CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Bucktown and Wicker Park, Andersonville, Lincoln Square, Evanston

Lakeview: A new liquor store is hoping to occupy the space of a former clothing store on Halsted. Located at 2154 N. Halsted, the store has received mixed opinions from people in the area thus far. One local resident said she doesn’t believe this fits in in with the character of the community and feels the community doesn’t need a liquor store. Another resident said he believes this would be good for the area. Owner Bhupendra Patel hopes to go before the Zoning Board of Appeals sometime in the next week.

Lincoln Park: Theater on the Lake is opening an area for viewers to watch the Air and Water Show this weekend. Located at 2401 N. Lakeshore Drive, the theater is offering $10 tickets to watch the show from their Lakefront Green area. The $10 ticket guarantees reserved seating, access to bathrooms, and access to food and drink. There are two other ticket packages available. For $50, you can get 6 vouchers for beer and wine, as well as one that can be redeemed for food. The $75 all-inclusive package includes admission, beer, and wine, and one food voucher. The show is from 10 am to 5 pm this Saturday and Sunday.

Bucktown and Wicker Park: A developer is looking to bring a new 37-unit apartment complex to the border of Bucktown and Wicker Park. Conveniently located 2 blocks from the CTA Blue Line Western Station, the building is proposed to be 5 stories high. Michael Lerner, the owner of MCZ Development, has requested a new zoning designation to allow for the building at 1737-1741 N. Western Ave. The zoning is still under review. The apartments would include a mix of studio, one-bedrooms, and two-bedrooms, ranging from 420 to 66o square feet. Four apartments would be designated for affordable housing and another four would be accessible and accommodating for tenants who use wheelchairs.

Andersonville: A new food hall is coming to Wilson Avenue! Slated to open at 1325 W. Wilson, Beacon St. Market is “inspired by European markets of old, and the renaissance of modern market halls.” So far, restaurants include Budlong Hot Chicken, Norm’s Deli, and BBQ Supply Co. Budlong Hot Chicken has three Chicago locations already: Lincoln Square, Lincoln Park, and the Loop. Jared Leonard owns both Budlong Hot Chicken and BBQ Supply Co. Beacon St. Market will open next year, so mark your calendars now!

Lincoln Square: Baker Miller is a popular Lincoln Square bakery. This month it will be featuring two Mi Casa pop-up diners with traditional Mexican cuisine. Employee Yolanda Escoto-Unna and her mother came up with the idea. Escoto-Unna’s parents run a Mexico City catering company called Amodotradicional. They wanted to bring traditional food to Chicago in a way people haven’t tried before. Escoto-Unna says “The main idea, and what Amodotradicional has always tried to do, is to make people feel welcome and enjoy a relaxed meal, as if they were at our home (mi casa)”. The 5-course, BYOB meal is $45 per person. Held at Baker Miller, 4601 N Western Ave., you can attend on August 22. Buy your tickets here today, before they sell out!

Evanston: Summer may be winding down, but Chicagoans will hold outdoor activities for as long as possible. Get your outdoor movie fix this Saturday in Evanston. Starlight Movies in the Park will show Grease at 8 pm Saturday evening in Robert Crown Park. Interactive family friendly activities will take place before the movie begins from 7 to 8 pm. Admission is free! Movies will be cancelled in the case of inclement weather. Robert Crown Park is located at 1701 Main St.

RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO