Chicago restaurants and businesses that have closed in 2024
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Chicago has seen many businesses shutter so far this year, as labor and other costs remain high and consumer habits change.
Why it matters: Many of these spots carry memories and meaning for our communities.
Here are some of the closings from August and September:
No more wings and nachos: Wicker Park sports bar The Fifty/50 shuttered its doors last month. The restaurant was a mainstay for sports fans and bar food lovers for 15 years and helped reshape Division Street west of Damen Avenue.
Pre-theater dinners won't be the same: Catch 35 announced it is closing up shop later this month. The seafood restaurant opened 35 years ago in the lobby of the Leo Burnett building and was a preferred destination for folks attending shows at the Chicago Theatre and on Randolph Street.
We hardly knew ye: The folks behind Smoque BBQ closed their 2023 addition Smoque Steak in Avondale. It operated for just over a year but offered a welcome twist on the typical steakhouse with a smoky cut of beef. The Elston Avenue location is now a catering and events space.
Japanese culture continues to fade in Wrigleyville: Founded in 1978 by Aikido master Fumio Toyoda, the Japanese Culture Center on Belmont offered classes in martial arts, flower arranging and other Japanese arts, representing one of the last touchstones of Lakeview's Japanese-American past.
- What's next: Many of the programs will now be offered in a new location at 2940 N. Lincoln, home of the old Midwest Aikido Center.
Not closing up, but cashing out: Famed restaurateur Nick Kokonas announced he sold his ownership stake in the Alinea Group, which includes Alinea, Next, The Aviary and more. He will still have a minority stake in Alinea, but he is going to be focusing on new projects moving forward.
Cesar's kills its old social media: Reps for Lakeview's Cesar's Home of the Killer Margarita tell Axios their socials were hacked and Meta did little to help.
- So they've started fresh and want killer margarita fans to learn about their "real" new specials on Instagram @cesarskillermargaritas.
This stretch is big enough for two Aldis: For years, Lincoln Park has hosted two Aldi stores on Clybourn a little over a mile apart.
- By the end of the month, the one beneath a Trader Joe's near Sheffield will close, leaving the location near Wrightwood and Menards to claim survival victory.
Other notable closings: Houlihan's in Naperville, BopNGrill in Lakeview, Fig & Olive on Oak Street, Salsa Picante in Ukrainian Village and Jack & Ginger's in Bucktown.
June/July
Closures this summer littered the suburbs, with the biggest being the untimely end of Cozy Corner in Oak Park.
- The cafe had been around for 65 years and was an anchor in the western suburban community.
- Evanston also had a rough month: Lao Sze Chuan, Fonda Cantina and Cozy Noodles & Rice all called it quits.
A permanent pit stop: Nick's Pit Stop in Bucktown was a neighborhood favorite for all things chicken. The family-run spot was open for 27 years, the last decade on Damen Avenue. Owners cited rising rents as the reason for the closure.
The last ride: La Gondola closed up shop on North Ashland in Lakeview. The red sauce Italian spot was a neighborhood favorite for over 40 years.
Tickets, please: ShowPlace Icon in the South Loop shocked movie-goers in late June by announcing its closure. The theater was a mainstay for South Siders. There have been rumors of it being replaced, but nothing has been announced yet.
Other closures included Yolk in Bucktown, Select Cut Steakhouse in Lakeview, BadaBing Wings in Uptown, Blaze Pizza on Belmont Avenue and Marty's Martini in Andersonville, which changed ownership and will reopen nearby.
May/June
No longer Underground: Billy Dec's nightclub was the premier spot for after-hours dancing and cocktails when it opened in 2007. But Dec moved to Nashville and has opened a new club there, leaving behind this River North spot. It will become a private event space.
R.I.P. chicken nachos: Another River North staple, Hub 51, is closing. The Lettuce Entertain You upscale bar and restaurant lasted 16 years on Hubbard Street. It was one of the first restaurants helmed by the Melman sons, following in their father Rich Melman's footsteps. Hub 51 will make way for two new concepts from the giant restaurant group.
Gone before it even began: Lakeview neighbors banded together to stop a controversial male strip club from taking over the Berlin space on Belmont Avenue. Instead, an LGBTQ+ cocktail bar may take the space.
Other restaurant closings included Sam & Gertie's in Uptown, Lagunitas Taproom in North Lawndale and Jeni's Ice Cream in the Foxtrot building on Armitage in Lincoln Park.
April/May
The biggest impact: The sudden implosion of Foxtrot and Dom's. The two boutique grocers merged in 2023 but, just months later, closed all 17 stores in our area.
- The closings have caused upheaval for local vendors and customers, even though the Tribune suggested the company's demise was no big deal.
