Sloopin - A South Loop Blog

South Loop Round-Up: Vitalogy, 626 Wabash, Da Pope T-Shirt, Southbridge & Sailing

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 11:21:00 +0000

Vitalogy bar brings new life to Printer’s Row – Lisa Shames at Eater Chicago reports that owners Jennifer Wilson and James Shields transformed the ground floor of a 142‑year‑old building in Printer’s Row into Vitalogy, a welcoming neighborhood bar. Featuring a long wooden bar, reclaimed fixtures and even a hydroponic herb garden, the South Loop hangout offers global beers, Chicago‑inspired cocktails (don’t miss the “Second City Milk Punch” with Malört) and a small‑plates menu developed by a chef friend. Wilson and James Shields say they want Vitalogy to be a community hub for the South Loop, with happy hour deals, cocktail classes and live music. Source: Eater Chicago – Lisa Shames

Southbridge celebrates new retail anchors with ribbon cutting – Jamie Nesbitt Golden at Block Club Chicago reports that Mayor Brandon Johnson and community leaders gathered to open 23rd Place at Southbridge, a mixed‑use development bridging Chinatown, Bronzeville and the South Loop. Beloved brunch spot Batter & Berries and fitness studio 24Life Training & Fitness are the first retail tenants at the 15‑acre site, which will eventually include more than 850 homes and hundreds of public‑housing units. The city recently approved tax‑increment financing for the next phase of construction. Source: Block Club Chicago – Jamie Nesbitt Golden

626 South Wabash rises above the ‘L’ – Daniel Schell at Chicago YIMBY writes that construction crews at 626 South Wabash Avenue have poured concrete up to the underside of the second level. When finished, the 19‑story tower will bring 164 units (co‑living suites, efficiency units and two‑bedrooms) and ground‑floor retail to the South Loop. Co‑developers DAC Development and Melrose Ascension Capital hope to attract students, while a podium will provide parking and retail space. The project started this spring and aims to open in fall 2026. Source: Chicago YIMBY – Daniel Schell

South Loop family gifts “Da Pope” T‑shirt to Pope Leo XIV – In a feel‑good story by Chris Tye and Matthew Cramer for CBS Chicago, Marcel and Ann Munoz and their children wore navy blue “Da Pope” shirts to a mass outside Rome and presented a shirt to Pope Leo XIV. The Chicago family’s playful gift – a nod to Bears fandom – went viral after the Pope’s Instagram account shared a photo of him holding the shirt. The family hopes this Chicago blessing will bring good luck to the Bears and charmed South Loop residents. Source: CBS Chicago – Chris Tye & Matthew Cramer

The equalizing spirit of a sailboat – Chicago Magazine’s Edward McClelland profiles attorney Patrick LoDuca, who watched sailboat races from his South Loop condo until he joined the Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Program at Burnham Harbor. Thanks to specialized boats that allow sailors to control sails with minimal hand strength, LoDuca now navigates Lake Michigan on his own, experiencing the inclusive and liberating nature of sailing. Source: Chicago Magazine – Edward McClelland

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Speedy Saturday at NASCAR

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 21:15:00 +0000

(Hat tip: L, I, & CN)

Cafe Deko Bringing More Caffeine and Vibes to Printers Row (715 S. Dearborn)

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Thu, 06 Feb 2025 14:24:00 +0000

Looks like we have a new cafe coming to Printers Row:

The spot will be called Cafe Deko and seems to be a second incarnation of their original location at 800 W Diversey. Judging from our sleuthing on their website, yelp, and socials it seems like their vibe is a stylish coffee shop with small sandwiches, croissants, and snacks. So why the vibes - check out this video from the original location:

This definitely seems to be bringing something different to the neighborhood. Couple the vibes of Cafe Deko with the high ceilings and history of M.A. Donohue & Co. Building it seems like a match made in heaven.

It's unclear when they're looking to open, but since this is the space vacated by Grail Cafe a couple years back, it seems like it wouldn't require major structural changes.

If you're really curious on the concept and history, we found this 40 minute youtube video where a local realtor talks to the entrepreneur and owner - George:

Fun stuff - looking forward to having Cafe Deko in the Sloop!

