Chicago’s Southport Corridor in Chicago’s Lakeview Neighborhood. All the latest news of what is happening in and around Lakeview's Southport Corridor neighborhood.
From national fashion brands and independent boutiques to million-dollar homes and limited retail availability, Chicago’s Southport Corridor is entering another period of transformation. Here’s where the neighborhood stands in 2026—and where it could be headed over the next two, four, and six years.
Walk down Southport Avenue today, and the changes are difficult to miss.
What was once primarily a neighborhood shopping street with independent businesses, restaurants, and a handful of national chains has evolved into one of Chicago’s most desirable retail destinations outside of downtown.
Southport Corridor & Wrigleyville — week of October 12, 2026
Three new businesses cut ribbons in Lakeview East this week, the Cubs won one in federal court, the marathon ran its 48th edition, and trick-or-treat season on Southport is now two weeks out. Here’s the week:
New openings
A tattoo and piercing studio, a Mediterranean spot, and a custom-cake shop all opened in Lakeview East this week. Purple Rhino Tattoo and Piercing held its grand opening on October 8 at 1134 W. Diversey, offering custom designs and flash tattoos from experienced artists along with a range of piercing styles. Chicago Sugar Daddy opened its flagship location at 3243 N. Broadway with a grand opening weekend October 8–10, specializing in custom cakes and treats built for any dietary need — we first covered its opening at the same address back in 2021. And Sila’s Mediterranean cuts the ribbon tomorrow — October 13 at 2 p.m. — at 3112 N. Broadway, a grab-and-go Mediterranean spot with what the chamber calls a “chic, Instagram-able interior.” All three welcomed neighbors via Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce ribbon-cutting ceremonies. (Lakeview East & Wrigleyville Chamber newsletter)
Closings: No new store or business closings on or near Southport Avenue turned up this week. If you know of one we’ve missed, drop us a line.
Cubs & Wrigleyville
The Cubs won a federal court fight against an independent rooftop. On September 30, U.S. District Judge Sharon Johnson Coleman granted the team’s motion for summary judgment against Wrigley View Rooftop and owner Aidan Dunican, finding the venue unjustly enriched itself by selling tickets to watch Cubs games after its revenue-sharing agreement expired in 2023. The ruling permanently bars the rooftop from selling tickets for the purpose of watching Cubs games or other Wrigley Field events without the team’s permission, and from using Cubs marks. The team filed suit in June 2024 after the rooftop kept selling $125–$150 packages once the agreement lapsed. Dunican can still appeal or seek a new deal. (For more on the long-running rooftop saga around the ballpark, see our 2024 coverage of the Cubs’ proposed rooftop signs.) (Sources: ABA Journal; Legal News Feed)
The club’s 2027 build continues. For the full offseason picture, Bleacher Nation’s October 2 rundown also noted former Cub Jameson Taillon faces possible elbow surgery that could cost him all of 2027. (Bleacher Nation)
Development & real estate
A new nine-unit building is permitted on North Lincoln Avenue. Chicago YIMBY reported October 11 that the city issued a permit for a four-story, nine-unit residential building to replace the former Rita Rugs building at 3040 N. Lincoln Avenue in Lake View — the latest in a string of Lincoln Avenue developments we’ve tracked, including the 3310 N. Lincoln project. The single-story masonry building was permitted for demolition back in February, and Pro Homes Incorporated of Summit, Illinois is behind the replacement. (Chicago YIMBY)
Weekend wrap
The marathon ran its 48th edition on Sunday. Kenya’s Amos Kipruto won the men’s race of the Bank of America Chicago Marathon in a personal-best 2:01:09, pulling away late from defending champion Jacob Kiplimo, who finished fourth. Ethiopia’s Hawi Feysa defended her women’s title in a personal-best 2:13:33, breaking away from Sharon Lokedi in the final mile. Switzerland’s Marcel Hug set a course record in the men’s wheelchair race (1:21:34), and his compatriot Catherine Debrunner won the women’s wheelchair race in 1:33:16. An estimated 55,000 runners ran. (NBC Sports; Wikipedia)
Coming up
Sila’s Mediterranean grand opening — Tuesday, October 13, 2 p.m., 3112 N. Broadway.