Nostalgia pick: The Scottish pub Duke of Perth had been a mainstay near Diversey and Clark for 35 years, serving up fish and chips and bangers and mash. It abruptly closed, but it isn't going out of business. The pub is moving around the corner into the old Renaldi's Pizza location on Broadway.
- Also, Spoon Thai in Lincoln Square shuttered in April after the landlord allegedly didn't renew its lease. The popular Thai restaurant had been on Western Avenue since 2003.
No, not the cheddar biscuits! This week, Red Lobster announced more nationwide closings, including two in Illinois. The closest to Chicago is in Bloomingdale.
Other notable closings include En Hakkore in Bucktown, Casati's in Lincoln Park, Testaccio and Don Bucio's in Logan Square, Ørkenoy Brewery in Humboldt Park and Lunchbox in Edgewater, which had a fire in the kitchen the night before the scheduled opening. They vow to reopen.
March/April
Uncle Julio's: Uncle Julio's has been a fixture at North and Clybourn since 1992, but its abrupt closing drew the ire of employees and customers.
- Block Club reported the owners allegedly had issues paying rent since COVID and have offered to relocate employees to suburban locations.
Smith & Wollensky: A fire has sidelined downtown's premiere steakhouse. It remains closed with no word on when it will reopen.
Branko's Sandwich Shop: The DePaul University mainstay was a go-to lunch spot for cheap eats with a neighborhood feel for almost 50 years. The owners closed the shop temporarily during COVID but reopened in 2022.
Don Pablo's: Don Pablo's Kitchen and Bakeshop has left Asia on Argyle, taking its empanadas to a suburban crowd, relocating to Wilmette.
Selmarie Cafe: They may finally have a closing date. The owners announced they will stay open through April.
Other notable closings: Extraordinarium in Logan Square, and Don Bucio's in Logan Square and Inspired Boutique in Edgebrook.
February/March
Parachute: Beverly Kim and Johnny Clark's award-winning Parachute helped create a new neighborhood dining scene when it opened in 2014. As the owners prepare for their final day on March 23, they say they're looking to open something in a different location.
Grammar: The closing of the School House building's restaurant and coffee shop on Orleans Street comes after its neighbor Architectural Artifacts announced it is relocating to Texas. The restaurant was part of the renovation of the old Catholic elementary school, which included the antiques shop and a pickleball court.
80 Proof: This Wells Street brunch and nightlife spot brought a huge boost to the sleepy neighborhood when it opened. The bar, a partnership with Hogsalt, shut down in February.
Asrai Garden: The popular Wicker Park florist and anchor in the Flatiron Arts Building is closing up shop after 25 years. They join several other building storefronts that have closed, including Santullo's and Debonair Social Club.
Zoom out: Watch for some suburban shuffle.
- Bella Via is closing Highland Park, although they've announced they will open somewhere else soon. After 40+ years in Northbrook, the Next Door Bistro served its last carafe in February.
- Fine dining sensation George Trois in Winnetka closed, but next door Aboyer has taken over the space.
Other notable closings: Crio in Lincoln Park, Jibaritos in Lincoln Park, Bongo Room in Andersonville, Dolci Amori in Wicker Park and Lakeview, WoodWind in Streeterville and Caffe Streets on Division Street, Spicy Fingers in West Town and many more.
January/February
Architectural Artifacts: The famed antique store is closing after 37 years in the city. Antiques dealer and store owner Stuart Grannen is responsible for saving countless pieces of Chicago history. The antique emoporium will close in April and relocate to Texas.
Jade Court: The neighborhood gem in Hyde Park is leaving Feb. 29. Known as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the city, it has anchored the revitalized Harper Court off 53rd street since 2020.
Big Kids: The popular Logan Square restaurant shut down after three years.
Macy's famous candy department shut down in the basement of their flagship (and last remaining) store in Chicago. The store said they'll continue to sell Frango Mints, though.
Semicolon: The bookstore at Grand and Halsted closed, but only for six months. The owner says she's relocating to East Garfield Park.
Luella's Southern Kitchen in Lincoln Square: Heralded as one of the best spots in the city, chef Darnell Reed told Eater Chicago he's moving on once the lease is up in October. He's hoping to spend more time with family and focus on a new brunch concept.
- Same goes for Archie's Cafe in Rogers Park. Loyola Chicago bought the building and the neighborhood favorite will close this summer.
Cafe Selmarie: The Lincoln Square cafe announced it was closing in December, but it's pushed back the closing date until the end of February.
Other restaurants: Etta, El Hefe and Marchesa in River North; The Pritzker Military Museum in the Loop; Big & Little's on Belmont; Bluebird in Portage Park; Provisions Uptown; Mango Pickle in Edgewater; Siam Rice in the South Loop; Broken English in Lincoln Park; and Passion House in Logan Square.
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