Here’s The Latest

  • How it All Began Part 3

    How it All Began Part 3

    Through my old contact, Steve Ranis (Sam’s son) I learned of a printer that was looking to retire but still had a lengthy lease. I agreed to assume the lease and take over the equipment. The shop was over 5,000 sq. feet at 329 W. 18th Street in the South Loop area. This acquisition allowed…

  • How it All Began Part 2

    How it All Began Part 2

    Early in 1972, my cousin Sam Bianchi called to tell me of     a friend of his (Joe Rossi) that worked the night shift in his full-time position for Hall Printing, where they printed magazines and books. Joe was looking for a kid to come in  a couple of times a week to clean up his…

  • How it All Began Part 1

    How it All Began Part 1

    Editor:  This is a printer’s story of how he started out his carreer and business in Printers Row.  With tenacity and faith in God, he survived the ups and downs of the printing business, and the change in technology to celebrate his 50th Anniversary in 2022.  In his own words How it All Began First,…

  • ZBA approves residential conversion at 739 S. Clark; The office space will become 68 residential units

    ZBA approves residential conversion at 739 S. Clark; The office space will become 68 residential units

    April 09, 2024, Lukas Kugler , Urbanize   The Zoning Board of Appeals has approved a set of variances for the planned office to residential conversion at 739 S. Clark. Planned by CMK Companies, the existing office building was part of the Imprint development completed just before the COVID-19 pandemic. The three-story commercial building was…

  • necessary and sufficient Coffee

    necessary and sufficient Coffee

    Tropicake is at the Necessary and Sufficient Coffee at 728 S Dearborn.  Tropicake is there Mondays, Fridays and Sundays.  However, they are currently visiting the Philipines.  Will return April 4.                                     https://tropicakechicago.com/ As seen in the March 30, 2024 issue.

  • Construction has resumed on the building at 633 S. LaSalle

    Construction has resumed on the building at 633 S. LaSalle

    following a pause of several months during which new ownership and financing were arranged. The building, which was originally designed to be a co-living facility much like a college dorm for footloose tech workers, will now instead be a conventional apartment building.   A drugstore of some type has been approved at 717 S. Clark.…

  • Here’s What A New Sox Park In The South Loop Could Look Like

    Here’s What A New Sox Park In The South Loop Could Look Like

    The developer of a proposed Sox Park at Roosevelt and Clark released renderings of the a future ballpark.   by Block Club Chicago Staff SOUTH LOOP — A developer’s drawings of what a new Sox Park could look like in the South Loop’s The 78 megadevelopment show a glitzy ballpark surrounded by new buildings and…

  • DEVELOPMENT NEWS

    The Bears might be looking at the Soldier Field south parking lot as a site for a new stadium. The rumor was reported in early December, and the Bears and city have declined to comment. That land, however, is subject to the Public Trust Doctrine, meaning a private organization such as the Bears could not…

  • Chicago Public Schools Leaders Want To Move Away From School Choice

    Chicago Public Schools Leaders Want To Move Away From School Choice

    Chicago Public Schools Leaders Want To Move Away From School Choice The move puts in motion Mayor Brandon Johnson’s campaign promise to reinvigorate Chicago Public Schools’ neighborhood schools. by Reema Amin, Chalkbeat Chicago and Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat Chicago December 13, 2023 The Chicago school board is voting on a resolution this week to “transition away…

  • Born Again Consignment Parlor to Revamp as Unique Holiday Shop in December

    Born Again Consignment Parlor to Revamp as Unique Holiday Shop in December

    Located at 703 S Dearborn St, Born Again Consignment Parlor will re-open as a unique holiday shop on December 1.   The store, which carries gently-used modern, vintage, and novelty merchandise, will dedicate its entire ground floor to the holidays in December, featuring novelty gifts, stocking stuffers, ugly sweaters, winter coats, festive décor, and more!…