creek Promenade in Oak Lawn. The restaurant concept is backed by rock legends Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley of KISS fame. Rock and Brews is based out of California with more than 20 locations nationwide, and is big supporter of veterans….

Topgolf Coming To Motorola Solutions Campus Redevelopment

UrbanStreet Group’s redevelopment of the Schaumburg Motorola Solutions campus landed its first confirmed tenant. The Village of Schaumburg announced Topgolf will build a 67K SF events and entertainment complex within the campus, now known as Veridian. Topgolf is expected to break ground on the project at 1299 East Algonquin Road on the campus’ western edge later this…

The Kingpins of Leasing

The Real Deal’s ranking of the top leasing deals and brokerages in major markets in the U.S. reveals that, despite efforts by national firms to boost their retail teams in recent years, the marketing of stores is still largely a local game outside of Los Angeles and New York City… …To rank the top brokerages…

Andersonville’s New Furious Spoon Starts Serving Spicy Ramen Tonight

Ramen lovers in Andersonville have a new option in the neighborhood as Furious Spoon opens its latest location tonight. The ramen shop from chef Shin Thompson and pals debuted its latest at 5406 N. Clark Street. This 1,000-square-foot spot is a 30-seater that serves noodle bowls and cocktails in the same atmosphere as previous restaurants in Boystown,…

Andersonville’s Getting a Colectivo Coffee Cafe Later This Year

After opening cafes in Lincoln Park and Logan Square, Milwaukee-based Colectivo Coffee is coming to Andersonville with plans to unleash the company’s third coffeeshop in Chicago. Colectivo’s latest is slated for a late summer or early fall opening, according to a spokesperson. The space is at Clark Street and Rascher Avenue at 5425 N. Clark Street Eater…

Urban Air Adventure Park Opening Soon In Crystal Lake

Urban Air Adventure Park is planning to open soon in Crystal Lake, bringing to town another option for families and children looking to get out and burn off some energy. The recreation center, located at 220 Exchange Drive, Unit F, in Crystal Lake, will include trampolines, including wall-to-wall trampolines; dodgeball arenas; a warrior obstacle course;…

Halal Guys Will Open a Wicker Park Restaurant Along Milwaukee Avenue

The Halal Guys, New York’s street meat phenomenon, will open another Chicago location. The chain heads to the Hipster Highway in Wicker Park, taking over the FireFin Poke Shop space at 1415 N. Milwaukee Avenue. This would be the chain’s third Chicago restaurant, and they plan on opening in April, according to a rep. Eater…

Three Thai Ice Cream Shops Will Roll Into Downtown Chicago

Downtown Chicago is about to see more Thai rolled ice cream as Wonderoll, a new ice cream parlor chain, is opening locations at Water Tower Place and at The Shops at North Bridge. But before that pair opens, Wonderoll will debut on March 1 near Willis Tower, sharing the same space as a new 50-seat Sixty Five Chinese Restaurant —…

Logan Square Could Be Getting Its Own Boozy Taco Bell

Logan Square could be getting its own boozy taco bell. The restaurant chain wants to open a cantina — similar to the one in Wicker Park — at 2432 N. Milwaukee Ave., according to the office of 1st Ward Ald. Joe Moreno. The storefront is situated on a rapidly changing stretch of Milwaukee Avenue that includes a host of…