Overflow Coffee Bar celebrates five years in the South Loop

Five years ago, Brandon and Amanda Neely wanted to start a business where making a profit wasn’t the top priority.

Check out the video below to learn more about Overflow and their unique business model and how that impacts their mission.

Overflow will officially celebrate their anniversary on April 2, 2016. For more information on this event, click here.

From Jazz to MTV?

Friday Jazz
August 5, 2011 will be the third Friday in a row that Donna’s Café will be showcasing jazz group The Randy Ford Trio. The trio attracted a large crowd both inside and outside last week, so we expect to see just as big a crowd this Friday. On Saturday, Donna’s was the setting for a different style of music.

The Randy Ford Trio at Donna's Cafe last Friday night

The Next R & B Star?
Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake, a young singer, performed in a music video in support of her new single “Woman’s Intuition.” The production team needed a café to shoot both inside and outside and Donna’s fit the bill. When we came upon the scene, they were filming on the patio with diners and passersby looking on. Check out the slide show below to get an idea of how the shoot went.

Tarnia Mcclinton-Lake emotes for the camera outside Donna's Cafe

""A Woman's Intuition""

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Alderman Bob Fioretti’s 2nd Ward Annual Town Hall Meeting Thursday July 28

The Annual Second Ward Town Hall meeting for the “East Region” is set for Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at South Loop Community Church, 1347 S. State St.

This annual meeting is an opportunity to learn about improvements in your area, to hear about upcoming projects in the ward, and to connect with City services.

To get the latest information on ward happenings, sign up for the Second Ward newsletter by clicking here.

The Alderman’s office is now located at 1319 S. State St. The office phone number is 312-263-9273.

Click here to download a flyer to post in your building.

GSLA Holds July “Neighbor’s Night Out” at Reggies Thursday July 21, 2011

The GSLA encourages you to join your neighbors for a fun night out at Reggies...on their rooftop deck! The event is Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission is $10, which gets you two drink tickets and food. Reggies is located at 2109 S. State St.

Reggies is a unique venue in the South Loop. It combines food and drink with great classic rock. Reggies Rock Bus is often seen out and about shuttling folks to and from some of Chicago’s most famous and iconic sports and concert venues. Reggies has a semi-private party space that can accommodate up to 80 people.

To download a flyer to post in your building or condo click here.

When is Donna's Cafe Opening? Soon We Hope.

It All Depends on What "Soon" Means
In the window of 1255E S. State St., is a sign that reads "Donna's Cafe Coming Soon!" Well, that sign has been there since at least June. Doesn't Donna know that it isn't fair to tease us so? Anytime we see or hear an announcement about a new place opening up, we get excited. I mean, how long was A' Cappela Bistro at 1301 S. Michigan "opening soon?"

How soon is "coming soon?"

Pita Corner Coming in August?
WineStyles is gone, but next door to it at 1250 S. Michigan Ave. there is a sign that says Pita Corner is opening in "August." With August practically over, one wonders if they mean August 2010? Again, it's not nice to tease us folks in the South Loop.

If anyone has some inside information on either Donna's Cafe and/or Pita Corner, please send us a message. Inquiring minds want to know.

"Epic" eats on State Street

"A More Mindful Burger"

Epic Burger at 517 South State St. will satisfy your craving for a nice juicy burger and crispy french fries without compromising your desire to eat healthier.

Hormone-free cows

The hamburgers at Epic burger are cooked fresh and their ground chuck is hormone and antibiotic free. According to their "Epic Rules," their beef is fed "a strict vegetarian diet." All hamburgers are served well done, but don't worry about hockey puck burgers here. They're juicy, flavorful, and worth checking out. We especially liked the turkey burger. Just like its beefy cousin, it too is juicy and flavorful. We also liked the portabella mushroom sandwich, available with several toppings. The fresh cut fries are cooked in trans fat free oil and seasoned with sea salt. Epic's fries are fine on their own, but feel free to add some organic ketchup or mustard.

Healthy snacks, beverages and desserts
In addition to their burgers and sandwiches, Epic offers natural shakes and malts and real fruit smoothies. For an extra $.99 you can add a protein powder boost. Additional beverages include fountain drinks, bottled teas, sodas, and energy drinks.

Epic eats, not epic prices

A burger and fries will set you back just under $8.00. An order of fries is large enough to split between two people. You'll save a few coins and still be satisfied; we promise.