News

Timeless Toys on NBC

Instagram--NBC / April 29, 2025 We’re thrilled to be featured on Tech Trends with NBC, spotlighting some of our favorite STEM-inspired toys that spark creativity, innovation, and hands-on fun—all available at Timeless Toys! View More Here.

Chicago farmers market 2025 schedule, hours, locations

CBS News Chicago / by Sarah Tenenbaum / April 25, 2025   Chicago farmers markets are starting to open, with the vast majority set to start in May, bringing farm-fresh produce to communities across the city. Most Chicago farmer's markets accept Illinois SNAP benefits through the Link card. Markets that accept Link payments are noted below. Here is where and when to find a farmer's market near you. Read More Here.

Style Files: Hot Colors For Spring Fashions

WGN9 / by Kristina Miller / April 28, 2025 Genny Konz, Owner Genevieve Boutique 4745 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago https://genevieveboutique.com Spring Color Trends: -Pastels -Saturated Tones -Red -Earthy NeutralsView More Here.

Heart Of Lincoln Square Goes Car-Free For One Week

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / April 21, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The week-long closure to car traffic in the heart of Lincoln Square may provide insight into how the plaza could function as a pedestrian-only zone one day. The one-way street along the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue — between Lawrence and Leland avenues — is closed to vehicle traffic starting Monday. The closure is expected to last about a week, depending on weather, officials have said. The car-free zone is a product of

This Lincoln Square block is going car-free this whole week

Time Out Chicago / by Christina Izzo / April 21, 2025 If you drive through Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood regularly, note that your daily commute will be a little different this week. The one-way street along the 4700 block of North Lincoln Avenue—the stretch between Lawrence and Leland Avenues—will be closed to vehicle traffic for a whole week, beginning today, April 21. Read More Here.  

‘Welcome to the Show’ wants to feel like hanging out with friends in their Lincoln Square basement

The Chicago Tribune / by Ryan P. C. Trimble / April 18, 2025 Derek Bish is hard to miss. Tall and jovial (he gave his height as “a trim 6-foot-8,” and that’s not far from the truth), his affable smile and good-natured laugh make him easy to spot in any room. The simplest way to find him, however, is to head over to The Getaway in Lincoln Square. Read More Here.  

Doc10 Film Festival Celebrates A Decade Of Documentaries With 10 Premieres

Block Club Chicago / by Clint Worthington / April 22, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The Doc10 Film Festival returns for its 10th anniversary this week, featuring 10 hard-hitting documentaries, a shorts program, and panels and events celebrating the festival’s milestone. The festival runs April 30-May 4 at its longtime home, the Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave., preceded by a documentary shorts program Sunday at the Gene Siskel Film Center, 164 N. State St. Doc10 officially begins April 30 with a screening of

Michelin-Starred Atelier Plans on Moving to a Larger Space

Eater Chicago / by Sam Nelson / April 16, 2025 Michelin-starred restaurant Atelier is turning to crowdfunding in pursuit of a bigger location with more foot traffic. It will leave behind the 22-seat space that began drawing fine diners to Lincoln Square’s industrial corridor since Lane Regan opened Elizabeth there in 2012. “I could fix up the facade and draw more attention, but people are driving by pissed off that they’re stuck in traffic so they’re not paying attention to what’s around,” owner Tim Lacey

Fun classes and workshops in Chicago

Choose Chicago / by Kelsey O'Connor / April 16, 2025 Chicago is a city filled with talented locals, honing their craft in everything from the art of stained glass to cake decorating to flying trapeze and beyond. And luckily, many of these gifted residents are sharing their trade with the world through engaging classes and workshops across the city.Chicago workshops Arts and crafts workshops Cooking classes Self-care workshops Dance and movement classesRead More Here.  

Still need an Easter basket made? Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square can help

CBS News Chicago / April 13, 2025 Stella Kukadia, store manager of Timeless Toys on Lincoln Avenue, says there is still time to make those baskets. Here are some of the things you can add. View More Here.  

Lincoln Square Food Pantry Adds New Executive Director At A Critical Time For Nonprofits

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / April 11, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — A new executive director has taken the reins of a Lincoln Square food pantry as the nonprofit continues to see an increase in demand from the community. The Friendship Center, 2711 W. Lawrence Ave., was founded in 1969 and serves more than 70,000 people in Albany Park, Lincoln Square, North Park, Ravenswood and West Ridge. Requests for food assistance spiked during the pandemic and remain high due to various factors, including

7 New Restaurants Opening In Lincoln Square, North Center And Irving Park

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / April 8, 2025 Lincoln Square has three new restaurants that have opened within walking distance of LINCOLN SQUARE — A new pizza and coffee spot is now open in the heart of Lincoln Square across the street from a new breakfast joint from a popular, family-run chain. Read More Here.  

Michelin-starred restaurant crowdfunding move to a bigger space

Crain's Chicago Business / by Jack Grieve / April 8, 2025 One of Chicago's 19 Michelin-starred restaurants is upsizing, but instead of turning to a bank or deep-pocketed investor to finance the project, its owner is asking the public to help pay the tab. The plan for Atelier, the tasting-menu sequel restaurant to Elizabeth, is to stay in Lincoln Square but move to a bigger space with a more prominent storefront. The current location seats just 22 guests, and owner Tim Lacey wants that number to be closer

Chicago businesses uncertain as tariffs, trade war loom on the horizon

WGN 9 Chicago / by Dana Rebik and Ethan Illers / April 8, 2025 CHICAGO – Local business owners that sell imported goods are bracing for the impact of President Trump’s tariffs, adjusting their orders as they try to anticipate how the higher costs will impact supply and demand. For the last 50 years, Alcala’s Western Wear has been in business in West Town, importing most of their goods from Mexico and Canada. Those products are now subject to 25% tariffs. View More Here.    

These are some of the best authentic Mexican food restaurants in Chicago

Crain's Chicago Business / The Dining Table with David Manilow / April 7, 2025 Manilow was at a party recently when another guest lamented that she could not find any authentic Mexican restaurants in Chicago. "I'm thinking to myself, 'OK, there's 1,000 of them,'" Manilow said on this week's episode of the podcast. "But she lived in Lincoln Park, and so she was really talking about Lincoln Park, West Loop, River North, etc." He got to thinking of some of his favorite genuine Mexican food restaurants across

45 Easter Egg Hunts, Bunny Photos, Markets And More Across Chicago

Block Club Chicago / by Leen Yassine / April 4, 2025 CHICAGO — Chicago Easter festivities are kicking off this weekend with bunny hops and egg hunts at parks citywide and local spring markets. You can also meet the Easter Bunny, enjoy breakfast buffets and sweet treats, play lawn games and decorate Psyanky Ukrainian Easter eggs at events leading up to Easter on April 20. Read More Here.  

Sweet spot

Chicago Reader / by Isa Giallorenzo / February 28, 2025 Retail therapy is real, especially if you step inside MOLASSES. It’s a charming boutique tucked in a cozy, sunlit space below street level. MOLASSES is the shop equivalent of a stroll along a breezy beach. The air inside the store is actually infused with fresh scents, thanks to P.F. Candle Co. soy candles carefully selected by owner Shea Morrill. “Growing up on the Maine coast, surrounded by rocky beaches and pine forests, so much of my inspiration

Feasting al fresco: Guide to enjoying Chicago's patio dining scene

Chicago Star / by Annalisa Wilson / April 7, 2025 Spring is here! Although the weather may disagree, the calendar says it’s here. If there is one thing Chicagoans are not afraid of, it is a little chill. Just look at how Chicago handled COVID outdoor dining. So put on an extra layer and head outside to enjoy some cool outdoor patios. Read More Here.  

Restaurant news: Kanin, a Filipino Hawaiian bodega in Ravenswood, opens with lines two blocks long

Chicago Tribune / by Louisa Kung Liu Chu / April 2, 2025 A Filipino Hawaiian bodega opened recently to a surprise line two blocks long in Chicago. Kanin celebrated its grand opening in the Ravenswood neighborhood on March 8. “It’s kind of your corner convenience store,” said chef and co-owner Julius Tacadena. “You can buy snacks, and you can buy drinks.” Kanin means rice in Tagalog, one of the major languages spoken in the Philippines. Read More Here.  

Lincoln Square Farmers Market Returns

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / April 2, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — Lincoln Square’s popular farmers market returns next month with a variety of vendors selling fresh produce, artisanal goods and more. The Lincoln Square farmers market season kicks off 3 p.m. May 1 at the 4513 N. Lincoln Ave. parking lot. It’ll return 7 a.m.-noon Tuesdays through Nov. 18 and 3-7 p.m. Thursdays through October. This year’s vendors include Los Rodriguez Farm, John Bailey Honey, Global Gardens Chicago and Au Levain

Gluten-Free, Vegan Sweet & Savory Treats

WGN 9 Chicago / by Ji Suk Li and Andrea Darlas / March 28, 2025 A pastry chef on a quest to make sweets everyone can enjoy. Mindful Baking Cafe is a gluten-free, vegan bakery constantly evolving to keep up to date with new and tasty pastries. Diane Mejia joins us with more. mindfulbakingcafe.comView More Here.  

Indulge Upon the Fabulous Filipino Pastries at This New Lincoln Square Bakery

Eater Chicago / by Lisa Shames / March 27, 2025 While most don’t spend high school meticulously planning the future, that’s exactly what Justin Lerias did and he has the handwritten journal entries to show for it. Almost a year to the day after signing the lease and eight years since putting pen to paper, Lerias has finally opened Del Sur. The 1,200-square-foot space in Lincoln Square is located next to the CTA’s Brown Line Damen stop. Lerias’s creative Filipino American baked goods — calamansi chamomile

16 new Chicago speed cameras start operating next week near parks and schools

CBS News Chicago / by Sara Tenenbaum / March 27, 2025 Sixteen new speed cameras around Chicago will go into operation next week, all in children's safety zones, the city said. This set of new cameras are all located near schools and parks. The city will issue warning notices for the first 30 days after each is activated, then after a 14-day blackout period they will begin issuing citations to anyone going more than 6mph over the speed limit. View More Here.  

North Side Police Oversight Group Raises Alarm As Funding For Mental Health Response Team Dries Up

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / March 27, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The city’s new mental health initiative is facing a fiscal cliff at the end of the year as federal COVID funds run out. But a group of police district council members say city public safety money should be reallocated to save the program. The city’s police district councils are new elected civilian oversight boards created after years of community organizing. The inaugural council members assumed office in 2023 and are elected to

Lincoln Square Neighbors Can Take Walking History Lesson With Shermann ‘Dilla’ Thomas

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / March 31, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — Neighbors will be able to learn more about Winnemac Park’s history during an April walking tour with historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas. The Walking Hour, a walking series organized by Pamiya Opoku, is partnering with Thomas for an event that will start 2:30 p.m. April 13 at Winnemac Park and continue to western Andersonville. Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) will also attend the 2.5-mile walk. Read More Here.  

Tori Grace Outfitters: New Transit Line Designs

WGN Morning News / by Sarah Jindra and Ji Suk Yi / March 21, 2025 One local brand is highlighting Chicago lifestyle with hand-stitched designs. “Tori Grace Outfitters” creates classic Chicago-inspired apparel, accessories, home decor, and now Chicago transit line designs! Heather Polcaster joins us with more. View More Here.  

New bakery coming to Lincoln Square infuses traditional Filipino flavors with Midwest flair

WGN Morning News / Gabriel Castillo / March 22, 2025 CHICAGO — Chef Justin Lerias infuses traditional Filipino flavors with a bit of Midwest flair to make delicious pastries and in just one week, his first bakery, “Del Sur,” will open its doors in Lincoln Square. View More Here.  

Chicago Waffles To Open 5th Location in Lincoln Square

WGN News / Daytime Chicago / March 22, 2025 Chicago Waffles, a legendary spot in the city for specialty waffles is opening its 5th location in Lincoln Square offering an upscale take on breakfast, lunch and brunch. Executive chef affectionately known as the "Prince of Waffles," Lawrence Kreymer joined us with more. View More Here.  

Lincoln Square Public Parking Lot Will Close For Construction Next Week

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / March 25, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The parking lot at the northeast corner of West Leland and North Lincoln avenues will be closed to the public starting April 1. The lot, which typically hosts the neighborhood’s farmers market, will remain closed through July as part of construction, according to Ald. Matt Martin’s (47th) office.  The Chicago Department of Transportation will maintain pedestrian access along the east side of Lincoln and the north side of Leland

Ravenswood Brewery Bike Tour

Bikabout Wander by Bike / by Megan Remey / March 20, 2025 This super-chill ride will take you through several locally-owned breweries (and one distillery) through the Ravenswood area of Chicago! Read More Here.  

Beloved by chefs, Chicago’s rare tea mastermind Rod Markus makes his retail move

WBEZ Chicago / by Maggie Hennessey / March 19, 2025 Master tea-blender Rod Markus will pour hot water over just about anything edible. I learned this within moments of sitting down at Rare Tea Cellar, his Ravenswood laboratory stocked with unusual and hard-to-find ingredients. Markus steeped a Mallorca Melon tea blend of Spanish melon, pineapple, hibiscus and Seville orange with a few paper-thin slices of nutty cured jamón ibérico de Bellota, or acorn-fed ham from free-roaming Spanish pigs. The ham lent a

Shop at Piccadilly Market

CBS News / Jumpstart with Jackie / March 19, 2025 Head to Lincoln Square with Jackie Kostek and get some groceries at Piccadilly Market. View More Here.  

Ravenswood Gets a Bakery and Cafe Offering Filipino Flavors Folded into Classic Pastries

WTTW - Play List / Daniel Hautzinger / March 17, 2025 What did you get for your 23rd birthday? For Justin Lerias, it’s the realization of a dream conceived during high school of opening a Filipino pastry spot, Del Sur Bakery & Cafe. But calling the March 29 opening of the shop a gift overlooks the year of work, planning, and crowdfunding that has gone into it since Lerias first took out a lease on the space at 4639 N. Damen Ave. in Ravenswood almost exactly a year ago. And it also belies the creativity

District, Ravenswood’s Popular Furniture Store, Is Moving To Andersonville

Block Club Chicago / by Madison Savedra / March 18, 2025 ANDERSONVILLE — A popular Ravenswood furniture boutique is moving to Andersonville this spring. After 10 years, District is moving from 4835 N. Damen Ave. in Ravenswood to 5430 N. Clark St. in Andersonville, store owner Chris Murphy said. The Clark storefront is the former home of Getir, a Turkish grocery delivery business. Murphy said he didn’t plan to move the store but decided the new location was the right fit after discovering the empty space

A Filipino-Hawaiian Bodega is Chicago’s Hottest Restaurant

MSN Eater / by Ashok Selvam / March 15, 2025 With his supply of musubi dwindling only a few hours after first opening their doors, Julius Tacadena and his crew at Kanin decided to burn through their supply reserved for the next day, so they could serve the hundreds of customers waiting in line more than an hour along Damen Avenue. “We opened at 11 on that day, at 10:30 we walked out to take a picture and there was a line,” says Kanin partner Noah Rabaya. “We were like — are you guys here for us? And

Chicago North Side movie theater offering yearly memberships for filmgoers

CBS News Chicago / by Dana Kozlov / March 14, 2025 Movie theaters are popular places to go on a weekend, but at smaller theaters in Chicago, many seats remain open. One historic theater, however, is using a creative way to bring people back to the cinema. The popcorn is popping, the customers are finding their seats, and the movie is about to start. That describes a busy Saturday at the Davis Movie Theater at 4614 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lincoln Square, but it was still not as busy as before the COVID-19

Trump administration tariffs create uncertainty for brewery owner

NewsNation / by Jordan Perkins / March 13, 2025 (NewsNation) — The Trump administration’s threats of a global trade war have left small businesses facing uncertainty. On Thursday, President Donald Trump threatened a 200% tariff on European wine, champagne and spirits. The proposed tariff is a response to the European Union’s planned 50% tariff on American whiskey. It is expected to go into effect April 1. There is currently a 25% tariff on most goods coming from Mexico and Canada that officially went

Where to Get Pie for Pi Day in 2025

WTTW / by Daniel Hautzinger / March 11, 2025 It may be a silly day, but we’re not upset about an excuse to eat pie, and 3/14 (the first three digits of the mathematical constant pi) is as good as any. We've rounded up places in the Chicago area that offer pies. We focused on sweet pies, not hand pies or tarts. We also didn't include restaurants that aren't focused on pie, even if they might have a slice or two on their dessert menu. We will update the list if we learn of any new specials. Email us at

Burning Calories, Changing Lives: Orange Shoe Lakeview Joins Forces with GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago

Patch / by Allie Nowak / March 7, 2025 CHICAGO, Ill.— Orange Shoe Personal Fitness (Orange Shoe), known for its highly personalized training and wellness programs, is taking its commitment to community engagement to the next level. The Lakeview studio has partnered with GiGi’s Playhouse Chicago for its “Calories for a Cause” fundraising campaign, furthering its mission of fostering inclusivity and support through fitness. From March 16 to March 22, Orange Shoe Lakeview will have a GoFundMe page to raise

Made in Chicago: Ravenswood store focuses on 'joy and fun and color'

WBBM News Radio / by Andy Dahn / March 10, 2025 “It's just a way for people to come and have a good time, and you can buy things there, but it's also a joy to be in the space too,” Adrianne Hawthorne Thomas is the creative mind behind Ravenswood's Ponnopozz. “It's a made up word. It's actually based on two imaginary friends I had as a kid that I don't remember.” Read More Here.  

The Eco Cafe Brings Zero-Waste Coffee Shop To Lincoln Square

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / March 7, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The owners of Lincoln Square’s zero-waste general store opened their new cafe this week. Bethany Barbouti, Mia McCullough and Alexis Chavez opened The Eco Flamingo in 2020 and have since evolved their zero-waste general store to include workshops and events. Earlier this year, the trio announced their plan to open The Eco Cafe, 4756 N. Rockwell St. The Eco Cafe opened to customers Wednesday. By the following afternoon, nearly

Preparing For Wedding Season

WGN9 Spotlight Chicago / by Sarah Jindra and Ji Suk Yi / March 10, 2025 With wedding season comes tons of new trends and influences that don’t always align with a couples vision. That’s why “A Pretty Flower” shop wants to help brides and grooms remain authentic to their personal style with unique arrangements. Juli joins us with more. 2334 W Lawrence Ave View More Here.  

International Women’s Day Market kicks off in Ravenswood

by CBS-2 Chicago / March 8, 2025The fourth annual market runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday at 4325 N. Ravenswood Ave. The event is free to enter. CBS talks to Kaitlin Fletcher, owner of Midwest Nice, live from the event. Watch HERE

International Women's Day Market Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber

by Matt Rodrigues and Giuliana Rancic / NBC Chicago Today / March 7, 2025 LSRCC Director of Special Events, Nicole Benjamin, highlights a variety of woman-owned businesses to expect at this weekend's International Women's Day Market, such as Backup Plan Candles, Nomadic Ant, Andria Green, and more. Watch HERE.

Show your support at the International Women's Day Market this weekend

by Fox-Chicago / March 7, 2025International Women's Day is tomorrow. Our friends in the Lincoln square/Ravenswood neighborhood are hosting a special market to honor the occasion. Watch HERE

International Women’s Day Market

WGN 9 / by Sarah Jindra and Ji Suk Yi / March 5, 2025 From jewelry and home goods to food and drinks “The International Women’s Day Market” connects you with hardworking women-owned businesses across the city. Nicole and Carly join us with more. View More Here. March 8th & 9th 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.  

Best zero-waste general store

Chicago Reader / by Kerry Reid / March 6, 2025     Most of us have become accustomed to carrying our own reusable bags to the grocery store. But for going the next step in zero-waste shopping, it’s hard to beat Lincoln Square’s Eco Flamingo, which opened in 2020. Here you can find a carefully curated selection of, as their website says, “package-free, plastic-free, environmentally responsible, cruelty-free, and fair-trade options.” Cofounder Bethany Barbouti says, “We now carry over 400 refillable products

Taking it to the streets and the rooftops

ReJournals / by Michael Millar / February 28, 2025 In Chicago’s neighborhoods, residents and retailers are interdependent. Without local residents, retailers, restaurants and entertainment venues likely wouldn’t generate the traffic necessary to be successful. And without local retail, residents may be forced to look elsewhere for conveniences. Nearly five years after the start of the Covid pandemic that decimated retail, neighborhood retail is playing out better than expected, said Joe Schwieterman,

Western Brown Line Bus Stop Temporarily Relocating During Lincoln Square Construction

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 28, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — Construction is underway on several projects at Leland and Western avenues in Lincoln Square that will require northbound commuters who catch the bus at the Western Brown Line stop to adapt their route slightly. Northbound #49 and #X49 buses normally stop at the Western Brown Line stop, 4648 N. Western Ave. During construction that began this week, the buses will be rerouted to stop a little farther south at the southeast

Made In Chicago: Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen

WBBM Radio Chicago / by Sarah Herrera / March 1, 2025 (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Local products, fresh produce, house-made salad, and imported foods, mostly from Europe. But the star of the show at Gene's Sausage Shop and Delicatessen is the meat. “Fourteen different flavors of bratwurst are the ones that sell the best.,” Co-owner Derek Luch said. Luch is the son of Gene, the shop's namesake founder. “We have customers coming in here that are like, ‘Hey, is Gene here?’ You know, asking for my father.” Read More

Free culinary boot camp teaches Chicago Public Schools students valuable skills in the kitchen

ABC7 Eyewitness News / by Ramona Meadors / March 1, 2025 CHICAGO (WLS) -- Calling all Chicago high school students who have an interesting in learning how to cook! The Foundation for Culinary Arts is pulling out the aprons for its third Yes, Chef! fresh pasta-making boot camp. The one-day boot camp is Saturday, April 26 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Chopping Block, located at 4747 N Lincoln Ave. in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood. Guided by The Chopping Block's esteemed culinary instructors,

NBCUniversal Local Chicago To Celebrate Women’s History Month

TV News Check / by Mark K. Miller / March 4, 2025 NBCUniversal Local Chicago (WMAQ and Telemundo Chicago) will commemorate Women’s History Month with dedicated feature stories highlighting the achievements of local leaders and organizations who are already inspiring the next generation of future trailblazers. “In conjunction with NBCUniversal’s ‘Women’s HerStory’ campaign, we are proud to share new stories celebrating the achievements and impact of Chicago’s leaders across our linear & digital

Shop Local Sweet Spot

Chicago Reader / letters@chicagoreader.com / February 27, 2025 Retail therapy is real, especially if you step inside MOLASSES. It’s a charming boutique tucked in a cozy, sunlit space below street level. MOLASSES is the shop equivalent of a stroll along a breezy beach.  The air inside the store is actually infused with fresh scents, thanks to P.F. Candle Co. soy candles carefully selected by owner Shea Morrill. “Growing up on the Maine coast, surrounded by rock beaches and pine forests, so much of my

Lincoln Square Neighbors Move Into Affordable Apartments Fought For By Community

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 27, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — A $43 million affordable housing development near the heart of Lincoln Square is now open to neighbors in need of stable housing who would otherwise have been displaced by high rents.  Developer Community Builders broke ground on the Canvas At Leland Plaza project at 4715 N. Western Ave. in July 2023 and completed construction last October. The developer joined city officials Wednesday at a ribbon cutting celebrating the

Chicago transforming Haven on Lincoln into transitional housing

Chicago Construction News / February 25, 2025 The Haven on Lincoln, a $14 million redevelopment of the former Diplomat Motel at 5230 N. Lincoln Avenue, will offer transitional housing for individuals experiencing homelessness, focusing on long-term stability, mental health support, and medical care. The 46-room motel will be transformed into 40 individual rooms, a safe, supportive environment for residents who have faced homelessness. A collaboration between the Chicago Department of Housing and the

Around Town - Piccadilly Market

WGN News / Around Town / February 26, 2025View More Here.

A Filipino-Hawaiian Bodega Serving Up Musubi and Other Snacks Is Coming to Ravenswood

WTTW Playlist / by Daniel Hautzinger / February 26, 2025 Julius Tacadena likes to describe himself as “delusionally optimistic.” It seems apt: he’s opening a restaurant-slash-bodega during the slow season – Chicago winter – less than a year after jumping into the food business and only half a year or so after meeting his business partner. At least he’s bringing island sunshine to the Midwestern dark season: Kanin will offer fast-casual meals and snacks that draw on Tacadena’s Filipino background and

Here’s Where To Get Paczki In Chicago For Fat Tuesday 2025

Block Club Chicago / by Marnie Shure / February 26, 2025 CHICAGO — Celebrating Fat Tuesday with a paczki or two is a Chicago tradition, and there’s no shortage of bakeries catering to demand this year. The Polish doughnuts, pronounced “pownch-key,” are a holiday staple. They’re made from enriched dough and a bit of grain alcohol, covered with powdered sugar, and filled with jam, custard or fruit. This year, Paczki Day, as it’s known to enthusiasts, falls on Tuesday (aka Fat Tuesday, the day before Lent

Lunchbreak: Buttermilk Fried Clams

WGN9 Midday News / by Kristina Miller / February 26, 2025 Darnell Reed – Chef/Owner Luella’s Southern Kitchen  4609 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, Illinoishttps://www.luellassouthernkitchen.comView More Here.  

Preview this year’s North Side Restaurant Week

CBS News Chicago / Jumpstart With Jackie / February 26, 2025 Head to Lincoln Square for North Side Restaurant Week with Jackie Kostek. View More Here.  

Local Bars Unite For Fundraiser Benefiting Chicago Foundation for Women

WGN News 9 / by Amy Rutledge and Tonya Francisco / February 27, 2025 Ahead of International Women’s Day, Four Entertainment Group’s seven bars across Chicago are uniting for a fundraiser benefitting Chicago Foundation for Women. Bartender, Sarah Crossley joined us to share the details and make us a few of the featured cocktails. aliveOne: 2683 N. Halsted St Remedy: 1910 N. Milwaukee Ave The Getaway: 4530 N. Lincoln Ave Central Park Bar: 2924 N. Central Park Ave Easy Bar: 1944 W. Division StView More

Lincoln Square Traffic Reroute Begins Wednesday

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 25, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — Commuters should plan ahead as Western, Leland and Lincoln avenues will soon have a new traffic pattern as part of the renovation of the Western Brown Line and other projects near the intersection. Construction crews will place barrels near the intersection of Western and Leland avenues starting Wednesday to temporarily reroute traffic for the Brown Line Plaza renovation, according to Ald. Matt Martin’s (47th) office. The new

Where to Get Paczki and Other Fat Tuesday Treats in 2025

WTTW / by Dan Hautzinger / February 24, 2025 Chicagoans are big fans of dessert – at least that’s the takeaway from compiling a list of sweet treats for Fat Thursday and Fat Tuesday, the days in which Christians historically use up all the delectable ingredients that they give up during the period of fasting known as Lent. There are plenty of treats traditionally eaten during this last hurrah of feasting and celebration, from the cardamom-scented semlor of Swedes to the colorful king cake of New Orleans’

The Thing: Steak Frites at Bistro Campagne

Third Coast Review / by Caroline Huftalen / February 20, 2025 I only break a mostly veg diet for select cravings. A necessary cheeseburger moment and Bistro Campagne’s Steak Frites are always top of my list. I’ve had everything on Bistro Campagne’s menu and I can say with certainty that they do everything very well, but the Steak Frites is like no other version in town. Bistro Campagne has been open in Lincoln Square since 2002 and has always maintained a dedication to French bistro fare and an

Four Popular Chicago Small Businesses Join Forces in a New Lincoln Square Corner Store

WTTW / by Daniel Hautzinger / February 21, 2025 A hospitality group known for welcoming pubs and bars is opening a corner store in Lincoln Square with the chef favorite Rare Tea Cellar, imaginative Pretty Cool Ice Cream, and mini chain Backlot Coffee – that will also offer treats from further Chicago stalwarts Doughnut Vault, Katherine Anne Confections, and Publican Quality Bread. Piccadilly Market opens at 2559 W. Lawrence Avenue on February 25, with grand opening celebrations planned for the weekend of

North Side Restaurant Week Returns With Nearly 70 Restaurants Offering Special Menus

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 25, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — North Side Restaurant Week returns this week to offer diners a variety of culinary options at more than 60 restaurants, with exclusive, fixed-price menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The event kicks off Thursday and goes through March 9. Tickets are not required as diners can simply visit any of the participating restaurants across nine North Side neighborhoods: Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Albany Park, Edgewater, Irving

Plan To Turn Lincoln Square’s Diplomat Hotel Into Transitional Housing Gets $5.5 Million TIF Boost

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 19, 2025 City Council approved additional funding for the $14 million renovation of the former motel into The Haven for people experiencing homelessness. LINCOLN SQUARE — City Council on Wednesday approved an additional $5.5 million toward the renovation of a former Lincoln Square motel into transitional housing for Chicagoans experiencing homelessness. The Haven on Lincoln is replacing the Diplomat Motel, 5230 N. Lincoln Ave., as part of a $14 million

North Side Restaurant Week

Time Out Chicago / January 29, 2025 The North Side is bringing back its own Restaurant Week, offering exclusive deals during lunch and dinner. Enjoy three-course menus at places throughout Lincoln Square, Ravenswood, Albany Park, Edgewater, Irving Park, Northcenter, North Park, Rogers Park and Uptown. Participating spots include Maman Zari, Bistro Campagne, Khmai, Boonie's, Luella's, the Warbler and more. Find the full list of restaurants and menus. Read More Here.  

Tired of scrolling? A beginner’s guide to learning a new craft in Chicago

WBEZ Chicago / by Esther Bergdahl / February 18, 2025 With all the stressors of the world, you may be seeking every chance you can to be away from screens. One antidote to doomscrolling: Learning a new skill that includes a little reward at the end — a memento of the time and effort you put in with your own hands. Settle in to 2025, your year of crafting. Passive consumption is over. We’re ready to make things. Leaning into creativity has many rewards. “I think the act of making something can be

Koval Rolls Out New Line Of Limited-Run Luxury Craft Spirits

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 12, 2025 RAVENSWOOD — Koval’s new luxury line features a bottle celebrating the ingredients used to craft the Ravenswood distillery’s award-winning spirits. Founded in 2008 by Sonat Birnecker Hart and Robert Birnecker, Koval became the first distillery in Chicago since Prohibition ended. The distiller’s new line, Thresh & Winnow, features limited-edition whiskeys and Japanese botanical-inspired gins. “We wanted to have a really high-end line,”

Want To Train Your Dog To Hunt Rats? This Ravenswood Workshop Teaches The Art Of Ratting

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 14, 2025 RAVENSWOOD —  A Chicago pet shop is bringing the centuries-old sport of “ratting” to Ravenswood with a modern, humane twist. Urban Pooch, 5400 N. Damen Ave. — which regularly offers grooming, doggie daycare and pet supplies to neighborhood dog owners — is hosting its inaugural ratting workshop on March 16. The two-hour, $75 class will focus on developing a dog’s scent and communication skills by having the pup hunt for rats. At this writing the

North Side Restaurant Week to offer dozens of diverse meal specials

ABC7 Eyewitness News / by Ramona Meadors / February 16 ,2025 CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago Restaurant Week may be over, but kitchens are heating up on the city's north side for another week of delectable deals. North Side Restaurant Week kicks off February 27th and runs through March 9th. More than 50 restaurants, across nine neighborhoods, are participating this year, offering a variety of diverse cuisine. Eateries in Albany Park, Edgewater, Irving Park, Lincoln Square, Northcenter, North Park, Ravenswood,

The most romantic restaurants in Chicago to book for date night

Time Out Chicago / Edited by Jeffy Mai / February 3, 2025 While the quality of the food is always important, a restaurant’s design and ambiance also play a big role in the experience. That’s why at the city’s most romantic restaurants, you’ll find stunning dining rooms, dim lighting, beautiful backdrops and other intimate touches that help spark love. A perfect date night may involve a comforting meal at an Italian trattoria, a lavish steakhouse feast or an evening in an unexpected place (who knew

Oscar Joyo mural is love letter to Lincoln Square, arts district

Chicago Sun Times / by Genvieve Bookwalter / January 31, 2025 Artist Oscar Joyo has worked on campaigns for big brands like Nike and Doc Martens. But his latest mural pays homage to Lincoln Square, his home. When he saw a call for submissions, “I was like, you know what, let’s do it. It’s three to five minutes away from where I live,” Joyo says. “When I got accepted, I was like, wait, I actually got it? This is crazy.” The mural, titled LOVE, LANA (LANA LOVE), is about 24 feet wide by 40 feet tall on a

Ravenswood Manor, Other Historic Neighborhoods Missing From New Map, Neighbors Say

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 5, 2025 University of Chicago researchers recently released a resident-drawn neighborhood map of Chicago that some North Siders say overlooks certain areas but is mostly accurate when it comes to Lincoln Square. LINCOLN SQUARE — Some North Side neighbors have thoughts on a new map from the University of Chicago aimed at better defining the city’s complex web of neighborhood boundaries for the 21st century. “You need to go back to the drawing board,”

Chicago’s Best Butchers and Stores to Buy Meat

Eater Chicago / by Nylah Iqbal Mohammed / February 5, 2025   On a journey to buy better meat and try less-common proteins like venison, elk, antelope, and grouse? In Chicago, we’re spoiled for choice. The city has an abundance of places to get quality cuts of chicken, beef, and pork, and duck breasts, elk steaks, whole rabbits, and other meats that you might not ever find at a supermarket. And, at Chicago Meat Collective, butcher McCullough Kelly-Willis is even teaching classes. Still, butchery is a

Where to Find the Best Burgers in Chicago

Conde Nast Traveler / by Nicole Schnitzler / January 24, 2025 Burgers have a storied (or stacked, rather) history in a place like Chicago. While the hamburger’s beginnings are contested and centuries-old, many still credit a Windy City spot called Drexel's Pure Food with debuting America’s first burger served on a bun in 1917. In 1929 Chicago saw the arrival of White Castle and its original five-cent burger, and then, of course, there were the golden arches themselves in 1955, when McDonald’s opened its

Lincoln Square’s Davis Theater Launches Memberships For Film Lovers

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / February 7, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The owners of the Davis Theater recently launched a new membership program aimed at helping to maintain the more-than-100-year-old theater and expand its unique programing. The theater at 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. was first built in 1918 and was originally known as the Pershing Theater, hosting vaudeville acts and silent films. Over the years, the Davis has been renovated a few times to accommodate changing audience tastes and the

Chicago's best pizza award for Spacca Napoli came as owner faced cancer

Chicago Sun Times / by Courtney Kueppers | WBEZ / February 7, 2025 Spacca Napoli in Ravenswood has won plenty of honors. But last month’s Jean Banchet Award for “Chicago’s Best Pizza” came at the exact right moment for restaurateur Jonathan Goldsmith. Last July, doctors discovered cancer in his stomach. It was a cosmic gut punch for a man who has spent two decades sending customers out the door with delightfully stuffed bellies. Three days after the Banchets, he underwent surgery to remove a tumor, which

2nd annual North Side Restaurant Week starts on Feb. 27

ABC7 Eyewitness News / by ABC7 Chicago Digital Team / February 10, 2025 CHICAGO (WLS) -- The second annual North Side Restaurant Week is running from Feb. 27 through March 9. Restaurants in Albany Park, Irving Park, Edgewater Lincoln Square, Northcenter, North Park, Rogers Park, Uptown and Ravenswood will offer exclusive fixed-price menus for breakfast, lunch and dinner during the event. There are no tickets and interested eaters can soon browse the offerings at northsiderestaurantweek.org. Organizers

Say “I Love You” With Candy This Valentine’s Day

WGN9 / by Ji Suk Yi, Sarah Jindra / January 24, 2025 It’s an artisanal candy bar for grown-ups with colorful, nostalgic treats that kids love too! “Amy’s Candy Bar” is getting ready for one of the biggest candy holidays of the year! Chef Amy Hansen joins us with more. View More Here.  

Providing Healthy Food, Kinship & Support

WGN9 / by Sarah Jindra, Ji Suk Yi / January 27, 2025 One in five Chicago households experience food insecurity. That’s why Common Pantry is encouraging you to get involved and help connect families with healthy food, kinship and support. Margaret O’Conor joins us with more. View More Here.  

The 2025 Winners of the Jean Banchets, Chicago's Local Food Awards

WTTW - Playlist / by Daniel Hautzinger / January 26, 2025 The Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence honor Chicago’s food and beverage industry, but if you take all the ceremony presenters and winners at their word, the awards may as well honor the best in the country. Chicago and its food scene were spoken of only in superlatives. In a ceremony that featured cameos from various icons, from the “tamale guy” Claudio Velez to Kasama’s Genie Kwon and Tim Flores to “breakfast queen” Ina Pinkney, chef

Roman-Style Capriccio Pizzeria, Nirvana Dispensary Coming To Lincoln Square

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / January 24, 2025 New businesses opening in the neighborhood also include a sustainability-focused cafe and an artisan market from The Green Post and The Northman owners. LINCOLN SQUARE — Four new businesses are opening in Lincoln Square in the coming weeks, including a Roman-style pizza restaurant, a sustainability-focused cafe, an artisan market and the neighborhood’s first weed dispensary. Read More Here.   

Boost your vegan cooking confidence with expert tips from notable chefs

USA Today / by Jackie Runice / January 20, 2025 Plant-based cuisine has blossomed into a flavor-packed culinary adventure, taking the food world by storm. But where can you learn to make "dairy" from cashews and tempeh palatable? Whether you're a curious carnivore flirting with vegan Mondays or ready to enter the world of vegan cooking, we've curated a wide variety of plant-based resources, including sage advice from notable chefs, to boost your kitchen confidence. Read More Here.  

News Release: 1/28/2025

Chicago Magazine / by Karl Klockars / January 28, 2025 PERFECT FOR Quiet contemplation and philosophical debates START WITH Will Be, the fruity, fluffy, and easy-drinking flagship saison The corner of Ravenswood and Winona has been home to beer makers since the late 2000s, when Metropolitan Brewing set up shop as one of the city’s craft beer pioneers. Read More Here.  

A Toast to Ravenswood happening Thursday night

CBS News / Jumpstart with Jackie / January 23, 2025 A Toast to Ravenswood happening Thursday night Join in on “A Toast to Ravenswood” Thursday night from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tickets are $40. View More Here.  

A Toast To Ravenswood: A Winter Stroll

WGN Channel 9 / by Tanya Francisco, Amy Rutledge / January 22, 2025 A Toast To Ravenswood is the perfect opportunity to escape those winter blues in style, sipping on refreshing cold weather cocktails while learning about local businesses. Jason Dohmann & Jamie Mora from Platform 47 joined us with a preview of the event. Thursday, January 30th 6 pm – 9 pm North Damen and Ravenswood Avenues (Leland to Argyle) View More Here.  

Interview: Moody Teas Tea for All Is a Brand We Can Get Behind

Third Coast Review / by Caroline Huftalen / January 21, 2025 Tea for all and all for tea, Moody Teas deep commitment to accessibility makes their brand—and exceptional product—something we can all root for year-round. You may have seen their booth at a local farmers market. I hopped on the band wagon at one of the final markets of the season, just in time for their Pumpkin Up Chai blend and I am currently making another order as I write this. Moody Teas is a local business with a great heart. They have a

‘Deli Boys,’ an upcoming Hulu series shot in Chicago, puts South Asians at the center of its humor

Chicago Sun Times / by Selena Fragassi / January 11, 2025 Set in Philadelphia, the show aims to get Pakistani American culture right but tell a dark, funny story that could happen to anyone. A coroner’s car, yellow crime scene tape, FBI agents and a fleet of cameras aren’t exactly normal fare for Shalimar Banquets in suburban Addison. But last April wasn’t exactly a normal scenario for the wedding and event venue. Rather than hosting a couple’s nuptials, Shalimar was hosting the cast and crew of upcoming

Five Delicious Reasons to Leave the House This Winter

Chicago Magazine / by Anthony Todd / January 15, 2025 We all tend to hibernate during a Chicago January. It can be easy to assume that we aren’t missing anything, since why would anyone host anything important during this least festive of months? That said, there are plenty of great food events in January and February for those brave enough to seek them out. Here are five worth your time. Read More Here.  

Liza Minnelli movie part of Chicago's acclaimed Doc10 festival, will be shown at Davis Theater Wed.

ABC7 Eyewitness News / by Marsh Jordan and Hosea Sanders / January 15, 2025 CHICAGO (WLS) -- "Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story" is a fascinating documentary that's already getting rave reviews. It can be seen Wednesday night at an exclusive Chicago showing. Director Bruce David Klein talked about making a movie featuring showbiz sensation Liza Minnelli. "To feel the waves of love in the audience for Liza Minnelli, people just love her in a way that's more than just, 'Oh, I like her songs' or

6 New Restaurants, Bars And Bakeries Coming To Lincoln Square And Irving Park — Plus More Food News

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / January 10, 2025 The new Small Cheval has already greeted customers, Del Sur Bakery hit its fundraising goal and Irene’s Finer Diner is planning a spring reopening. LINCOLN SQUARE — A much-anticipated bakery is gearing up to open this spring in Lincoln Square after hitting a fundraising goal, while a few other neighborhood restaurants closed, but some only temporarily, at the end of last year. Small Cheval, 2156 W. Montrose Ave., officially opened its Lincoln

The Story of Lincoln Square

WTTW Chicago by "L" / by Meredith Francis / January 2025 Two green, metal archways emblazoned with “Lincoln Square” bookend a popular strip of Lincoln Avenue from Leland to Lawrence avenues right off the Western Brown Line stop. In this neighborhood, people can find everything from European-style pastries and books to authentic German beerhalls and brats. Though many Chicagoans think of it as a small neighborhood, Lincoln Square is the name of a large community area made up of smaller neighborhoods,

The Story of Ravenswood

WTTW Chicago by "L" / by Daniel Hautzinger / January 2025 Chicago neighborhood names can be tricky; Ravenswood is a perfect example of that. For a long time, what many people today consider Lincoln Square was known only as Ravenswood. The Ravenswood elevated train, now the Brown Line, has stops in Ravenswood at Montrose and Damen but extends all the way to Albany Park. And Ravenswood Manor? Not part of Ravenswood – it falls into Lincoln Square and Albany Park. Ravenswood began as an exclusive commuter

Chicago’s Best Zero-Proof Drinks and Non-Alcoholic Cocktails

Eater Chicago/ by Nylah Iqbal Muhammad / January 2, 2025 As a Muslim, I don’t drink. But plenty of people abstain or limit their intake of alcohol for other reasons that aren’t religious or cultural. Some want to avoid negative health side effects, others want to go on personal journeys, and some simply don’t like the taste. In response to growing awareness of sober (and California sober) lifestyles, restaurants are starting to answer with non-alcoholic drink menus, low-ABV drinks, or CBD-infused drinks.

