Saturday, March 19, 2011

Ink & Drink?

This sign for a zoning change (to "establish a tavern") was posted last week in the empty storefront next to the Tattoo Factory. 

So we asked around and found out that the owner wants to take advantage of the getting-tats-with-ten-or-fifteen-of-your-closest-friends trend.  What better place to wait and admire your buddy's new body art?  He's also hoping to get a permit for a sidewalk cafe.

Seems to us like a win/win for the neighborhood:  Another empty Broadway storefront gets filled; a for-profit business starts adding to the tax base; and there are more eyes on the street if the patio permit gets okayed.  The fact that a lot of cops hang out at Tattoo Factory doesn't hurt, either.

Sure beats the usual waiting room motif of  static-y tvs, turn-of-the-century magazines, and cracked naugahyde couches.  In fact, we think all waiting areas should serve booze.  Would definitely make waiting for oil changes and dentists a whole lot more appealing.

5 comments:

  1. Sounds like a real winner to me. The prices at the Tattoo Factory are higher then most but the work is quality and never fade out. I got some that are 10 years old and they look like I had them made yesterday.

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  2. Not saying I'm averse to this, but does Uptown really need another bar or restaurant? (maybe we do, it just seems we have plenty)

    Still, at least it's not a ghetto business like the ones I've mentioned in the past. Now hopefully they can get someone in that building next to the methadone clinic.

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  3. There must be phenomenal money in tattoos since they managed to hire the most connected Zoning attorney in town to handle the Zoning appeal.

    http://www.progressillinois.com/banks-backgrounder

    That thing is a done deal.

    And Uptown definitely needs more restaurants and bars. I remember the Sun-Times ran a map last year showing through a miracle of urban (not) development that the 46th ward has barely half as many bars and restaurants as any of the surrounding wards.

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  4. Maybe I'm wrong then...I certainly didn't mean that I'd hate seeing this place open, esp. considering what COULD end up there.

    Maybe I don't notice it as much since I rarely ever eat out. Maybe this well-connected zoning attorney has need for a paralegal...I really need a job.

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  5. There's already a bar/restaurant on the other side of the Tattoo Factory; I'm not sure why you'd get your panties in a twist about it.

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