Holiday No More? 7 Story Development Slated For Sheridan & Irving Park

4000-4006 N. Sheridan (Google)

This one really came out of left field. 

Neighbors near Sheridan & Irving Park tipped us off that a "Public Notice" sign has appeared in a window of the vintage building at Sheridan and Irving. Per the sign, the building, most notably home to "Holiday Club," will be replaced with a 7 story, 92 unit development with 36 parking spaces by Catapult Real Estate Solutions. Because of its proximity to the Sheridan Red Line Station and bus routes, it would qualify as a transit oriented development (TOD).

The parcel is zoned B3-5 so this is being completed "as of right," meaning no zoning change will be requested. 2 variations and special use for residences on first floor are being requested. 

Without a zoning change, the city's affordable requirement ordinance will not kick in for either on or off-site affordable units. 

It's still very early in the process and no rendering is available, but hopefully the street level facade could be repurposed. Here's to hoping!

We'd love to see this development across the street in the vacant lot, but Thorek Hospital has been landbanking that lot for some time now. We do love the added density so close to transit, and with the upcoming Sheridan Station rehab (fingers crossed) and the new building in progress at 4102 Sheridan, this is suddenly a hot corridor. 

In a perfect world, Holiday Club could move across the street into the beautifully landmarked and vacant Egyptian building formerly home to Nick's Uptown. That building has been vacant for far too long.

Stay tuned!

Public Notice signage at 4006 N. Sheridan

What's Going On With JASC?

As we posted last October, the Black Ensemble Theater group has bought the large building and parking lot at 4427 North Clark, with plans to revitalize that block. 

The seller of the building is the Japanese American Service Committee, whose presence in Uptown goes back 76 years. JASC announced its new home will be 5700 North Lincoln.

Recently there was heavy equipment seen on Clark Street, with rumors flying that demolition of the building was underway.

We can say with full confidence that this is untrue. Both Jackie Taylor of Black Ensemble Theater and JASC state that JASC is still in possession of the building, at least through 2023, and its programs are continuing there.

From the Japanese American Service Committee in an email blast:

"Keep Saturday, November 11 open for the 2023 Holiday Delight & Kodomo Matsuri! 

Be part of the fun, food, cultural performances, and shop the unique vendors at Holiday Delight. Let’s celebrate before the big move to 5700 N. Lincoln in 2024.

Interested in being a vendor? Fill out an online application by clicking here.

Interested in helping the planning committee? Click here to email Jenn.

Questions? Contact Jenn Trautvetter at the JASC office (773-275-0097, ext. 228) or by email to jtrautvetter@jasc-chicago.org."

And in a recent statement, Jackie Taylor wrote:

"It has come to my attention that there are thoughts in the community that Black Ensemble Theater has started demolition on the Japanese American Service Center (JASC). I want to dispel that thought. 

There is no demolition or construction of any kind going on and it will not commence without proper community engagement and input. Let me be clear, Black Ensemble Theater has absolutely no intention of starting construction or demolition of any kind until we have gone through a thorough process of listening to our communities issues and concerns and addressing them as best we can. 

What some thought was a demolition was not. We were conducting a geotech exploration which is a requirement of the City. We will go through the proper procedures as it relates to the process to be dictated by the Alderman's office as well as meeting with neighborhood community groups at their request. 

We will keep you updated on our website as we move forward and of course, I'm easy to reach at jackietaylorstar@blackensemble.org. Let's move forward together in clarity and transparency."

In On Thai Storefront Vandalized

Photo provided by reader
Cody Reynolds

Sad to say that late Tuesday evening, In-On Thai was vandalized with two windows broken out. 

We're sure it would mean a lot to the very kind owners if you gave them some business this week to help pay for the damage. 

4641 N Broadway, (773) 944-0114.

The menu link is here. #supportlocal

Dangerous Heat Ahead: Cooling Centers Open

Dangerous, and in some cases, life-threatening heat is expected Wednesday and Thursday, with the heat index expected to reach 115°. The National Weather Service says:

"EXCESSIVE HEAT WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 11AM TO 9PM CDT WEDNESDAY. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110° to 115° expected.

EXCESSIVE HEAT WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING. Dangerously hot conditions with heat index values up to 110° possible.

