News

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…

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…

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….

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 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…

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,…

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 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;…

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…

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 —…