According to the @BlockClubCHI article, TJ's claims it is not confirmed yet. Although you typically don't go through the process of applying for a liquor license (even for selling) in the city of Chicago unless you have some sort of plans already.

Looks like this opened, buuuuut appears it's private to only JPMC employees. So basically McDonald's was kicked out (presumably) so employees wouldn't lose their Starbucks while the entire lobby of Chase Tower is renovated and changed to being private to employees too.

Sucks to see it closed although @BlockClubCHI conveniently left out that a new restaurant/bar called Soccer House is taking over the space already.

Sign permit applied for today. Hopefully this opens in the next month or 2.

The closest TJ's to this is just over 2 miles away in Lakeview at 3475 N Lincoln Ave.

Good news Uptown (Chicago). You're getting a Trader Joe's!. At 804 W Montrose Ave, the site of the former Vegan market "XMarket" which closed on November 3 last year (9 months ago). 10 minute walk to the Wilson Red Line stop too. The Andersonville TJ's plans fizzled 2 years ago.

Call the SWAT team. It's the 90s again.

Of some note. 2025 for Near North Side is higher than 2014 but lower than 2019. The Loop is higher in 2025 than both 2019 and 2014, though has had a big decline vs 2024. Lakeview and West Town both higher in 2025 than 2019 but lower than 2014.

Here's how 2025 thru July 31 is vs 2024, 2019, and 2014. - 2025 vs 2024: 59 areas lower, 3 the same, 15 higher. - 2025 vs 2019: 48 areas lower, 3 the same, 26 higher. - 2025 vs 2014: 59 areas lower, 3 the same, 15 higher.

Chicago Robbery Victims for 2025 vs 2019 and 2025 vs 2014 Thru July 31st, by Community Area. * Green = 2025 had less victims vs indicated year for the area. * Red = 2025 had more victims vs indicated year for the area. * Blue = 2025 had the same number vs indicated year for area

Now open.

Confirmed that Panda Express is also coming to the same building, at 360 N Michigan Ave.

Augusta*** jfc.

Lincoln Square wine shop August Food & Wine is opening a wine bar that'll apparently have live jazz next door. Called Augusta on Premise. Pretty sure it'll take up 2 of the commercial spaces next door which have been vacant. "Coming Soon".2314 W Leland Ave.

Now open in West Town as of 2 days ago.

Pretty sure the 2nd Crave Cookies in Chicago will be coming to 28 N Michigan Ave across from Millennium Park/The Bean in The Loop. Only one in the city is in Lakeview East. 5 are in the suburbs. Stay tuned to see if I'm right about this.

First ever Chicago boutique **.

Akris opened its first ever boutique in June on Oak St. They built a structure around it to help preserve the building better. Their US boutiques are NYC, Chicago, DC, Boston, Houston, Dallas, Atlanta, Bal Harbour, and Palm Beach. They're also in Paris, London, Tokyo, Monaco, etc

And here is carjacking rate, which is a subset of robbery. Lowest rate so far since 2015 and overall the 5th lowest rate since 2010 so far (very close to being 4th lowest). The rate in 2019 was 5.4% higher than 2025.

7 months in the books now. How Chicago's violent crime is so far?. * Overall violent crime victimizations: Lowest since 2015. 3rd lowest since 2010 - almost 2nd lowest. * Murder: Lowest since 2014. 3rd lowest since 2010 - almost 2nd lowest. * Robbery: Lowest since at least 2010