Bowmanville Metal Factory Hosting Limited Run Of Chekhov’s ‘Uncle Vanya’

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / January 8, 2025 ‘BOWMANVILLE — A Bowmanville factory will reprise its role as a stage for innovative theater, this time serving as the fading estate in a new production of Russian playwright Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya.”  Director Spencer Huffman staged Caryl Churchill’s surreal play, “Far Away,” at Servi-Sure, 2020 W. Rascher Ave., last year, thanks to his friendship with factory owner and theater lover Chris Angus. The success of that production led the pair

Extremely Local News: Lincoln Square welcomes burger chain Small Cheval

WGNRadio720 / by Hayley Boyd / January 6, 2025 Jon Hansen, host and executive producer of ‘The Block Club Chicago Podcast’, joins Bob Sirott to share the latest Chicago neighborhood stories. Jon has details on: 90 Miles Cuban Cafe Closes In Roscoe Village — And Logan Square Location Faces Possible Eviction: Both 90 Miles restaurants were closed as of Friday. The landlord of its Logan Square location is seeking almost $62,000 in rent as well as other fees, according to a lawsuit filed in

In New Holiday Rom-com ‘Christmas In Chicago,’ Lincoln Square Is The Star

Block Club Chicago / by Gwen Ihnat / December 16, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Many Hallmark-type holiday movies have a similar plot: Big-city professional woman revisits her small hometown and rediscovers what’s really important about life during the Christmas season. In the vast majority of these movies, the city is something to be escaped instead of treasured. Which is what makes “Christmas in Chicago” so unusual. In Mark Nathan’s new holiday rom-com, the North Side neighborhood of Lincoln Square stands in

Beloved Lincoln Square restaurant closes after over a decade in business

WGN Channel 9 / by Anna Roberts / December 16, 2024 CHICAGO — A neighborhood-favorite restaurant is closing it’s doors after over a decade in Lincoln Square. Gather, located at 4539 N Lincoln Ave, announced over the weekend on social media that they are “Hanging up our aprons for the last time.” Sunday was the last dinner service, according to the post. “Since December 2012, Gather has been our dream — a place where we’ve had the honor of sharing our passion for hospitality with all of you. We are

Day 1 of SBC’s Bike Lane Week 2024: Far North Side

StreetsBlog Chicago / by John Greenfield / December 11, 2024 Hey there, Streetsblog readers. After introducing our new Map of 2024 CDOT Bikeway Installations on Monday, I put it to use Tuesday afternoon. I visited our first round of Chicago Department of Transportation projects that have been completed this year, or are currently underway, based on CDOT's Planned Bike Projects spreadsheet. As was the case with Bike Lane Week last year, my goal is not to pedal the entire length of every route. Instead, I'm

35th annual 'Small Print Show' impresses with intricate, yet affordable fine art

Chicago Sun Times / by Erica Thompson / December 7, 2024 For Deborah Maris Lader, there’s nothing more beautiful than drawing on a piece of rock. She expressed that sentiment on Saturday at the 35th annual Small Print Show and Holiday Sale at the Chicago Printmakers Collaborative print shop. Pointing to a hunk of limestone sourced from a mine in Bavaria, she explained the intricate, nine-month printmaking behind one of her pieces, “Can’t See the Forest for the Poet Trees.” First, as part of the color

The 25 Best Things to Eat Right Now

Chicago Magazine / December 10, 2024 From pistachio gelato to spicy Sichuan noodles, the most memorable bites of the moment offer a delicious tour of the city. Read More Here.  

Pottery studios are fired up as more Chicagoans seek community, dirty hands and screen-free experiences

by Olivia Dimmer for the Sun-Times / WBEZ Chicago / December 7, 2024 Studio owners say their spaces are full of hobbyists and experienced artists, citing a surge in interest driven by social media and a desire for hands-on, screen-free experiences. After relocating to Chicago from Spain, Leonor San Sebastián initially felt disconnected from her neighbors and the city’s art scene. That changed when she opened her Lincoln Square pottery studio Ceramics by Leo in September 2023. The response from the

Beer, architecture and Lincoln Square: The lasting impact of German culture in Chicago

WBEZ Curious City / by Erin Allen / December 5, 2024 If you’ve ever shown up to a bar on a Sunday afternoon or listened to a concert at the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, you’ve experienced firsthand the lasting impact of German culture in the city. Last episode, we went to Christkindlmarket, one of the most prominent examples of German culture in Chicago. There are key organizations like the Goethe Institute and DANK Haus. But there are also more subtle, everyday activities we participate in that would be

At the annual ‘Songs of Good Cheer,’ Christmas carols never go out of style

Chicago Tribune / by Doug George / December 2, 2024 It may not draw crowds like “The Nutcracker,” but as an annual Chicago holiday tradition it has no less devoted an audience. “Songs of Good Cheer,” on stage next week in a short series of concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music, is a show with Christmas carols and other holiday music led by Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn, both former columnists for the Tribune. There’s a backing house band of professional folk, country and jazz musicians, and audience

Timeless Toys in Chicago has hot holiday gifts for Small Business Saturday

Fox32 Chicago / November 30, 2024Timeless Toys in Chicago has some great holiday gift ideas for your shopping this season and especially for Small Business Saturday. They emphasize "toys that teach." See More Here.

Woman-owned Chicago candle shop started out as a back-up plan

Fox32 Winning with Women / December 4, 2024 In this week's Winning With Women segment, Fox 32 Chicago highlights a Lincoln Square woman-owned candle business that started out as a back-up plan. View More Here.  

Breweries Are Turning Up the Heat on Winter Beer

Imbibe / by Joshua M. Bernstein / November 1, 2024 Winter solstice celebrations can be overshadowed by other bright-and-merry December events. But in 2022, Laura Worley and Wayne Burns decided to shine a new light on the year’s longest, darkest day. The married couple took their Denver brewery’s name, Burns Family Artisan Ales, at face value and built a bonfire outside. They invited customers to gather around crackling flames with strong imperial stouts, barley wines, and plum-flavored winter warmers set

Small Business Saturday in Lincoln Square & Ravenswood

WGN News / November 22, 2024 This holiday season, show your appreciation for the small businesses in the community. Small Business Saturday in Lincoln Square & Ravenswood is back, with special discounts, promotions and festive events all day long. View More Here.  

Shopping small in Lincoln Square

CBS News Chicago / Jumpstart with Jackie / November 25, 2024 We are kicking off one of the busiest shopping weeks of the year, here are some perfect gifts you can get by shopping small. View More Here.   

Shop Local 2024: A Lincoln Square, North Center, Albany Park, Irving Park And Ravenswood Gift Guide

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / November 15, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Lincoln Square has a plethora of small, independent shops along its busy commercial corridor. The 149-year-old Merz Apothecary has gifts for those who enjoy a spa day at home while The Book Cellar has a few Chicago-centric guides to exploring the city for more adventurous family and friends. Independent shops in neighboring Ravenswood, North Center, Irving Park, Albany Park and North Park also have a wide variety of gifts for

Owner of Sideshow Gelato in Lincoln Square launches campaign to save the store

CBS News Chicago / 11/13/2024 It's a store that offers a quirky combination of circus sideshow thrills and a sweet twist of gelato. The owner has been struggling to keep his business open. See More Here.  

Holiday shopping in Chicago's Lincoln Square

CBS News Chicago / Jumpstart with Jackie / November 12, 2024 Start your holiday shopping early with Jackie Kostek at Timeless Toys in Lincoln Square. See More Here.  

2024 Chicago Holiday Events Guide

WTTW / by Erica Demarest and Eunice Alpasan / November 11, 2024 From light shows to theater, themed bars and dance spectacles, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this holiday season. We’ve rounded up some of the season’s highlights in Chicago and the suburbs. See More Here.  

Ravenswood Restaurant Owner Wins Bid to Lift Century-Old Ban on Selling Alcohol

WTTW / by Amanda Vinicky / November 5, 2024 The owners of Ravenswood restaurant XOchimilco can toast “salud” after voters in a sliver of Chicago’s Northwest Side voted overwhelmingly to overturn a more than century-old ban on liquor sales. Nearly 85% of voters on Tuesday voted to give businesses the ability to sell booze in that area, according to unofficial results. XOchimilco’s owners didn’t learn that the section of the 47th Ward’s 9th precinct where their restaurant is located had been dry since 1907

Dimo’s Reopening Friday In Lincoln Square With Slice Shop

Block Club Chicago / by Leen Yassine / October 30, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — After closing its sit-down cafe this month, Dimo’s is reopening in Lincoln Square — this time with a traditional slice shop. The casual slice shop opens Friday at 4647 N. Lincoln Ave. It will have counter service and expanded pizza and wine selections, said owner Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau. To celebrate its return, Dimo’s Pizza will offer $2 slices Friday-Sunday, limited to one slice per person per day. The new slice shop will be open

The 2025 Finalists for Chicago's Local Food Awards, the Jean Banchets

WTTW / by Daniel Hautzinger / October 28, 2024 Even as the restaurant business continues to grapple with challenges augmented by changes since the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago remains a city with an outstanding dining scene. The local Jean Banchet Awards for Culinary Excellence, named after the Le Francais chef who helped put the Chicago area on the culinary map, recognize the talent on display here from counter-service and pizza joints to fine dining shrines of gastronomy. The finalists for the 2025

Lincoln Square's The Eco Flamingo general store makes zero-waste a reality

93XRT / by Nancy Harty / October 29, 2024 Along the wall of The Eco Flamingo are canisters of nuts, grains, legumes and more, but there are no plastic bags to put them in. General Manager Alexis Chavez said this general store is zero waste. “We allow you to bring in your own container, and you’re just refilling things that we have here instead of going to the store and purchasing something that’s already in plastic or other packaging,” Chavez said. “We’re just helping people reduce their waste.” Read More

Western Brown Line Construction Will Continue Into Next Year

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / October 23, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — While renovation of the Western Brown Line stop and bus turnaround will continue into next year, much of the exterior work is complete, officials said. CTA officials spoke at a virtual meeting Monday, offering the public an update on the nearly $20 million renovation of the public transit hub in the heart of Lincoln Square. The project was announced in 2022, featuring improvements requested by neighbors. Currently, the Brown

Here’s What To See In Lincoln Square And Ravenswood During Open House Chicago 2024

Block Club Chicago / by Gwen Ihnat / October 16, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Open House Chicago returns this weekend to showcase unique and intriguing buildings in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. The Chicago Architecture Center’s annual event is Saturday-Sunday and features more than 170 locations in more than 20 neighborhoods, including Lincoln Square and Ravenswood, two North Side neighborhoods known for historical churches, creative outlets, a whiskey distillery and strong German roots. For hours of

Taste your way through Filipino Heritage Month

Axios Chicago / by Monica Eng / October 13, 2024 Chicago's Filipino food and drink scene keeps expanding with innovative new restaurants, bakeries, cafes and more. Driving the news: October is Filipino American History Month, a great opportunity to check out cultural events and dishes from old and new spots representing the archipelago. I'm here to share some of my recent favorites and recommendations from local Filipino foodies. Read More Here.  

Dimo's Cafe Bids Farewell to Lincoln Square, Plans Return to Classic Slice Shop Roots

Hoodline Chicago / by Damon R. Sheffield / October 14, 2024 The dim lights of Dimo's Cafe in Lincoln Square will flicker for the last time come Saturday evening. After a year and a half of trying to bring its magic to the neighborhood, the establishment is folding up the full-service format and closing its doors for good. The outpost, launched in April 2023 at 4647 N. Lincoln Ave., was Dimo's attempt at a more traditional sit-down experience, complete with a full bar and shareable dishes. This represented

Himmel's

The Infatuation Chicago / by Nick Allen / October 14, 2024 If a family turned their large dining room into a beer hall, it'd look something like Himmel’s. The Ravenswood space is covered with knickknacks like instruments and family photos, and you can drink cheap imported beer at a table that used to be in the Himmel home. Read More Here.   

Lincoln Square restaurant spearheads campaign to end 117-year alcohol ban

WGN Midday News / by Brónagh Tumulty, Eli Ong / October 15, 2024 CHICAGO (WGN) — A family-owned business in Lincoln Square is spearheading a campaign to end an alcohol ban that’s existed in their neighborhood for more than 115 years. The ban was originally put in place in 1907, which wasn’t a bad year overall for the City of Chicago. An economic boom fueled the city’s industrial sector, while the Chicago Cubs swept the Detroit Tigers to win their first-ever World Series. However, it was also around this

North Side park, established in 1930, sees major upgrades

WBBM News Radio / by Carolina Garibay / October 8, 2024 Three new pickleball courts and revamped horseshoe pits and volleyball courts at Welles Park are part of a $400,000 project that funds the improvement of popular park spaces. The Chicago Park District said these improvements “intend to ensure the community has access to the best amenities only found in Chicago parks.” Patrons might notice new clay and turf on the historic horseshoe pits and new sand, posts, and netting on the volleyball courts. Read

Wild Goose Moving To Former Fork Spot In Lincoln Square This Fall

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / October 4, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — A popular sports bar is leaving its longtime North Center home, and a few neighborhood restaurants have announced their closures recently. Wild Goose at 4265 N. Lincoln Ave. is moving north on Lincoln after not extending its lease at their longtime home. Meanwhile, the owners of Lincoln Ice Cream Company, 4919 N. Lincoln Ave., announced last month they were going to close their doors for good Oct. 15. It’ll join Due Lire Vino &

Chicago chefs recommend 8 of their favorite local restaurants

Crain's Chicago Business / by Crain's Staff / September 30, 2024 Manilow asks every guest who joins the show where they like to eat on their days off. Some recommend upscale and well-known restaurants, while others share their favorite hidden gems. In this episode, we round up recommendations from eight previous Dining Table guests who spoke of spots a bit off the beaten path, at least as far as the typical Chicago dining guides go. Read More Here.  

Apple Fest 2024: Eat, shop, taste your way through Lincoln Square

ABC 7 Chicago / by Ramona Meadors / September 29, 2024 CHICAGO (WLS) -- The fall season is in full swing, and so are the festivities. Now in its 37th year, the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce is once again hosting Apple Fest -- with more apples than ever this year. Festival goers will be able to eat, shop and taste their way from Lawrence Avenue all the way to Sunnyside. Unique apple-inspired food and drinks are a big hit at the festival. Local farmers and artisan vendors will also sell

Ravenswood restaurant hosting Fundraiser for suicide prevention

CBS New Chicago / September 27, 2024 Two families formed an unlikely bond after tragedy, suicide, touched their lives. now, they're joining forces during National Suicide Prevention Month to let people know there is help and hope for people who are struggling. Jason Dohmann, owner of Platform 47, and Carol Hufford Deely, founder of Gabriel’s Light, talk more about the event happening Sunday.  See More Here.  

Master tailgate chili with The Chopping Block

FOX 32 Chicago / September 22, 2024 It's game day and you know what that means, tailgating. Chili is a classic gameday menu item. Chopping Block Chef Lisa Counts joins Good Day Chicago with a killer recipe. Watch More Here.  

The 21 best diners in Chicago

Time Out Chicago / September 19, 2024 Breakfast for dinner is a highly underrated meal but luckily, it’s not in short supply. Chicago’s best greasy spoons, such as Diner Grill and White Palace Grill, will make you a cheesy omelet, stack of pancakes or extra crispy bacon at all hours of the day. Craving a burger instead? No worries, Au Cheval has it covered with one of the best in the city. If you want to mix things up with a Filipino breakfast, head to Uncle Mike’s Place to find specialties like marinated

5 Free Things to Do in Chicago: Exploring on a Budget

RentBlog / by Emily Pascale / September 16, 2024 Whether you’re saving up for a home in the city, splurging on new decor for your rental house, or simply have rent to pay on your apartment at the end of the month, enjoying Chicago doesn’t have to break the bank. The city is filled with free activities that let you explore its rich culture, stunning architecture, and beautiful outdoor spaces without spending a dime. From art and music to scenic parks and historic landmarks, there are countless ways to

Drag queen storytime supporters drown out protest in Lincoln Square

NBC 5 Chicago / By NBC Chicago Staff / September 20, 2024 A demonstration targeting a drag queen story hour in Chicago's Lincoln Square neighborhood drew an impromptu counterprotest complete with music, dancing and an overwhelming show of support. "Jerry Tales: A Storytime Soiree With Drag Queens," a brunchtime story hour featuring drag queens Ginger Forest and Candi Forest, takes place each month at Jerry's Sandwiches, 4739 N. Lincoln Ave. At the most recent installment this past Sunday, around a dozen

Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe Is Adding A Speakeasy This Fall

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / September 13, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — A new speakeasy taking over the rear of Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe later this year will feature a new artisanal burger from the award-winning restaurant owner. After Jimmy Kang moved his popular pizza joint to 2434 W. Montrose Ave. two years ago, he quickly realized the larger space could allow him to play with a potential new restaurant concept like adding an arcade or something else, he said. “We always wanted to do some sort of

12 Most Romantic Restaurants In Chicago

Tasting Table / by Mona Bassil / September 16, 2024 Birthdays, anniversaries, proposals, engagements, New Year's Eve, Valentine's Day ... all of these occasions are often celebrated in restaurants known for their enticing vibe, sweeping view, or quality dishes. You don't have to wait for such moments to treat your significant other to a special meal, though. Keeping in mind a solid selection of the most romantic restaurants in your town or city for regular dates could always come in handy. And Chicago

North Center’s Common Pantry Provides Free Nutritional Education Amid Increased Demand

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / September 6, 2024 NORTH CENTER — Common Pantry’s recently expanded nutrition program is helping people learn more about healthy eating while providing hot meals ready to go. The nonprofit food pantry has offered assistance to North Siders experiencing hunger and food insecurity since 1967. In 2021, it bought a commercial building at 3900-10 N. Lincoln Ave. for $1.5 million with the help of state grants to expand its work. The facility opened last year, allowing

13 must-try Hispanic-owned restaurants in Chicago

Choose Chicago / September 16, 2024 National Hispanic Heritage Month is the perfect time to discover the diverse culinary traditions of Chicago’s dynamic Hispanic/Latino communities. The city’s Hispanic-owned restaurants specialize in everything from modern fusion fare to traditional recipes, covering cuisines from Brazil, Peru, Mexico, Spain, Puerto Rico, Colombia, and beyond.   You’ll even discover only-in-Chicago bites like the jibarito, a delicious fried plantain sandwich created by the city’s Puerto

Demo permits issued to clear the way for 4531 N. Western

Urbanize Chicago / by Lukas Kugler / September 17, 2024 Two demolition permits have been issued to clear the way for a planned residential development at 4531 N. Western. Planned by Western Front LLC, the new construction will replace two existing three-story structures. Designed by Hanna Architects, the new building will rise 55 feet and hold exclusively condominiums. The exterior of the four-story structure will be made up of dark gray brick, black aluminum panels, and silver aluminum panels. Private

From the Makers of KOVAL, Comes Thresh & Winnow, a New Line of Ultra Premium and Limited Spirits

Chicago Food Magazine / September 17, 2024 Available late September, Thresh & Winnow will debut with a limited edition 10-Year-Old  Rye Whiskey, and a Single Malt Whiskey. The whiskies will be followed in October by two gins, Foret and Citrine, inspired by Japan’s celebrated flavors of Shiso and Yuzu respectively.  Thresh & Winnow Organic 10-Year-Old 100% Rye Whiskey is a whiskey crafted from organic rye that has aged in the Midwest. Its nose is a mix of freshly cracked pepper and sun dried apricot,

Michelin-Starred Atelier Will Offer Weekend Takeout as the Restaurant Waits for Repairs

Eater Chicago / by Ashok Selvam / September 4, 2024 Atelier, the Michelin-starred restaurant in Lincoln Square, has been closed since August 24 as staff contends with a broken air conditioner and wall and ceiling damage caused by heavy rain late last month. As founder Tim Lacey and chef Christian Hunter wait for a new unit to arrive, the small business needs a way to continue in the short term. That’s why they’re offering a special five-course takeout menu from Friday, September 6 through Sunday, September

With Ceramics Popular As Ever, Local Artists Host Crawl With Pottery Studios Around Chicago

Block Club Chicago / by Leen Yassine / September 6, 2024 CHICAGO — Chicago has long had a thriving arts scene, but in recent years, its ceramics community has experienced a renaissance. More people are taking up pottery as a hobby and pursuing it as a career, and young potters are opening up their own studios, local artists say. Now, Chicagoans can explore and learn more about pottery with a Ceramics Crawl 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Learn more about the Ceramics Crawl here. Laura Williams, who

What’s That Building? Old Town School of Folk Music

WBEZ Chicago / by Dennis Rodkin and Haley Bloomquist / September 3, 2024 In the 1990s, a Chicago public library building that had sat unused for a decade got a second life. Or maybe, because of the traditions at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which took over the Art Deco building, it’s more accurate to say it got a Second Half. The building is now a fine place to watch live music — or make some. In the main auditorium, 450-seat Maurer Hall, nobody’s more than 45 feet from the stage, and over that

Outbound side of Western CTA Brown Line station closed for renovation project

CBS News / by Adam Harrington / Updated August 26, 2024 CHICAGO (CBS) -- CTA Brown Line riders may need to plan a little extra time for their commutes for the next several weeks. Outbound trains to Kimball will not be stopping at the busy Western Avenue stop, at Western and Leland avenues in Lincoln Square, as crews begin a $20 million renovation project, the Chicago Transit Authority said. The service change began this past Friday, and will continue until at least Friday, Sept. 20. Inbound trains

What to do, eat, and drink in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood

Chicago Choose Chicago / by Joe Dixon / August 23, 2024 Rich with the history of the immigrants who settled there, Chicago’s Lincoln Square and Ravenswood neighborhoods balance old-school charms with a culinary and arts scene built for the 21st century. Whether you’re on the hunt for a new favorite restaurant, a pub to hang out with friends, or want to indulge your artistic impulses, these neighboring communities have a lot to offer. Here are some places to explore and eat or drink to get you started on

Lillstreet Art Center: Creative Workspace For Artists

WGN Morning News / by Tonya Francisco / August 20, 2024 It’s Back-To-School Week on Daytime Chicago and today we discussed sparking creativity. Jewelry making, ceramics, printmaking and so much more. Young artists can nurture their creativity and sharpen their artistic skills at Lillstreet Art Center. Their team shared how your student can thrive in this creative workspace. See More Here.   

Weekend Break: Sideshow Gelato in Lincoln Square

WGN News / August 25, 2024 In Sunday's edition of Weekend Break on the WGN Weekend Morning News, Courtney Spinelli checks out Sideshow Gelato, a one-of-a-kind place in Lincoln Square. See More Here.  

