A reader sends in this photo from an advertisement on the L:
"I noticed this ad on the red line today from Potbelly that mentions a new "Uptown" chicken salad. It seems odd that Chicago-based Potbelly would name a salad "Uptown" yet have no location here. I would love to have one here! We have plenty of empty storefronts. Maybe we can get UU readers to flood Potbelly with emails suggesting they open a store in Uptown?"
Potbelly's is an interesting chain. They don't seem to go into run-of-the-mill locations like Subway or Jimmy Johns would, and instead they seem to like the historic spots like the former Greyhound Depot at Wabash and Roosevelt and on the corner of the former Daily News building. With the CTA booting the market from the Wilson stationhouse, maybe once construction is finished, Potbelly's can take that spot? Albeit small, I think the combination of large(r) chains like Potbelly's and Target can really be a positive catalyst for Uptown, in addition to the Borders and all the great local stores and eateries around here already.
ReplyDelete-Brian
Don't forget the "Uptown Turkey" sandwich at Corner Bakery...also sadly missing from uptown
ReplyDeleteI have literally been emailing Potbelly's for two years now trying to get them to open an Uptown location. Please, please join me because apparently one person's requests are not enough. I am a bit obsessed with Potbelly's and would LOVE to see them have a closer location than Lincoln Square or Belmont. And yes, I am completely serious that I have already been emailing them on my own...love my turkey on wheat with hot peppers!
ReplyDeleteAs I recall, we can thank Soloman Chu from the Chamber (not sure if he is still a member) for not having Potbelly's here. Apparently Potbelly's was interested a few years back - specifically to locate near Truman College, but Soloman said "the poor kids at Truman can't afford their sandwiches."
ReplyDeleteUptown's chamber scared a business away. Go figure.
Just researched. Soloman is gone. Thankfully...
ReplyDeleteJimmy Johns is more expensive than Potbelly.
ReplyDeleteE-mail sent.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't bring a business to uptown. At least not while the area is so toxic. Just because they have "uptown" in their name doesn't mean that they should have a location here. uptown is a pretty generic term.
ReplyDeleteAs long as there is no political will to change uptown for the better, nothing will change. Perhaps I am too pessimistic, but the fact is, the glass isn't half full or half empty. the glass is broken on the sidewalk in a puddle of stale homeless guy urine.
My old eyes can't quite make out the components of the Uptown Salad shown on the board. If it's true to the Uptown we know and love, one can only assume it has an assortment of cigarette butts, broken glass and various other discarded litter. Instead of grilled chicken breast, it would have to have some type of fish since we'll have a fish farm if Helen has her way. This will all be served, by the way, on a bed of green lettuce representative of all the green cash that's flowing into Wilson Yard redevelopment. Oh, and to make it truly an Uptown experience- if you own a condo the cashier immediately becomes surly and shouts at you.
ReplyDeleteI hear the TIF Tunamelt is good too.
ReplyDeleteI am sending an e-mail as well. Uptown might not be the best location but you need to start somewhere. Let's start right with bring establishments with good business sense. It is good to buy low so perfect opportunity for business to get here now.
ReplyDelete