Bad ROI: Cancelled Plans for Research Hub at The 78 Cost Illinois Taxpayers $30M

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Tue, 04 Feb 2025 14:42:00 +0000

Well this doesn't seem good (via WBEZ):

Seven years ago, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Gov. Bruce Rauner invited dignitaries to a 62-acre plot of land in the South Loop and offered a bold promise: The long-vacant property would be transformed, with a high-tech research facility that would give a massive economic boost to the city of Chicago.
The University of Illinois would operate the proposed $285 million facility, dubbed the Discovery Partners Institute. It would sit on an acre south of Roosevelt Road along the east bank of the Chicago River donated by the property owner, Nadhmi Shakir Auchi, an Iraqi British billionaire who has long been denied entry to the United States as a result of past criminal convictions.
But the university pulled the plug in October on the planned research hub at the sprawling site that has sat vacant for decades and is now being marketed as The 78. The U. of I. said it would turn its vision to the south and become part of a quantum computing research park that Gov. JB Pritzker wants to build on a vacant, 300-acre site at East 79th Street and South DuSable Lake Shore Drive, once occupied by U.S. Steel.
That decision means Illinois taxpayers are now out of more than $30 million, records obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times show.
And the losses for taxpayers still could grow, sources say, to $40 million.

This property has been this biggest quagmire for the neighborhood, government, and numerous ambitious business people. Our first post back from taking a bit of a hiatus pondered the question "The 78: Will 2025 Finally be the Year?" So far the answer has been an expensive, resounding no!

This giant empty piece of land that is so visible from so many vantage points across the Sloop is tantalizing to dream about the possibilities. But so far, it's just been an expensive, bureaucratic nightmare with big dreams but little return on investment.

Grazie, Forno Mauri!

noreply@blogger.com (Slooper) — Sat, 01 Feb 2025 15:20:00 +0000

Need an escape? Want to transport yourself to Italy? Or pretend to? I've got an idea. Pay a visit the new hot spot pizzeria in Printer's Row, Forno Mauri! I promise you that it's less expensive than a flight to Italy.

I know I know - we've got a lot of pizza in Chicago, and definitely in the Sloop. But, hear me out. Newly opened in December 2024, Forno Mauri does it right, almost just like you're in Italy.

We can thank Maurizio Michi for the thin crusted deliciousness. Michi is also the owner of Sofi Italian, which happens to be right next door. The ingredients used in both restaurants are imported straight from Italia, and give a sense of flavor that you don't find just anywhere. Of the three pizzas I tried at Forno Mauri, my favorite was the Emiliana. Check it out and show our local Sloopin' eateries some love!

Riverline Development Starts Construction at 1010 S. Wells

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:18:00 +0000

The Riverline development was announced way back in 2015 and almost 10 years later the project is finally underway at 1010 S. Wells (via Urbanize Chicago):

Renderings have been released for 1010 S. Wells, the first building to be constructed at Riverline in the South Loop. Developed by CMK Companies, the project will be located along the South Branch of the Chicago River at the intersection of S. Wells St and W. 10th St.
With Gensler behind the updated design, the 21-story tower will stand 227 feet tall. As part of the redesign, the building has shifted from 286 condos to 386 apartments. The building’s parking count has been reduced from 240 spaces to 182 parking spaces. The building will include 2,904 square feet of retail space on the ground floor.

The article goes onto say that there will be retail that will be accessible via Wells and most importantly this will also have a public river walk that hopefully one day will allow you to walk from Harrison all the way south to Ping Tom Park in Chinatown.

While CMK's buildings are usually modern and glassy - they're pretty straightforward. This one looks a little better in our opinion - maybe because it's on the river?!?

This isn't the only project CMK is working on at the moment - they have four (yes 4!) buildings under construction in the Sloop (according to Yimby Chicago - 1730 Wabash (red) – 1700 Wabash (green) – 1630 Wabash (yellow) – 1717 Michigan (orange):

Is Something New Cooking at Old Cuatro Restaurant Space (2010 S. Wabash)?

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:54:00 +0000

Wow! It's been awhile since we've heard about anything cooking at the old restaurant space where Cuatro (2030 S. Wabash) lived. This article in Block Club Chicago says something could be coming - but after reading this feels like it still has some hurdles to clear:

After 15 years of sitting empty, the building formerly occupied by a popular Latin fusion restaurant could become a new restaurant later this year.
Joji Tirumalareddy told Block Club he aims to open Rhumbar at 2030 S. Wabash Ave. in six months. Tirumalareddy has been trying to open the bar and restaurant in south suburban Frankfort since 2019, but pandemic-related delays and concerns from nearby residents has slowed progress.
Tirumalareddy has owned the South Loop property for several years. He began work on the restaurant in 2020 but the pandemic forced him to put everything on hold. Now he’s ready to get back to work, recently applying for a liquor license under Tulips Chicago LLC.
Tirumalareddy is in the process of renovating the kitchen and dining area so patrons will be able to get a glimpse of the “behind the scenes” action. He envisions a restaurant serving upscale American bar food, with exposed brick walls and big screen televisions.

For those who are curious, check out this post from 2010 about Cuatro's last stand.

We're curious to see if Rhumbar becomes real - would be nice!

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Head in the Sand

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Sun, 26 Jan 2025 12:36:00 +0000

Humans of The Sloop: Our Guinea Pig

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:00:00 +0000

Welcome to Humans of The Sloop!

Humans of Sloop is a spin on the ever-popular Humans of New York blog that features community members and their stories. Our goal is to share Sloopers’ stories, bring joy to people and connect our neighborhood in unique ways. The South Loop is an incredible neighborhood and we have many gems within it - businesses and humans alike. Check back often for new stories of our residents!

Do you or someone you know want to be featured in an upcoming story? Please email us at sloopin@gmail.com to communicate your interest.

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Are you guinea pig obsessed? Yeah, I wasn’t either. But, then I talked to one of our Sloopin’ friends, Jen, and I think I’m going to reconsider. Jen is our first ‘guinea pig’ (GP) for our Humans of the Sloop feature stories. Turns out, she cares for 4 GPs of her own - fitting.

It sounds a little strange at first. Guinea Pigs. Obsession. Really? These tiny little creatures? I guess they’re cute. But, FOUR? Four GPs? I need to know how this happened. Jen, who has called the Sloop home for 19 years, lights up as she starts the story.

I couldn’t help but notice some tiny marks on Jen’s shoulder that she quickly tells me are bite marks. Like a proud mama, she tells me that gps are sweet, smart, and very communicative. When they are done playing and ready to go back into their cage, they start to nip. Plus, they have tiny bladders and need to go to the bathroom every 15 mins or so. Wow. That’s distracting. Nelly - named after Nelly Furtado - is the original “Hello South Loop Front Lawn Special” that began as a Facebook post and became a neighborhood rescue mission, Jen laughs while telling me.

Wait a minute here, Jen - Nelly was a GP rescue? This story is getting even better! Yes, Nelly wouldn’t have made it without the neighbor who found her and posted on Hello South Loop! and the help of some Sloopers that intervened. Jen goes on to tell the wild story that ended with she and her family welcoming a new roommate home in May 2024. Wrapped in a small hand towel! Ok, I’m starting to see how obsession happens.

Jen had hamsters growing up, so she thought she’d just raise Nelly like a big hamster and feed her pellets. After intense research on gp forums (yes, they exist!), Jen learned that 80% of the diet for a gp should consist of hay. Oops. Ok, Nelly - we’re upgrading your meal plan! Not only does Nelly get hay, but she also eats fresh mini salads presented by Jen each morning. Now, this is the life! Remember how Jen said that GPs are communicative? Yeah - well, Nelly went from scared and timid to happy and energetic when her meals went from McDonald’s to gourmet!

She also ‘wheeks’ (cute squeaking noise) with her other GP roomies when salad breakfasts with lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, parsley and cilantro are presented each day. The gourmet salads are the highlight of the gps’ day AND Jen’s! The anticipation and squeals are just too much.

So, tell me more about these roomies….. GPs are herd animals and thrive with at least one other GP friend. It’s difficult to find a GP single, so Jen adopted a pair that were already bonded. Nelly, meet Coco and Mila! Hm, apparently that didn’t go so well. Nelly must not have wanted anything to interfere with her gourmet lifestyle and attacked. Now, Coco and Mila live in a separate cage in the “GP duplex” Jen has built.

After the roomie drama, Jen adopted Lucy to pair with Nelly. Once Lucy arrived and the two bonded, Jen started to hear GP-specific noises that Nelly had not used prior. I don’t speak ‘Guinea’, but I think this means Nelly’s happy with her new friend!

Now, if you’re as in love with these cuties as we are, you should know it all comes full circle in the Sloop! We’ve been sloopin’ around and noticed that “One Tail at a Time”, which is where Jen adopted Mila, Coco and Lucy, is moving into the neighborhood (inside Petsmart 1101 S. Canal)! We’ll be welcoming a lot more GPs and other animals.

As Jen and I close out, she nervously gushes about her big dream of owning her very own GP rescue. I’d say she’s well on her way. Thank you, Jen, for being featured as our first Humans of Sloop guinea pig!

Sloopin’ Love: Jen’s favorite South Loop hotspots are Tapas Valencia (1530 S. State) and Spoke ‘n’ Bird (205 E. 18th)! Say hello if you see Jen or any of our salad-eating friends around!

Former Chicago Bear Star Israel Idonije Set to Officially Open "The Staley" on January 27

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Fri, 24 Jan 2025 04:19:00 +0000

Looks like The Staley (1736 S. Michigan) is set to officially open on Monday (via Chicago Star):

Former Chicago Bear Israel Idonije and acclaimed chef Stephen Gillanders are teaming up again to bring Chicago “The Staley,” a high-energy neighborhood sports bar set to open Monday, January 27. Building on the success of their fine dining spot, Signature, which debuted last year, The Staley aims to deliver a more casual, approachable experience while retaining the same dedication to quality and innovation.

For those not familiar with the space this used to be Kroll's - which was one of our faves and had a rough go of it during the pandemic.

Although we miss Kroll's, it's nice to see something open up in the space, so we're curious to see how it does.

For those in the know and confused... thinking "didn't that already open?" - you're not crazy. They did have a "soft opening" during the Bears season last year.

The article in the Chicago Star also has some pictures of the food and the pizza looks pretty good (maybe i'm just hungry?!?). Looking forward to trying this one out.

#ShootsAroundTheSloop: Bears down; Buffalo Up

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Sun, 19 Jan 2025 15:30:00 +0000

The Winter, Indoor Version of South Loop Farmers Market Opens this Weekend at Roosevelt Collection

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Fri, 10 Jan 2025 14:19:00 +0000

Sloopin’ friends! Looking for something fun to do this weekend? Want to get inside and out of the cold Chi-town winter air? Local artisans? Kid and pet activities? Live DJs? Food? 🤩

We’ve got exciting news! While doing our usual sloopin’ around, we learned that the indoor South Loop Farmers Market opens up this weekend at Roosevelt Collection. The market is on Saturdays from noon-4 PM and runs through March 30th. Explore the vendors this winter.

Since it’s such a popular happening, the South Loop Farmers Market has also been invited to set up shop at the iconic Water Tower Place. Sundays noon-4PM. Water Tower Vendors. Validated 2-hour parking at both locations.

Check one or both out over the next few months!

Video: What Makes the South Loop A Neighborhood

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:53:00 +0000

Stumbled upon this youtube video, figured some of you might enjoy it (via YouTube):

Dick's Sporting Good - at The Maxwell on Canal Street - Closing on December 4th

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Thu, 02 Jan 2025 02:54:00 +0000

Well this ain't a great way to start the new year (via Chicago Star Media and Chicago Block Club):

Dick’s Sporting Goods will close its South Loop location on Jan. 4, adding to a string of recent retail departures in the area. The closure was announced via a sign near the store’s entrance, at 1100 S. Canal St., according to the Block Club Chicago.

Dick's sign outside of The Maxwell on Canal street
(via Block Club Chicago)
The retailer is part of The Maxwell, a shopping center that also lost T.J. Maxx nearly a year ago. Remaining tenants at The Maxwell include Nordstrom Rack and Burlington.

The South Loop has seen several high-profile exits recently. Rising rents forced The Container Store to announce its departure from Roosevelt Collection Shops, while Show Place Icon theater and local boutique Kido Chicago also have closed.

While some might poo poo on big national retailers, the reality is that it's just not a good sign for the neighborhood if they can't be supported. The Dick's store was massive and nice.

The 78: Will 2025 Finally Be the Year?

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Tue, 31 Dec 2024 21:24:00 +0000

Rendering of Proposed White Sox Stadium at The 78 (via Urbanize)

If you’re reading this, you probably know we’ve been away for a while. But you know what? It hasn’t been as long as The 78 – the infamous, long-standing vacant 62-acre site in the South Loop – has remained undeveloped.

If you’re like us, you’ve spent the past couple of decades fantasizing about what could be. An amazing riverwalk? An Olympic village? Amazon’s HQ2? A new White Sox stadium? A casino? So far, we’ve gotten bubkes.

Recently, though, we came across an article in Urbanize Chicago that provided an update on The 78 (and other mega-developments):

Planned by Related Midwest, The 78 is a 62-acre mega-development in the South Loop, located along the Chicago River just south of W. Roosevelt Rd. The original plans, designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, called for over 13 million square feet of mixed-use development.

Years later, the only completed structure is the Wells-Wentworth Connector, which isn’t even open to the public yet. In 2022, Mayor Lori Lightfoot chose Bally’s casino plan over Related’s proposal for a casino and entertainment district at the north end of the site.

In early 2024, Related Midwest announced a plan with the Chicago White Sox for a new ballpark that would anchor the proposed high-rise district. The design included home plate at the southwest corner and a stadium that wrapped around the field, offering stunning downtown views, including the Sears Tower.

But later that year, just as construction was set to begin, the Discovery Partners Institute (DPI) announced it was scrapping plans for its headquarters at the south end of The 78. Instead, DPI is pivoting to the quantum campus at Related Midwest’s redevelopment of the former US Steel site at 8080 S. DuSable Lake Shore Drive. With the DPI headquarters canceled and public funding for the White Sox stadium facing opposition, The 78’s progress is largely stalled.

More recently, at the end of the year, it was announced that Chicago Fire owner Joe Mansueto is exploring The 78 as a potential site for a dedicated soccer stadium. According to Crain’s Chicago Business, Mansueto and Related Midwest have presented their proposal to Mayor Johnson and city officials. While no renderings or detailed plans have been released, Mansueto has committed to financing the stadium entirely with private funds.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned about this plot of land, it’s not to hold our breath. Could 2025 finally be the year something happens? A billionaire willing to fully finance a soccer stadium seems promising—but we’ve been here before.

Will 2025 be the year The 78 finally becomes something?

Chabad South Loop Hosts Evening Dialogue with Holocaust Survivor this Thursday (5/18)

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 15 May 2023 13:19:00 +0000

Surviving Auschwitz: An Evening of Dialogue with Mr. Israel Starck

Thursday, May 18th

Doors Open 6:45pm | 7:00pm Program Begins

Central South Loop Location

RSVP here.

Use promo code REMEMBER for earlybird pricing.

Lollapalooza Company (C3) Donates $500K for Pickleball Courts in Grant Park

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 08 May 2023 13:39:00 +0000

We noticed a post on Hello South Loop's facebook page about the volley ball courts in Grant Park (south of Balbo and west of Columbus) being torn up.

A reader posted an old article about what is happening (via Chicago Sun-Times):

Chicago’s pickleball scene is getting another shot in the arm — this time in Grant Park.
The folks behind Lollapalooza are donating $500,000 to the Chicago Park District that will be used to build new pickleball courts and refurbish existing tennis courts in the south end of Grant Park.
The pickleball courts will be designed for only pickleball use.
One of the major knocks from the city’s growing pickleball scene is that the city is lightyears behind other major cities in building dedicated courts. Most pickleball in Chicago is played on tennis courts, which can create tension between picklers and tennis players.
The news was shared Tuesday in a letter that was emailed to Grant Park-area residents from Charlie Walker, an executive with C3 Presents, the company behind Lollapalooza.
A Park District spokeswoman said six existing tennis courts will be rehabbed and a minimum of eight new dedicated pickleball courts will be built.

I play tennis, but have never played pickleball. That said, maybe we'll have to check it out. This is probably a win win for most people - maybe outside of volleyball players. C3 gets a hard surface to better accommodate their festival (for those in the know - this is usually behind "Perry's Stage" and the city/residents gets an area for recreation game that's getting more and more popular.

City and NASCAR Announce Dates of Street Closures Prior to 4th of July Races

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Thu, 13 Apr 2023 13:38:00 +0000

The NASCAR Chicago Street Race is undoubtedly going to be a big, unique event for the city - but as expected it likely will be a headache for those of us who live or spend a lot of time in the Sloop.

How much of a headache? Well the city just released a list of street closures in and around Grant Park and it's going to be much longer than we expected (via Yahoo):

NASCAR's Chicago Street race is slated to take over the city for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, but the impacts for drivers will be felt long before and after the race is done.
Officials on Monday detailed a traffic plan, featuring more than a month of rolling closures around the city in the lead-up and tear-down for the first-time event.
Closures will include major roadways like DuSable Lake Shore Drive, Columbus Drive, Jackson Drive, Balbo Drive and Michigan Avenue and are expected to kick off on June 2 and continue through July 15, adding to a long list of traffic disruptions for drivers in the city already battling major construction projects on the Kennedy Expressway and elsewhere.
The biggest interruptions are slated to begin on June 25. (Full list of closures at link)
On top of the closures, officials said they expect roughly 50,000 people to attend each day of the two-day event.

Yikes - a month and a half of street closures will likely be pretty disruptive. Yes, maybe some of the closures early on are small swaths of streets, but still will be confusing and painful.

(Hat tip: Mitch!)

20 Years Later After the Close of Meigs Air Field (Now Northerly Island)

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Wed, 05 Apr 2023 11:01:00 +0000

Northerly Island is a quiet retreat for us in the Sloop, but many newer residents might not realize it's history. WBEZ has a good read on how the current concert venue and park became what it is today thanks to a brash move by a mayor:

When the sun came up over Chicago on March 31, 2003, it shone down on six large Xs that were bulldozed overnight into the runway of a small downtown airport.
Under the cover of darkness, then-Mayor Richard M. Daley made it clear who ran the city when he ordered the destruction of Meigs Field on Northerly Island without alerting the City Council, the statehouse or the Federal Aviation Administration. The former airport is now a park, which the mayor had wanted for years.
Daley defended the move the next day by citing safety concerns and told reporters it was a risk to have planes that close to skyscrapers in a post-9/11 world.
The destruction of Meigs was a brash stunt that epitomizes Chicago politics. Simpson equates bulldozing Meigs with similarly “autocratic” schemes greenlit by Daley’s father, Mayor Richard J. Daley, such as ordering police to maintain law and order among protesters at the 1968 Democratic National Convention, resulting in violent clashes.
Twenty years after the overnight destruction at the airport, Simpson and others said the maneuver is fading from collective memory, but it can serve as a reminder of the need to have checks and balances on mayoral power.

Life at Nema (1210 S. Indiana)

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 03 Apr 2023 11:45:00 +0000

We don't live inside the Nema rental building (1210 S. Indiana), but have gawked at it from the outside and recently spent some time in the shinny new Dollop Coffee shop. We recently stumbled upon a video on Tik Tok and recognized some of the views and deducted that it was a young 20 something, entrepreneur shooting as if he lived on top of the world in the building. Anyway - if you ever wondered what it was like to live in Nema, maybe his videos can give you an idea:

(Hat tip: @theibrahimansari)

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Wood Pecked

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Sun, 02 Apr 2023 16:37:00 +0000

#ShotsAroundTheSloop: Hendge

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Sun, 26 Mar 2023 13:51:00 +0000

(Hat tip: RD!)

We Love Dearborn Station - So Here is a brief part of it's Origin and History

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Fri, 24 Mar 2023 11:40:00 +0000

Chicago's Dearborn Station is a historic transportation hub that has played a significant role in the city's history and development. Built in 1885, it was the first railway station in Chicago to serve multiple rail lines. Over the years, the station has been home to numerous railroad companies and played a crucial role in the growth of the South Loop neighborhood.

The Beginnings of Dearborn Station

The idea for Dearborn Station came from the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad, which was looking for a way to consolidate its passenger operations in the city. At the time, the railroad had several different terminals scattered throughout Chicago, which made it difficult to manage and inefficient for passengers. The company decided to build a new, centralized station that would allow it to streamline its operations and provide a better experience for passengers.

In 1881, the Chicago and Western Indiana Railroad purchased a site on Dearborn Street between Polk and Taylor. The site was chosen because it was located near the heart of the city and was easily accessible by both rail and streetcar. The station was designed by Cyrus L.W. Eidlitz, a prominent New York architect who was known for his work on train stations and other public buildings.

Construction on the station began in 1883 and was completed two years later. The building was an impressive structure that featured a central clock tower, a large waiting room, and multiple platforms for trains. The station was also unique because it served several different rail lines, including the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, the Michigan Central Railroad, and the Wabash Railroad.