Exploring Chicago’s Lincoln Square Neighborhood

Classic Chicago Magazine / by Bob Glaze /  August 17, 2024 Chicago’s Lincoln Square is one of my favorite neighborhoods in the city. I always love exploring and walking the neighborhood, particularly on the Lincoln Ave. pedestrian area between W. Lealand Ave. and W. Lawrence Ave. It has some great entertainment venues as well as some excellent shops, coffee bars and restaurants. There is usually ample parking on the street and in nearby lots, or you can easily take the Brown Line train to Western on the

Chicago-Centric ‘Welcome To The Show’ Brings Old-School Talk Show To Lincoln Square

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez /  August 16, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Patrons walking into the The Getaway for a drink with friends may run into Derek Bish holding court with comedians, artists and even taxidermists as part of Lincoln Square’s new live talkshow. Every other Monday since mid-June, Bish’s “Welcome To The Show” has taken over the back of the neighborhood bar, 4530 N. Lincoln Ave. to provide patrons an evening of free entertainment. “When I was promoting it originally, I called it a

Is/Was Brewing Opens On Malt Row In Ravenswood This Weekend

Block Club Chicago / Alex V. Hernandez / August 14, 2024 RAVENSWOOD — Ravenswood’s newest brewery is hosting a grand opening Saturday to celebrate its new headquarters and showcase its flagship beers. Is/Was Brewing’s grand opening is set for noon Saturday at the brewery’s new home at 5121 N. Ravenswood Ave. “We’ll have a fresh batch of our flagship beer, live music from Andrew Lawrence and the Harold’s Chicken Truck will be there too,” owner Mike Schallau said. The taproom will have 10 of its saison

Giddings Plaza renovations set to start early

Digital Marketing News / by Billy Stewart / August 8, 2024\ The Giddings Plaza, the heart of Lincoln Square, has a $400,000 renovation set to commence earlier than initially planned. This renovation includes an updated aesthetic, new landscaping, concrete repairs, and modern amenities installation. With funds sourced from local property owners, the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce hopes to revitalize this central gathering space and boost its appeal to both residents and visitors. Alderman Matt Martin,

Lincoln Square Plaza Construction Will Start Next Week After Business Owners Complain

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / August 6, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — The $400,000 facelift of Lincoln Square’s main plaza will now begin next week after talk of delays, but the work will be broken up into phases so nearby businesses won’t miss out on prime patio season weather. Construction at Giddings Plaza, 4733 N. Lincoln Ave., will now start Monday instead of in the fall. Ald. Matt Martin (47th) has been setting aside funds since last year to remove and replace the pavers as part of the

Chicago is celebrating the 100th birthday of Ella Jenkins, musician and architect of a social moveme

WBEZChicago / by Mark Guarino / August 1, 2024 For most people, the image of a rock star involves leather, steel and a background of smoke, strobe lights and pyrotechnics. In the world of children’s music, however, the genre’s preeminent rock star is Ella Jenkins, a soft-spoken but wonderfully charming performer and educator who turns 100 next Tuesday. Across her 67-year career, Jenkins firmly established the genre of children’s music as a serious endeavor — not just for artists to pursue but also for the

The Best Date Night Restaurants in Chicago

INSIDEHOOK / by Amanda Topper / July 30, 2024 Planning a date night can be daunting, but we’re here to prove there’s a great restaurant for just about any type of evening. Need an upscale vibe for a celebratory meal with your other half? We’ve got you. Want to pop in someplace that is effortlessly cool but won’t break the bank? We know just the place. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual night out or hoping to impress your significant other with an over-the-top dining experience, here are seven solid

Winnemac Park Construction Delayed To August

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / July 29, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Crews will begin construction on new drainage and other upgrades to some of Winnemac Park’s sports fields in August. The park district solicited bids from contractors in April with the goal of starting construction in June and having the new fields ready by November, according to park district plans. But the construction contract was not awarded for Winnemac Park until July, and the awarded contractor needed to finalize

Midnight Circus Returns To City Parks This Fall — And Brings Big Top To Lincoln Square

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / July 24, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Midnight Circus in the Parks will return to Chicago’s parks this September with multiple performances across the city, ending with a grand finale at Welles Park. Midnight Circus founders Jeff and Julie Jenkins launched their unique brand of acrobatic entertainment in Chicago in 2007. The popular circus features a variety of trapeze artists, tightrope walkers and acrobats, including world-class Cirque du Soleil performers in

How to Have a Hot Brat Summer

Eater Chicago / by Ashok Selvam / July 24, 2024 Look, Chicago loves its sausages. Imagine the city’s delight to wake up this week thinking that the media and the public are discussing one of your favorite encased meats. The brat has many Midwestern variations, whether cooked over charcoal in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, or served traditionally with rye bread, mustard, and sauerkraut. Heck, some folks may stuff fruit or nacho cheese inside the casing. Alas, this is not America’s discourse as Chicago ramps up for

J. Blanton Plumbing Joins the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce

EIN Presswire / July 22, 2024 Strengthening Community Ties and Enhancing Service Excellence NORTHBROOK, ILLINOIS, UNITED STATES, July 22, 2024 /EINPresswire.com/ -- J. Blanton Plumbing, Chicagoland’s trusted plumbing service provider, is proud to announce its new membership with the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce. This strategic alliance underscores our commitment to community involvement and elevating the quality of plumbing services in the Chicagoland area. About Us Since 1993, J.

Lincoln Square, Near West Side Police Commanders Swap Districts

Block Club Chicago / Alex V. Hernandez / July 23,2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Police Supt. Larry Snelling’s latest reshuffling of the department’s leaders has two veteran commanders swapping police districts. Beth Giltmier is taking over as commander of the Lincoln (20th) Police District. The district includes parts of Lincoln Square, Uptown, Edgewater, Andersonville and Ravenswood. A 34-year veteran of the department, Giltmier most recently served as commander of the Near West (12th) District. Giltmier is

8 New Eateries To Try In Lincoln Square, North Center, Ravenswood

Block Club Chicago / Alex V. Hernandez / July 22, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — A North Center cream shop, three coffee shops, a halal-friendly greasy spoon, two Thai restaurants and a breakfast joint have recently opened in Irving Park, Lincoln Square and Ravenswood. Here’s the info on the eight recently opened businesses. Read More Here.  

Best Rooftop Biergarten

Chicago Magazine / by Robert Loerzel / July 16, 2024 As you stroll past a certain food shop in Lincoln Square in the summer, you might not be aware that some folks are sitting on its roof, sipping craft beers, biting into spicy sausages, and possibly even looking down at you. To reach that delightful space, enter Gene’s Sausage Shop & Delicatessen, walk past the produce, and take the elevator up. As you head out onto the roof, you’ll be greeted by a big fiberglass cow. With its umbrella-shaded picnic

Stage Buzz: Windy City Smokeout, Square Roots Fest, Mother Mother, Pussy Riot

Illinois Entertainer / by Brassneck / July 9,2024 One of Chicago’s most beloved music fests that haven’t fled to the suburbs this year, Windy City Smokeout, is back in the United Center parking lot this weekend with an impressive country lineup, including Thomas Rhett, Parker McCollum, Cody Johnson, and Carrie Underwood. The event also features some of the country’s best BBQ and craft beer options. It all happens July 11-14; see the full line-up and ticket options here. (-David Gedge) Street Fest Square

Chicago’s 50 Best Restaurants, Ranked

Chicago / by Amy Cavanaugh and John Kessler / July 8, 2024 In a city of great places to eat, here are our favorites. Read More Here.  

20 quintessential summer foods in Chicago to enjoy — from ice-cold to spicy hot

Chicago Sun Times / by Maggie Hennessy / July 3, 2024 We Chicagoans are used to fielding commentary about our intolerable weather from out-of-towners and nonbelieving expats. “Those winters are unbearable!” they gasp. Internally, we smirk at their misplaced hubris, knowing full well that no city summers better than Chicago. With so much to do during the summer months, eating necessarily becomes far less precious. We need sustenance: often cold and nearly always handheld. If savory, it must be

Square Roots Festival brings the party back to Lincoln Square

by ABC7 Chicago Digital Team / ABC-Chicago / July 6, 2024 Held by theLincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce andOld Town School of Folk Music, Square Roots brings together the best that Lincoln Square has to offer--all things craft beer, live music, local restaurants and family fun. The annual street fest has three outdoor stages, an indoor stage, interactive workshops with Old Town School of Folk Music, kids activities and local vendors for three days of summer fun with over 40,000 people in

Ravenswood’s Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe Recognized By ‘Michelin Of Pizza’ For Its NY-Style Slice

Block Club Chicago / Alex V. Hernandez / June 27, 2024 RAVENSWOOD — A trio of influential pizza critics ranked Jimmy’s Pizza Cafe as one of the top places for a slice in the nation. Jimmy Kang’s restaurant at 2434 W. Montrose Ave. is known for its New York-style pizza by the pie and the slice, as well as for morning beignets and coffee. While locals are quick to sing praise of Jimmy’s pizzas, this year is the first time Kang has been recognized by Italian food critics Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro

Chicago Landmarks: Margie’s Candies

Classic Chicago Magazine / by Adrian Naves / July 1, 2024 Summer is officially here – for most Chicagoans, the summers are a real treat… but sometimes the summers can become a bit unbearable at times. That’s when everyone in Chicago knows what time it is, it’s time to cool off and head to Margie’s Candies. A popular and well-beloved ice cream shop that’s regarded as a confectionary legend in the Windy city, established decades ago and has been honored with landmark status. Margie’s Candies was also

Ravenswood’s Levy Center Mural A Finalist In People’s Choice Awards

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / July 1, 2024 RAVENSWOOD — Fans of a mural celebrating the residents of the Northeast Levy Senior Center have until Tuesday to vote for the artwork to win in this year’s CODAawards, an international public art contest. Artists Christophe Gausparro and Jeff Zimmermann won a Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events contest in 2022 that allowed them to paint the mural near the Northeast Levy Senior Center, 2019 W. Lawrence Ave. Read More Here.  

Chicago film insiders hope this weekend’s Sundance satellite will forge pipeline to Park City

WBEZ Chicago / by Graham Meyer / June 26, 2024 Sundance. For most moviegoers, the word conjures the ski-town winter film festival, an annual champion of independent film founded by Robert Redford and named after one of his most famous onscreen characters. In addition to organizing the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, the Sundance Institute also functions as an incubator of independent films, providing expert guidance and funding for projects such as Reservoir Dogs and Requiem for a Dream. Both

These Chicago pizza restaurants were just named best in the U.S.

TimeOut / by Anna Rahmanan / June 26, 2024 Chicagoans love their local pizza shops and, as it turns out, so should everyone else in the country—seven Chicago spots were just named best in the U.S. by 50 Top Pizza, an online guide focusing on the top Italian pizzerias across the globe. Although New York City was the most represented town in the guide, which also includes a slew of other awards like pizza maker of the year and new entry of the year, Chicago came in second with seven mentions, including

Winnemac Park First Fourth Of July Celebration Will Have Fire Dancers, Disc Golf And More

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / July 2, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Winnemac Park’s first official Fourth of July event will feature fire dancers, food trucks, a disc golf tournament and more. Called the Winnemac Fourth for All, the event was created by the Winnemac Park Advisory Council. It will start 9 a.m. Thursday at the park, 5100 N. Leavitt St., with a disc golf tournament, and it culminate with a performance from Full Moon Jam — a group of acrobatic fire spinners — from sunset to 10 p.m. Read

Lincoln Square Food Pantry Launching Fundraiser To Help More Neighbors In Need

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / June 26, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — A Lincoln Square food pantry facing increased demand because of the pandemic, rising food costs and more migrants settling in the area is throwing a summer fundraiser to serve more neighbors. The Friendship Center is hosting the End Hunger Games fundraiser 3-6 p.m. Aug. 11 at Guild Row Social Club, 3130 N. Rockwell St. Tickets start at $35, and the event will feature food, games such as corn hole, darts and a ping pong table, and

Square Roots Festival: Showcasing The Best That Lincoln Square Has To Offer

WGN Midday News / by Amy Rutledge & Tonya Francisco / June 26, 2024 Square Roots Festival brings together the best that Lincoln Square has to offer from craft beer and live music to local restaurants and family fun. It will feature a variety of food vendors including Essence of India. Chef and owner, Satya Das joined us with a preview. Read More Here.  

Highest-rated Southern restaurants in Chicago by diners

Shaw Local News Network / by Stacker / June 21, 2024 When you travel below the Mason-Dixon Line, you’ll find some of the most mouthwatering, comforting cuisine in the country: Southern food. Southern dishes are a vital part of American cuisine, from hush puppies to ham hocks and beignets to barbecue. It's impossible to define a classic Southern meal, but a solid one starts with the sharp savory flavor of pimento cheese dip, followed by the delicious crunchiness of fried chicken or a spicy Louisiana

The 20 quintessential summer foods in Chicago to eat right now, from ice-cold to spicy hot

WBEZ Chicago / by Maggie Hennessy / June 20, 2024 We Chicagoans are used to fielding commentary about our intolerable weather from out-of-towners and nonbelieving expats. “Those winters are unbearable!” they gasp. Internally, we smirk at their misplaced hubris, knowing full well that no city summers better than Chicago. With so much to do during the summer months, eating necessarily becomes far less precious. We need sustenance: often cold and nearly always handheld. If savory, it must be well-ratioed,

7 New Filipino Spots To Try In Chicago

Block Club Chicago / by Molly DeVore / July 14, 2024 CHICAGO — Chicagoans on the hunt for fresh pandesal rolls, authentic chicken adobo and ube-flavored anything suddenly have an array of options. Over the past year, a host of Filipino restaurants have popped up across the city. Chicago is home to the seventh-largest Filipino population in the country, according to a 2019 analysis by Pew Research Center. Though restaurants like West Town’s Uncle Mike’s Place have served up longaniza and garlic rice for

A complete list of summer festivals in Chicago for 2024

NBC5 Chicago / by Grace Erwin / June 11, 2024 Summer in Chicago is back, and festival season is in full swing. The city has something for everyone - from free musical performances to annual neighborhood food festivals to iconic multi-day events like Pitchfork and Lollapalooza. Read More Here

40th Ward Development Town Hall heralds many promising Far North Side sustainable transportation pro

StreetBlogChicago / by John Greenfield / June 10, 2024 Ald. Andre Vasquez and his staff discussed upcoming pedestrian improvements, plazas, and bikeways, plus the new Peterson/Ridge Metra station. Update 6/11/24, 2:45 PM: Asked whether the the 40th Ward is going to get protected bike lanes on Damen Avenue near Winnemac Park and Amundsen High, where a driver fatally struck bike rider Donald Heggemann, 59 last October, Vasquez provided the following response. "I don't know that we are. We're trying to

Get Ready For Construction In Lincoln Square, Edgewater And Andersonville This Summer

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / June 7, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — A variety of Lincoln Square construction projects to improve street safety for bicyclists and pedestrians and upgrade Winnemac Park and other parks are getting underway this summer. Since taking office in 2019, Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th) has used community-driven zoning, participatory budgeting and resources like the 2019 master plan for Lincoln Square to help inform his office’s agenda, which includes the creation of the Ainslie

Welles Park Concert Series Kicks Off Tuesday With Porchlight Music Theatre

Block Club Chicago / by Leen Yassine / June 11, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Welles Park’s beloved summer concert series, “Tuesdays at the Gazebo,” is back this summer with nine shows through Aug. 20. Tuesdays at the Gazebo kicks off 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Welles Park, 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., with Porchlight Music Theatre’s Broadway in your Backyard. Now in its fourth year, the Porchlight performance is a 60-minute concert featuring “hidden gems from the Broadway canon.” The show, co-directed by Frankie Leo

Outdoor dining in Chicago: 20 of the best rooftops, patios for summer

NBC5 Chicago / June 10, 2024 When warmer weather finally arrives in Chicago, outdoor dining becomes a must, and the city offers plenty of options to enjoy summer fun. Below is a list of 20 terraces, rooftops, and patios that pair delicious cuisine with breathtaking views this season. Read More Here  

Queer-owned Edgewater Candles donating portion of pride candle sales to LGBTQ+ crisis hotline

ABC7 Eyewitness News / by Jasmine Minor / June 4, 2024 CHICAGO (WLS) -- Queer-owned Edgewater Candles is celebrating their eighth birthday as a company, and kicking off Pride Month by putting mental health for LGBTIA+ youth at the forefront. The company has created more than 100 different labels, each one representing a different Chicago neighborhood, as well as a special label that, while debuting during Pride Month, will be available year round. "We're always gay," said co-owner Mark Towns. "We're not

Mayor Brandon Johnson announces plan to test free sidewalk shoveling in four parts of Chicago

CBS Chicago / by Todd Feurer / June 2, 2024 CHICAGO (CBS) -- Mayor Brandon Johnson announced a plan on Friday to test whether the city should take over responsibility for shoveling Chicago's sidewalks during winter storms. The Johnson administration is recommending the City Council approve $1.1 million to $3.5 million in funding for a "Plow The Sidewalks" pilot program in four areas of the city during the winter of 2025-26. The City Council would be asked to vote on the pilot program as part of the

Lincoln Square shop supports disabled adults through store sales

WGN9-Chicago News / by Gaynor Hall, Gabriel Castillo / June 2, 2024 CHICAGO — Spending money at a North Side store pays off for a nonprofit supporting people with intellectual disabilities. At the Planet Access store in Lincoln Square, customers can buy a range of clothing, gifts and home goods, along with artwork created by people with disabilities. “Every sale at Planet Access provides profits that come back to search and help strengthen our mission-based programs,” Search Inc. CEO Cory Gumm said. Read

Ravenswood’s New Cuban and Filipino Diner Serves Lumpia and Cubano Breakfast Burritos

Eater Chicago / by Ashok Selvam / May 30, 2024 Raquel Quadreny says her restaurant, Bayan Ko — the Cuban and Filipino hybrid in Ravenswood— has always offered “diner hospitality,” despite not being a diner and serving only dinner. “We’re just a very wholesome place, welcoming and very focused on being a neighborhood spot,” Quadreny says. That’s one of the reasons that Quadreny and her husband, chef Lawrence Letrero, naturally gravitated toward opening a diner a few doors down from their original

The Best Rooftop Bars in Chicago

Insidehook / by Amanda Topper / May 7, 2024 Any Chicagoan knows our warm weather days are numbered, which means you have to take advantage of the city’s best spots for soaking up the sun and the scenery. Many of the Chicago’s top hotels feature rooftop terraces with a front row seat to the skyline and the best people watching in town. Plus, there are plenty of neighborhood hangs with casual outdoor lounges to relax and savor a pre-dinner dram. Whether it’s a glimpse of the Loop, River North or the Chicago

How Dovetail Brewery Uses Engineer-like Precision to Master Neglected Beers – While Serving Them in

WTTW-Playlist / by Daniel Hautzinger / May 21, 2024 You probably think there’s only a couple ways to serve a beer: fresh from a keg or cask, or out of a can or bottle. But the meticulous minds behind Dovetail Brewery in North Center are eager to show you not only a variety of engaging methods of drinking from around the world, but also to ensure the neglected beers they're serving you are as fine-tuned to their own sense of a great beer as possible. During the winter, you can enjoy a frothy beer there

Memorial Day holiday weekend marinating and grilling tips from Lincoln Square spice shop

Square Roots Fest Announces Headliners X, The New Pornographers And Big Star Quintet

Block Club Chicago / by Leen Yassine / June 4, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — The craft beer and music showcase Square Roots Festival is coming back to Lincoln Square this summer, and organizers announced this year’s headliners Tuesday. Held by the Lincoln Square Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce and the Old Town School of Folk Music, the popular three-day street festival kicks off 5 p.m. July 12 and runs through July 14, with live music, family fun, local restaurants, vendors and a craft beer showcase. This year’s

Lincoln Square Neighbors, Commuters Get Ready For Western Brown Line Construction This Summer

Block Club Chicago / by Alex V. Hernandez / June 4, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Renovations to the Western Brown Line stop will impact commuters and neighbors this summer with work expected to continue into next year, officials said. The nearly $20 million renovation of the public transit hub in the heart of Lincoln Square was announced in 2022. The completed project will have new bus boarding island and canopy structure, refinished floors and interior walls, new elevator cabs and a repaired concrete platform,

Meet Chicago’s only Black Michelin-star chef

by Amber Gibson / The Tribe / April 25, 2024He moved to Chicago a little more than a year ago, but chef Christian Hunter has taken the city by storm, earning a Michelin star for his restaurant Atelier, receiving the Young Chef Award from the Michelin Guide along with a James Beard semi-finalist nomination, and being named one of Chicago Magazine’s best new restaurants. Hunter is currently the only Black chef in Chicago with a Michelin star, and one of only two Black chefs in the country with the

Lincoln Square Farmers Market offers locally-grown produce twice a week throughout summer

ABC7 Eyewitness News / April 27, 2024 CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Lincoln Square Farmers Market kicks off for the 2024 season with two markets available on Tuesdays from 7 a.m. to noon (until November 19th) and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. (through October) at 4513 N Lincoln Avenue.   Located in the heart of Lincoln Square, local farmers, artisans, and food purveyors will connect with the community all season long. In June, the Summer Concert Series, Lincoln Square's favorite free summer event, will return

Café Selmarie’s Final Day In Lincoln Square Will Be April 27

by Alex Hernandez / Block Club Chicago / April 19, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Lincoln Square’s beloved Café Selmarie will close for good April 27, retiring owner Birgit Kobayashi said.  Kobayashi announced in September she planned to retire and close her popular restaurant in Giddings Plaza in early 2024 to begin a “new chapter.” There’s been a few delays, but Café Selmarie’s final day is now set for 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 27. The restaurant will have a limited breakfast and lunch menu and seating will be on a

5 New Restaurants In Lincoln Square, Ravenswood And North Center

by Alex Hernandez / Block Club Chicago / April 18, 2024 LINCOLN SQUARE — Two restaurants, a bar, a bakery and a coffee shop have recently opened in Lincoln Square, North Center and Ravenswood.  The openings come on the heels of longtime favorite Spoon Thai closing for good after serving customers in Lincoln Square for about 20 years.  Customer Deb Doetzer dropped by Spoon Thai on its last day Tuesday to pick up a take-out order, sad that after two decades, the restaurant would be no more. Read More Here

These 8 Projects Aim To Better Protect Pedestrians, Cyclists In Lincoln Square, North Center

by Alex Hernandez | Block Club Chicago | April 12,2024 NORTH CENTER — Construction in Lincoln Square and North Center this summer aimed at improving street safety for cyclists and pedestrians will include a refurbishing of Giddings Plaza, a new Ravenswood Avenue Greenway and a redesigned Leavitt Street cul-de-sac for cyclists riding through Lincoln Square. Ald. Matt Martin (47th) has pushed for modernizing city streets to make them safer for people walking or riding their bikes and to curb aggressive