South Loop Connection Top Posts Of 2011

2011 Brings New Businesses The South Loop
2011 was a pretty exciting year for South Loop Connection and the South Loop. SLC went over 100,000 page views this year, now averaging over 7,000 reads per month. After seeing many businesses fail in the neighborhood last year, there seemed to be a resurgence of new business openings in 2011. The businesses receiving the most attention were restaurants. Just about any post having to do with food jumped to the top of the leader board.

The list that follows includes the top-ten SLC posts for 2011. You’ll notice that all but one of the posts have to do with food or new restaurant openings.

Number 10—New Restaurant to Open at 1355 S. Michigan. On October 14, 2011, a sign went up announcing the opening of a new restaurant: Alain’s opening in the space formerly occupied by Entourage Men.

Number 9—Bear’s Defensive Tackle to Open Restaurant in South Loop. Later in October, we learned that the Bears’s Israel Idonije was partnering with chef Alain Njike to open “Alain’s” at 1355 S. Michigan Ave.

Number 8—Are You “Underemployed?” The only non-food related post to make the top-ten, focused on a new MTV show centered around recent college graduates trying to make it on their own.

Number 7—Opening Date for Waffles: August 10. 2011. The new South Loop breakfast and lunch spot had announced several opening dates, all of which attracted a lot of attention.

Number 6—Scout’s Honor: The Scout’s Grand Opening is Set For August 19th and 20th. Like Waffles, The Scout had announced several opening dates. Blog posts on this new sports bar in the old Opera space attracted a lot of reads.

Number 5—New Restaurant to Open at 1400 S. Michigan. In June, a sign went up announcing that “Waffles” was opening soon, attracting over 590 reads.

Number 4—On Target: The Burger Point. On October 28, we went to this new burger restaurant at 1900 S. State St. during their soft opening. The place was packed and we spent some time meeting co-founder Asha Mathew. More than 650 readers were interested in this new South Loop eatery.

Number 3—The Scout Waterhouse & Kitchen: One Cool Space. In May, we had the opportunity to go to a press preview of The Scout. Owner Chris Bravos gave us a tour and pointed out design details throughout. It really did turn out to be one cool space, with over 670 readers in agreement.

Customers wait outside of Waffles

Number 2—Cupcake Wars Chicago Style. You almost would have to be living under a rock if you didn’t notice the recent proliferation of food trucks in Chicago. This post featured several cupcake trucks selling their bakery creations all around the city. After this blog, GiGi’s Bake Shop and the “purple bus” became a South Loop staple.

Number 1—“Waffles” to Open Late June. Waffles eventually opened in August, but this June announcement garnered over 1,650 reads.

Thank you for your support in 2011. We hope 2012 brings more good things to the South Loop. What South Loop post was your favorite?