Evanston RoundTable
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In just two short weeks, there has been no shortage of local business news for the new year.
Affordable grocery chain Aldi is considering a location that comes with parking complications, two new businesses plan to open at the Aux in the spring, and another few unique stores have closed their doors.
Check out all the business changes the RoundTable has spotted these last few weeks.
The affordable grocery chain, which has a store at 2211 Oakton St., is considering leasing 2722 Green Bay Road, a building left vacant by Office Depot, which closed this fall.
According to the ODP Corp., which owns Office Depot and OfficeMax, the company’s sales were down 10% in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the second quarter of 2023.
Aldi, which has had its Oakton location since February 2010, did not respond to a request for comment.
A Dec. 11 city meeting regarding the potential new Aldi location welcomed neighbors who live on Prairie Avenue to discuss potential parking impacts in the neighborhood. The neighbors have called the available parking lot “inadequate” for Aldi.
The Central Street neighbors association shared a meeting invitation on Facebook last month.
The included parking design on the invitation shows expanded designated parking spots on Jenks Street. A parking analysis was completed by Illinois-based Manhard Consulting, a civil engineering and surveying firm.
Some residents have shared concerns about the move, such as parking along Jenks Street, delivery trucks from the nearby Whole Foods amplifying the congestion, and further congestion created by Northwestern University sporting events.
The popular Atlanta-based smoothie and cafe chain Tropical Smoothie Cafe is expected to open in July at the now remodeled Varsity Theater, 1710 Sherman Ave.
The Varsity, the aptly named remodeled theater-turned-apartments, opened to residents this fall. Also set to open in the building is Guzman y Gomez, a fast-casual Mexican food chain from Australia.
Patrons of the new-to-Evanston smoothie stop can expect “fresh, made to order smoothies, smoothie bowls, and more, packed with responsibly sourced, quality ingredients and good vibes,” according to Tropical Smoothie Cafe’s website.
The franchise applied for a building permit, which is still pending staff review, on Dec. 31. It has also already applied for a food establishment license, which is pending the building permit issuance.
The franchise owner, Cesar Coronado, already owns seven Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations in Chicago and has plans to continue expanding his reach, according to a report from The Daily.
Two businesses at The Aux — the commercial business spot at 2223 Washington St. centered on Black-owned business and racial equality — are on their way to opening this spring.
The Laundry Cafe, run by co-owners Tosha Wilson and her cousin Jacqui White, plans to open in March or April.
Wilson, also a co-founder of The Aux, told the RoundTable that equipment is being installed this week, and they are hoping for a March 21 opening date.
The laundry spot will be a welcome amenity in Evanston after both Good News Laundry, 817 Noyes St., and Bib ‘n’ Tucker, 801 Main St., closed last year, leaving just a few local laundromats remaining.
Besides laundry, the cafe will offer coffee, tea, espresso, refreshers and little bites.
There’s another food establishment coming to The Aux, too. Chicky’s Kitchen Creations announced its move to The Aux in November with an expected opening date of March 1.
“Joining The Aux is an incredible opportunity to build a legacy that extends beyond Chicky’s Kitchen Creations,” chef and founder Nicole Henry said in a Facebook post. “I’m honored to be a part of this project alongside other inspiring women.”
The catering company offers food for gatherings large and small and for a variety of dietary needs.
Evanston’s Giordano’s Pizza, 1527 Chicago Ave., closed early last week, according to an employee at the Morton Grove location.
The phone number listed online for the Evanston establishment redirects to the Morton Grove location, the nearest spot Evanstonians can grab a slice of Giordano’s pies.
“We’ve made the decision not to continue our lease,” the company said in a reply on X.
This location also briefly closed 10 years ago after, as The Daily reported, the company accused building and franchise owner Ted Mavrakis of violating franchise agreements.
The franchise agreement was terminated in 2015, and the restaurant reopened shortly after under new management, said Mavrakis, who still owns the building.
The retail home goods store and flower arrangement shop Maison du Prince — named for owner, designer, stylist, event planner and “floral and decor guru” Ramsey Prince — is ceasing operations at its retail location.
“We’re playing around with either at the very end of January or right after Valentine’s Day,” Prince said regarding a closing date.
The store’s lease is up on March 1, and Prince said business had been too poor to renew.
“I don’t think it’s Evanston specific,” Prince said. “I think that the current economic climate is really tough for retail right now, you know. People are just buying stuff online, especially home goods.”
Prince founded the store in 2020 and has been at the 1239 Chicago Ave. location for about a year and a half, he said.
He said that right now he thinks many people “come in and use the store as sort of a resource to get ideas and say, ‘Oh, this is beautiful.’ But then they probably just go home and try to buy it on Amazon.”
The store’s inventory is priced low right now ahead of the closure, with 30%-50% off storewide, according to its website.
Another unique goods store, this one further north, is also offering major discounts ahead of its closure.
Then Again Boutique — 2016 Central St., open on Wednesday and Saturday from “noonish to 5:00 pm” — will close its doors on Jan. 25, according to recent social media posts.
The store offers clothing, jewelry, art and, right now, even store fixtures. Patrons can expect 50%-70% off their purchases until the closure.
The e-gaming concept Belong Gaming, previously reported by the RoundTable as potentially opening in the former Buffalo Wild Wings site at 1741 Maple Ave., is no more.
The United Kingdom based company ceased U.S. operations entirely in 2023, according to a report published that summer.
The site expected to house Belong Gaming now belongs to Cozy’s Noodles and Rice. The business ceased operations at its 1018 Davis St. location in September but reopened as Cozy Thai at the Church Street Plaza location.
This new location was closed during the holidays but could be opening as early as Jan. 24, according to its website.
And what jumped into that 1018 Davis St. spot this fall? None other than Thai food and sushi restaurant Dozika, previously at 601 Dempster St.
Editor’s note: This story has updated to revise details concerning Aldi and note that the company did not respond to a request for comment.
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Margo Milanowski is a staff reporter at the RoundTable. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in 2022 with a degree in journalism. She also pursued a minor in Environmental… More by Margo Milanowski
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The Evanston RoundTable is the community’s leading source of news about local government, schools, civic and artistic activities, and other important issues facing our city. We seek to foster civic engagement and empower people to address complex issues facing our diverse community, promoting a better understanding and appreciation of people of all races, ethnicities, and income levels.
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Evanston, Illinois 60201
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