WHEN: 

• For the Excessive Heat Warning, from 11AM to 9PM CDT Wednesday.
• For the Excessive Heat Watch, from Wednesday evening through Thursday evening.

IMPACTS: 

The magnitude of anticipated heat, combined with oppressive warmth at night will lead to hazardous conditions, particularly for the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions. Residents of the city of Chicago can call 311 to request well being checks for elderly friends or family members, or for information on finding the nearest cooling center."

The City has released this list of cooling shelters in the Uptown area. A list for the entire city is here.

Uptown:

• Truman College, 1145 W. Wilson — M-F: 8AM-6PM
• Community Service Center, 845 W. Wilson — hours extended Wed/Thur to 8:30am-7pm
• Bezazian Library, 1226 W Ainslie — M, W: noon-7pm; Tu, Th: 10am-5pm; F, Sa: 10am-5pm
• Uptown Library, 929 W Buena — M, W: 10am-5pm; Tu, Th: noon-7pm; F, Sa: 10a-5m
• Park District Spray — Broncho Billy 4437 N Magnolia

Edgewater:

• Edgewater Library, 6000 N Broadway — M, W: 10am-5pm; Tu, Th: noon-7pm; F, Sa: 10a-5m
• Park District Spray — Senn Park, 5887 N Ridge
• Park District Spray — Cedar Park, 5315 N Winthrop
• Edgewater Satellite Senior Center (5917 N Broadway) — 8:30am-4:30pm

Of course, the most vulnerable are people living outside, and people living without air conditioning, particularly the elderly and those with medical conditions. If you see anyone in distress, please call 311 to get them to a cooling center or 911 for immediate medical assistance.

The good news is that the temperatures are projected to be in the mid-70s starting Friday.

Big Changes Coming To Max's

Image of Max's in 2021 captured by Google Streetview

Max’s Place, located at 4621 N Clark and one of the last remaining dive bars in the area, got a new lease on life when it was purchased last year. While changes were promised, new owner Micah Hilgendorf committed to keeping the spirit of "Max's" founder Maxine alive in the new bar. 

If you never went, the old Max's was best captured as a classic bar that "looks open, closed and abandoned all at once." (great photos at the link)

But Max's won't look closed and abandoned for long. Max's new owners received SBIF funding from the City for roof, tuck pointing, facade and HVAC work, which has allowed them to begin the rehab process. Scaffolding is up, a dumpster is in place, and workers are onsite. Expected completion is mid-September. 

While the charm of Max's was on the inside, the exterior was a span of blonde brick added to the storefront sometime within the last 40 years. The brick wall, with a narrow window better fit for a prison, is being replaced with a glass and brick windowed facade, allowing some light inside. 

Owner Hilgendorf told us that he tried to save the decorative metal cornice on top, but inspection showed that it was corroded and unsafe. The new cornice will have a band of limestone with decorative brick:

Max's is closed temporarily while the facade is being worked on, but patrons can expect a reopening while construction is underway. 

Also, Max's has a new logo (above) and there will soon be a new illuminated sign added to the existing Old Style sign, which was previously rehabbed with LED lighting and will remain a fully krausened fixture on Clark.

The 2023 Air & Water Show Is Over, But The Memories Remain

As has become a tradition around here, Bob Skutnick, our "Uptown friend with his eye on the sky," has sent in some stunning pictures he took of the Air and Water Show practice runs from North Avenue Beach.

Click on each photo to enlarge it, and -- as usual -- kudos and thanks to Bob.

You can check out his previous Air Show photos here. Enjoy!

Saddle & Cycle Club to Hold Short Fireworks Show Saturday Night

We (and our pets) are all aurally overwhelmed by the Air Show this weekend, but wait, there's more!

In her weekly newsletter, Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth writes:

"This Saturday, August 19, the Saddle & Cycle Club will be holding an 8-minute fireworks display at 900 W. Foster. Be advised of loud noise in the area at that time."

It's probably not worth making a special trip, given the eight-minute duration of the show, but if you're there, enjoy!

We don't know what time the show will be, but we can guess. Most Saddle & Cycle shows begin shortly after dusk, which is approximately 7:50 on Saturday.

A reminder: The grounds of the club are for club members and their guests only, but the beaches and parks around Foster and Marine are excellent viewing areas for the fireworks show.

Nothing Bundt Cakes To Hold Soft Opening On Wednesday, August 23rd

Pardon our excitement, but chocolate chocolate chip and snickerdoodle cakes have this effect on us.

The Uptown/Andersonville Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery will have its soft opening on Wednesday, August 23rd, at 9am.

Just this week, the store passed all its inspections and licensing requirements that were the only things standing in the way of being able to open its doors. We couldn't be happier to welcome a new business to our neighborhood.

Give 'em a try at 4918 North Clark Street (at Argyle) when you're in the area. Conveniently located just down the street from Dispensary 33. Coincidence? Or not?

TimeLine Theatre Receives $100K Donation Towards Its New Building On Broadway

a rendering of the new TimeLine theater building at 5035 Broadway

This week, TimeLine Theatre Company announced that it had received a $100,000 grant to help further construction of its future home in Uptown.

The generous donation was made by the TAWANI Foundation, a philanthropic 501(c)(3) organization founded by Col. Jennifer Pritzker. According to a statement, TAWANI provides support in the areas of arts and culture, historical preservation, health and wellness, LGBTQ+ and human rights, education and environmental initiatives.

5035 North Broadway today

In addition, the TAWANI Foundation is including an additional $100,000 in matching funds. According to its website, it donated $50,000 to the theater company in 2022.

In December 2018, Ald. Osterman and TimeLine announced that the organization would be moving to Uptown, having arranged to purchase a 1910 storage building at 5035 Broadway and the vacant lot immediately south of it (5033 Broadway).

Like so many well-planned ventures, there were "unexpected discoveries that necessitated continued innovation," as TimeLine tactfully put it:

• COVID came along, requiring the shuttering of live entertainment venues. TimeLine was shut down at its current (rented) space at 615 W Wellington Avenue and scrapped its entire 2020-2021 season.
• The original plan was to build a new-construction glass-fronted building in the vacant lot at 5033, and connecting it to, and renovating, the vintage building at 5035. The new building was to hold the customized 250-seat main theater.
• But then....

The CTA took over the vacant lot at 5033 to work on the Red Purple Line project; that lease lasts through 2026, making it unavailable to TimeLine until then.

Installing the main theater into the vintage building proved to be an untenable plan for many reasons:

The requirement for ceiling height in the new theater couldn't work because the 1910 building's structure was not able to support floor and ceiling changes.

A new below-ground caisson foundation system would have had to be built to support the structural changes in the building.

An evaluation showed significant deterioration of the roof parapet and existing façade that would require rebuilding and restoration. This is due to "water infiltration," words that strike fear into any property owner. It's always worse that we think, and more expensive than we expect.

TimeLine made the difficult decision to raze the existing building and build a modern building that can be customized to the specific requirements that a theater needs. TimeLine will preserve the original building on the east side of the property to be used as office space and for production operations. You can read more -- much more! -- about it in greater detail on TimeLine's website.

So, stay tuned! Getting anything done on time in the City of Chicago is always a slog, but a worldwide pandemic, the renovation of a 100-year-old transit line, and unexpected structural problems of a vintage building are truly a trifecta to be reckoned with.

Here's to TAWANI Foundation for helping TimeLine realize its dreams of a new theater building. We look forward to seeing it happen, whenever it does.

Stop, Hey, What's That Sound?

This gorgeous image from 2022 was captured by Uptowner Bob Skutnick. Click on his name for more of his Air Show pictures. They're amazing!

A gentle reminder, particularly to those who may be new to Chicago, that the Air & Water Show takes place this weekend, and the aircraft practice their moves in advance. The city says that the rehearsal day will be Friday, but in the past it's been both Thursday and Friday, so be prepared anytime.

Soooo, if you hear loud and low-flying jets around Uptown, it's likely not anything nefarious. The aircraft practice over the lake, so we have a front-row seat for some of their warm-ups. This year's show will feature the Air Force's Thunderbirds, the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, and the Chicago Fire Department Air/Sea Rescue, as well as many other civilian and military performers. (The entire lineup is here.)

In past years, Uptown residents have gotten great shots of the practice, like the one above. If you get a photo you'd like to share, either send it to uptownupdate@hotmail.com or post it to our Facebook page.

Pro Tip: If you can hear them go by, they've already passed you.