Impact on the South Loop Neighborhood

The construction of Dearborn Station had a significant impact on the South Loop neighborhood. Prior to the station's construction, the area was largely residential, with a few factories and warehouses scattered throughout. However, the station brought new businesses and commerce to the area, including hotels, restaurants, and retail stores. The station also served as a gateway to the city for many travelers, which helped to boost the local economy.

The station also played a crucial role in the development of Chicago's transportation network. The station's central location and access to multiple rail lines made it a key transportation hub for the city. It allowed passengers to easily transfer between different rail lines and made it easier for goods to be transported throughout the city and beyond.

Throughout the years, Dearborn Station continued to evolve and change. In the early 1900s, the station was expanded and renovated to accommodate more passengers and trains. However, as air travel became more popular in the mid-20th century, the station's importance began to decline. In 1971, the station was closed and its operations were consolidated with other rail yards in the city.

Today, Dearborn Station still stands as a reminder of Chicago's rich history and its importance in the development of the city's transportation network. While the station is no longer used for its original purpose, it has been repurposed for other uses, including retail stores, restaurants, and offices.

For example, UChicago Medicine has an urgent care facility located at Dearborn Station for convenient same-day care for the entire family. The American Montessori Academy South Loop also has a location at Dearborn Station offering year-round programs for children aged 8 weeks to 9 years old. The popular Jazz Showcase is also located in Dearborn station and so is Bar Louie.

It is one of our favorite buildings in the neighborhood and a unique monument to the history of the neighborhood. One of our favorite prints is this one:

You can find that at the following etsy site if you want to buy one for your place.

Dearborn Station is an important part of Chicago's history and has had a significant impact on the development of the South Loop neighborhood. The station's central location and access to multiple rail lines helped to make it a key transportation hub for the city, and its construction brought new businesses and commerce to the area. While the station's operations have since ceased, it remains an important part of Chicago's architectural and cultural heritage.

Sources for additional reading:

Kdot (Kendrick Lamar) is Coming to Lolla!

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Wed, 22 Mar 2023 13:18:00 +0000

Lollapalooza season is officially on us....sorta.

Well at least we know who is going to be gracing Chicago and the Sloop with their presence during the weekend of August 3rd-6th:

While we get older the music doesn't age (maybe with the exception of Red Hot Chili Peppers). A lot of these acts are new to us, but surprisingly I'm familiar with more than some of the recent lineups. Like most, we'll be digging in over the spring/summer to scope out who we're liking.

Please share acts that you're excited about so we can give them a listen.

While it may be a bit obvious to be excited about the the top of the list performer, Kendrick Lamar is a unique voice in hip hop and continues to push the envelope. This is one of the best still doing his thing and arguably in his prime - so should be a recipe for a great festival show.

We asked for some help from our favorite AI friend to give us the latest on Kendrick Lamar's latest album for those who may not know:

Kendrick Lamar's newest album Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers has been received positively by critics. According to NME, it is a "cathartic, soul-baring autobiography". The album sees Lamar overcome "writer's block" to triumph with a collection on which his observational skills go into overdrive.

The album has been praised for its differences from previous albums. According to Pitchfork, "Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers" is a thorny double album featuring everyone from Kodak Black to Portishead’s Beth Gibbons. It also explores vulnerability, the challenges of newfound fatherhood and his marriage.

We've heard the album compared to a therapy session and judging by this video from the album we can see why:

Poignant video and song...and Helen Mirren! Lolla 2023 - yay!

The Next Phase of Sloopin

noreply@blogger.com (Sloopy) — Mon, 20 Mar 2023 12:18:00 +0000

Hi fellow Sloopers!

Long time no talk - we've taken a bit of a hiatus to think through some aspects of this site and what the future could be. Apologies for the abruptness of this stop.

I don't have much to reveal today, but the plan is to restart posting a bit more often. There is a lot of great content about our neighborhood and city being put out into the world and we hope we can be a portal into the vastness of the interwebs helping you all sift through the noise.

An ask to you or anyone who you might know. There is an underlying idea we have for local media, news and information. We haven't nailed it down yet, but if you like to write, take pictures, record videos, do tech wizardry, help with startup ideas or have cash you're looking to invest, please reach out to sloopin@gmail.com. If you're a South Loop business looking to continue to foster a relationship with the neighborhood also reach out.

For this idea to blossom, the reality is I'm going to need some help from our community - the great people of the South Loop who I call neighbors.