South Loop becoming craft beer mecca

In a recent article posted to the WTTW Web site, the South Loop is carving out a new identity as the home of craft beer breweries. We know about Vice District at 1454 S. Michigan, which opened last fall, but two other breweries are opening soon.

Motor Row Brewing, 2337 S. Michigan Ave., is set to open this month and Baderbräu Brewing Company, 2515 S. Wabash Ave., should open this summer. With Motor Row and Baderbräun opening south of Cermak, it might help spur development that has been stalled in that area for years.

Chicago Auto Show in town through Monday

The 106th edition of the Chicago Auto Show is in town until Monday, President’s Day. Visiting all the car booths, sitting inside your dream car for a photo, what could be more fun? The show opens daily at 10 a.m. and closes at 10 p.m. Saturday and Sunday and at 8 p.m. on Monday. You can purchase tickets online by clicking here. There is no surcharge when ordering from DriveChicago.

Check out some of our favorite images from the show.

This classic 1965 Mustang was the very first convertible version sold and it was
sold to a woman right here in Illinois! The same woman still owns it and the car
travels from show to show. And check out the pinball machines in the background.
Mustang pinball machines manufactured by Stern Pinball in Melrose Park.

This Cadillac concept car is a real show-stopper.

The grand concourse, teeming with car enthusiasts, between the North and South Halls

There is nothing more American than a Chevy Corvette.

Do you know where this logo is? We wonder if the Ford folks at the Auto Show realize
it is within walking distance of McCormick Place.

Coming Soon: Sod Room at 1454 S. Michigan Ave.

Have no fear, Sod Room (formerly called Sprout Playroom) at 1454 S. Michigan Ave. will open soon. The unique playroom on the second floor of the old Buick building has faced some challenges. Opening any new business is a challenge for sure. But when you’re renovating a building that is architecturally and historically significant, that adds a whole new layer of challenges.

The Buick Building, which was completed in 1906, was home to the first Buick dealership in Chicago and part of its famed Motor Row. The Buick shield and logo are clearly visible on the building’s façade. But husband and wife owners Abdón and Cynthia Valenciana promise they’ll “soon” be open. I visited with the couple this week and they’re feverishly working on the finishing touches.

The Slide a Sod Room

To make the Sod Room a safe environment for young children required a lot of special construction, not to mention applying for city permits and passing the required inspections. What is taking shape, is a play space for children ages 0-6. Almost everything in the space is made from repurposed materials, all of which are environmentally friendly. Cynthia expects to host a lot of birthday parties—the space includes a party room—and she’s gotten lots of inquiries and requests for reservations. She also wants the space to be a place for parental workshops and classes, including a prenatal classes for new parents. But the space is a wonderland for kids. A two-level play area with a slide is the room’s major feature and sure to be popular.

To stay on top of their grand opening, follow Sod Room on Twitter and like them on Facebook. We’ll keep you posted here with any new developments.

Leftover hardwood samples make for a fine floor in the party room

Glessner House Museum To Host Vintage Car Show

Glessner House Museum, located at 1800 S. Prairie Avenue in Chicago’s South Loop neighborhood, will host a vintage car show on Sunday June 24, 2012 from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Classic cars from 1910 - 1936 will be featured.

The invitational car show will feature eighteen automobiles from the period 1910 to 1936, displayed on the restored 1890s streetscape of the Prairie Avenue Historic District. In addition to the show, attendees can participate in walking tours of the nearby Motor Row Historic District along Michigan Avenue, home to dozens of auto dealerships in the early 1900s.

Glessner House Museum, celebrating its 125th anniversary in 2012, is a National Historic Landmark and the last surviving work by H. H. Richardson in Chicago. Completed in 1887, the museum is recognized nationwide for its groundbreaking architecture as well as its important decorative arts collection.

The event is free of charge. Parking is available in a lot at the northeast corner of Prairie Avenue and Cullerton Street. The museum is easily accessible by taking the #3 or #4 bus south on Michigan Avenue to 18th Street, and then walking 2 blocks east. 

For more information, call 312.326.1480. You can like Glessner House Museum on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Around the South Loop: 2011 Volume 3

No Parking
It was an interesting week, even though the Bears didn't make it to the Super Bowl. There was lots of activity surrounding the game here in the South Loop, especially on Wabash Ave., where flatbed trucks were towing cars at a brisk pace. It begs the question, who are these people that park on Wabash during the game? Are they from the suburbs? Are they unable to read the signs posted everywhere? Do they think they won't get towed because they're special? Well, as the photo below illustrates, the tow truck man is no respecter of persons.

Don't park here: Why do Bears fans continue to park on Wabash during home games?

Good-bye South Loop Wine Cellar
Another small business closed its doors in the South Loop. Many may have noticed that the South Loop Wine Cellar hasn't been open since before the December holidays. I was hoping things would improve and owner/operator Amy Garman would be able to stay open, but it wasn't meant to be. I visited the shop many times and attended numerous events there as well. Amy was someone I enjoyed knowing as a local merchant. She contributed several posts on wine to the South Loop Connection, which are still very popular. I wish Amy the best.

I'm sorry that South Loop Wine Cellar is no more.

Car Capital
During the early years of the 20th century, the South Loop was famous for it's many car dealerships and businesses related to the automobile industry. So famous that the area was nicknamed Motor Row. Michigan Ave. was one of the smoothest roads in America at the time and perfect for taking that new coupe out for a test drive. The Buick building, built in 1906, at 1454 S. Michigan was the first Buick dealership in Chicago. For many months it was home to the sales offices of the Marquee and Terrazio condo developments. Just recently, the banner covering the Buick shield came down.

The Buick building was built in 1906.

Art in the Everyday
When I walk around the South Loop, it's interesting to see utilitarian structures take on intriguing shapes and shadows. Even the L tracks above our heads can become works of art. When the light is shining just right, even rusty old steel beams look great.

The L tracks above Wabash Ave.

And the Oscar (nomination) Goes To...
One of the great things about living in a city like Chicago is you don't miss out on anything, even when you're walking to work in the morning. Where else can you see the Academy Award nominations on your commute to the office and on a jumbo screen no less?

The giant screen at CBS on Washington and Dearborn

Perfectly Centered
Remember the picture of the white clock in the lobby of the Chicago Hilton and Towers? During the holidays, it was replaced by a Christmas tree. After the New Year, they put the clock back, but it wasn't centered on the rug and it kind of drove me crazy. Someone from the Hilton read my blog post and had it fixed. See, people do read the stuff I write!

The clock in the Chicago Hilton and Towers lobby is "right" on the carpet.