There may also be loud noises Saturday and Sunday as the planes leave for their next destinations and create sonic booms.

The actual show takes place between Navy Pier and Fullerton, with North Avenue Beach being the prime viewing spot.

"Nothing Bundt Cakes" Hiring, Preparing To Open Soon

Nothing Bundt Cakes bakery on Clark is eager to open its doors! It's just waiting on the city to issue a business license to start selling cakes. We'll keep you in the loop as soon as we find out more, but it shouldn't be long now.

And, it's hiring! If you think you're a good fit after reading the qualifications stated above, send your resume to kaitie.montefinese@nothingbundtcakes.com.

Nothing Bundt Cakes is located at 4918 North Clark, at Argyle.

We cannot wait for red velvet "Bundtinis By The Dozen" so close to home!

Bezazian Branch Library Seeking Book Donations For Its September Sale

Got books you don’t want?

We need them for the Friends of Bezazian Book Sale!

Bring all your books (except textbooks) plus CDs, DVDs, LPs, and cassettes to the library.

Collection dates:

• Saturday, September 2, 10am – noon
• Sunday, September 17, 1pm – 3pm

Don't miss the sale itself on September 23 & 24 at Bezazian library.

Thanks for supporting programs and services at Bezazian!

Bezazian Branch Library, 1226 W. Ainslie St. (at Magnolia)

Marinas Bistro and Rum Bar Set to Open Monday, August 14th

Interior of Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar

Eric Roldan is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community and a passionate chef and owner of Marinas Bistro, in Uptown. Born in the Windy City, Eric's life took a turn when he lost everything during Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico and returned to his hometown in 2017. He started his business as a ghost kitchen, offering innovative Latin fusion cuisine that marries Puerto Rican flavors with contemporary flair.

On Monday, August 14th, Eric is set to open the doors of Marinas Bistro and Rum Bar, a restaurant named to honor his mother’s memory and to showcase the unifying force that food has on bringing family and friends together.

With each dish he crafts, Eric infuses a blend of old-world charm and contemporary sophistication, eager to captivate every patron's palate. The menu includes Mofongos, a Puerto Rican favorite dish made with deep fried plantains, yucca, or sweet plantains mashed together with house seasonings and garlic.

The quaint and cozy restaurant will have a lunch and main menu, that feature sandwiches, jibaritos, sides and desserts, along with a rum-focused cocktail menu.

Marinas Bistro & Rum Bar

4554 N Magnolia Ave, Chicago, IL 60640

Open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.

Things Are "Buzzing" At The Admiral at the Lake

Beekeeper Al Renslow with a package of 10,000 bees (AKCG)

Courtesy of Katie O'Brien, The Admiral at the Lake:

"At the Chicago senior living community, The Admiral at the Lake, (929 W. Foster) a retired schoolteacher turned beekeeper truly has things “buzzing.”

Not only that, but that teacher – Al Renslow – has assembled a corp of like-minded ‘bee-lievers’, The Admiral Bee Buddies.

Al, a retired schoolteacher and resident of The Admiral at the Lake, developed this hobby as a passion project, a way to learn new skills and contribute to the environment. As a bonus, Al now has an outlet that benefits his mental well-being.

Al is preparing for his fourth year of beekeeping on campus as his operation expands beyond his expectations!

Al launched The Admiral’s beekeeping program in 2019 based on his belief that we must be good stewards of the environment. With the support of The Admiral community, he began dedicating time to the start-up. Through his research, he self-taught himself how to bee keep and, in the process, discovered how unique the colony’s urban honey is. City bees create exquisite-tasting honey due to the diverse native plants, and this unique honey can only be found within The Admiral's campus.

The Admiral Bee Buddies have expanded over the years and now there are eight residents helping maintain the bees. The Bee Buddies help Al set up the hives at the beginning of the beekeeping season and in the late months of the summer, the group will harvest the honey in preparation for their annual honey sale. Last season, over 400 bottles of urban honey were harvested, bottled, labeled and distributed with the help of Admiral community members who reside in the memory care unit, who volunteered to package the Bee Buddies’ prized possession."

UU Note: If you'd like to see the beehives or chat with Al, please email Katie O'Brien at kobrien@admiral.kendal.org

Doggy Glam Boutique Grand Opening August 27!