CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS: Bucktown and Wicker Park, Lincoln Park, Lakeview, Logan Square, Edgewater, Oak Park
Bucktown and Wicker Park: Do you love to get a good sweat on? Do you imagine yourself as Rocky Balboa during your workouts? Title Boxing Club is the spot for you. The nationwide boxing franchise will be opening its first Wicker Park location later this summer. Located at 1355 N. Milwaukee Ave., this will be the fourth Chicago location, following the Lincoln Park, West Loop, and South Loop hubs. Equipment will include 54 punching bags, a boxing ring, free weights, and elliptical machines. The franchise is known for its group classes, boasting an 800 to 1,000 calorie burn per 60-minute class. Memberships are $149 monthly, or if you commit to a year, $119 per month. If you can’t wait to get your box on, check out more info on existing Chicago clubs here.
Lincoln Park: Oui Chef is coming to Lincoln Park in early March. Opening at 2622 N Halsted St., chef Laura Ragano is opening a professional space to teach children how to cook. She would like to run her classes in 12-14 week blocks for children anywhere from 1 1/2 years old to 18. For a weekly 75 minute class, the cost is $128 a month. She is also planning a weekly lunch class, where students will make and eat their own lunch creations. This class will be offered at $40. She plans to leave time open on Saturdays for birthday parties, but will close on Sundays. Find more information on the Oui Chef Chicago website.
Lakeview: With cooler temperatures this weekend, the third annual Frost Fest will be right at home. This fabulous craft beer festival will include the Brisk Brews tent and a whiskey lounge from Beam Suntory. Some of the represented breweries are Empirical Brewery, Goose Island, Brickstone Brewery, and Wild Onion Brewery. You can also attend the free Soup Walk, which extends into Lakeview East. From 1-5 pm on Sunday, the walk will include soups from 12 neighborhood restaurants. There are two tasting sessions for the craft beer fest on Saturday: 1-4 pm and 6-9 pm. Tickets are $35 and include 15 three-ounce tastings and a souvenir glass.
Logan Square: A new Mexican restaurant is coming to the happening Logan Square neighborhood. Spearheaded by acclaimed chef Diana Dávila, Mi Tocaya will be located at the corner of California Avenue and Logan Boulevard. The space at 2800 W. Logan Blvd. was formally occupied by Catalpa Kitchen. After clearing city inspections last week, the process drastically speeds up for Dávila from here. She hopes to open in the middle of March, including the gorgeous outdoor patio space. Over the next few weeks, Dávila will be bringing in local artists, including her brother, to paint murals all over the restaurant. Find more teasers about the restaurant on their Facebook page.
Edgewater: Demolition is scheduled to begin this week at the former Edgewater Medical Center campus. Developers estimate it will take about a month to tear down the first four-story building. MCZ Development is renovating the former hospital into a park. The first building to come down is located at 1619 W. Edgewater Ave. The neighboring building at 1621-25 W. Edgewater is currently undergoing asbestos removal and then will be demolished as well. Alderman Patrick O’Connor has been keeping residents updated on the process and will continue to do so.
Oak Park: This weekend is your last chance to catch Crimes of the Heart at Concordia University. Presented at the Madison Street Theatre, this warm-hearted play examines the lives of three young Mississippi sisters. Performances are Friday and Saturday evening at 7:30 pm and Sunday at 2 pm. General admission tickets are just $15; discounted tickets for seniors, students, and alumni are available. Get your tickets here!
RACHEL HOOVLER & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO
