News

Taco Bell will convert three of its traditional restaurants into Cantinas this year as part of a test to see if suburban consumers enjoy the more upscale locations as much as urbanites. The Yum Brands chain opened its first Cantina in 2015 as a way to appeal to customers who were spending their money on…

An indoor nine-hole miniature golf course and bar is one swing closer to opening in Wicker Park. Located at 1302 N. Milwaukee Ave, The Big Mini needs a zoning change in order to receive a building permit. And to receive a zoning change, they needed help from neighbors. The Wicker Park Committee voted unanimously Wednesday…

A pot-inspired sandwich chain is coming to Chicago to capitalize on the buzz over legal recreational marijuana as Cheba Hut inches toward its debut in the city with two locations. One local franchisee has signed a lease in Wicker Park, the company confirmed, while another is working to lock down a space in Wrigleyville or…

Founders of a new Mayfair winery presented their plans — and their wines — to supportive Irving Park neighbors this week. Meta Wine plans to open a wholesale wine operation along with tasting room and shop at a cavernous former ice warehouse at 4300 W. Montrose Ave. Meta Wine founder Walter Clements, general manager Jennifer…

Contractors are busy working this week inside the former Babies R Us store in Shorewood. It’s being converted into a Marshalls department store. The new Marshalls will go near the Staples store in the same shopping plaza along Route 59 that includes the Mariano’s grocery store. Bugle Newspapers recently published an article revealing Marshalls would open its new…

The chef behind S.K.Y. in Pilsen is preparing to open his second restaurant. Stephen Gillanders homaged his wife’s initials at S.K.Y., now he’s honoring his grandmother’s name with Apolonia, scheduled to open in early fall in South Loop. He and his staff will focus on European-Mediterranean cuisine. The 100-seater is at 2201 S. Michigan Avenue, near McCormick Place…

HomeGoods will open in Carbondale on February 23. The new 20,800 square-foot store is located in University Place at 1300 East Main Street. HomeGoods merchandise departments include furniture, rugs, lighting, decorative accessories, kitchen and dining, bedding, bath, kids’ decor and toys, pet accessories, storage, workspace, outdoor, gourmet, wellness and more. KFCS12 // Steve Pobst //…

Topgolf Entertainment Group has opened a new, smaller format combining an upscale restaurant and bar with virtual gaming experiences. The fast-growing sports and entertainment company debuted the concept, called Lounge by Topgolf, at Kirkland Urban, a new 1.2 million sq.-ft. mixed-use residential and retail development in downtown Kirkland, Wash. The venue houses a 9,200-sq.-ft. restaurant,…

PharmaCann, a Chicago-based weed company that operates in multiple states, is looking to open a dispensary in Logan Square, its first in the city. The company has submitted applications to open the dispensary in the Logan Square State and Savings Bank building at 2551 N. Milwaukee Ave., according to legislation filed with the city. It’s…

The developers of the $300 million Bottleworks District in downtown Indianapolis have announced two more tenants joining The Garage food hall. The new tenants plan to open next summer as part of the project’s first phase. A new concept, Azucar Morena, plans to offer Venezuelan fare, and the Chicago-based Furious Spoon will open a ramen shop….