Trick-or-Treat on Southport — two weeks away: Monday, October 26, 4–7 p.m., Southport Avenue between Roscoe and Grace. Participating businesses hand out candy while families enjoy games, crafts, music, photo ops, and inflatables, with a pumpkin patch near Southport and Waveland (outside Coalfire Pizza, courtesy of Lakeview SSA 27) and the Gus Giordano Dance School “Thriller” performance at 5 p.m. near Southport and Cornelia. Free, rain or shine. (We covered the full details last month and last year’s event; Stephanie Turner Chicago; Mommy Poppins)
A long-planned mixed-use development at 3347-49 N. Southport Avenue remains stalled, despite previous indications that construction would resume in early 2026.
More than a month after Quiroga’s Car Wash launched a neighborhood petition seeking help reopening its longtime Southport Corridor location, the future of the property remains unresolved.
Apparently the rest of the country has finally accepted what Chicagoans have known all along.
Chicago has once again been named the Best Big City in the United States by Condé Nast Traveler, marking an incredible 10 consecutive years at the top of the list.
A proposal to replace longtime Lakeview neighborhood bar George Street Pub with a five-story mixed-use apartment building is stirring up a familiar Chicago development debate: how should the neighborhood balance the need for more housing with the desire to preserve the local businesses that give Lakeview its character?
Southport Corridor & Wrigleyville — week of October 5, 2026
A quiet week for storefronts on Southport proper — but Lakeview added a new noodle spot, Wrigleyville saw its October baseball run end in two nights, and there’s a date to mark for one of the corridor’s best family traditions. Here’s the week.
New openings
Noodleverse has landed in Lakeview. The new Chinese spot at 3139 N. Broadway grew out of a stall in a Chinatown basement food court and now has its own standalone storefront in 60657. Noodles are the specialty — expect them floating in hot spicy beef soup, swimming in cold broth, or topped with tomato and egg — with dumplings and rice bowls rounding out the menu. The Infatuation just gave it an 8.7 in a first look published September 21, noting it’s worth knowing about even though their reviewer hasn’t been through the full menu yet.
Closings: No new store or business closings on or near Southport Avenue turned up this week. If you know of one we’ve missed, drop us a line.
Cubs & Wrigleyville
The Cubs’ October ended in San Diego. After clinching the second straight playoff berth last week, the Cubs were swept out of the National League Wild Card Series by the Padres — 8-0 on Tuesday, 4-1 on Wednesday at Petco Park. A club that led the majors with 850 runs in the regular season managed just eight hits across 18 innings. Nico Hoerner’s RBI single accounted for Chicago’s only run of the series, while Pete Crow-Armstrong and Alex Bregman went a combined 0-for-15 with eight strikeouts. The Padres advance to face the 103-win Brewers in the NLDS; the White Sox, meanwhile, swept the Astros in their Wild Card series. (Sources: Reuters; The Score/AP)
Weekend wrap: The Chicago Horror Film Festival took over Landmark’s Century Centre Cinema (2828 N. Clark) October 2–4 with 150+ independent horror films across two screens, a red carpet, and a Sunday awards show. We flagged it in last week’s roundup; this was the 28th year of the festival.
Development & real estate
Quiet on this front this week — nothing new to report that we haven’t already covered (including last week’s $201.6 million Foundry Park TIF approval). If you’ve spotted scaffolding or permits along Southport, send a tip.
Coming up
Trick-or-Treat on Southport — Monday, October 26, 4–7 p.m., Southport Avenue between Roscoe and Grace. Participating businesses hand out candy while families enjoy games, crafts, music, photo ops, and inflatables up and down the corridor, with a pumpkin patch near Southport and Waveland and a “Thriller” dance performance near Southport and Cornelia. Free, rain or shine. (Mommy Poppins)
This Saturday, October 10:
Lincoln Brunch Fest — 10 a.m.–2 p.m., free on Lincoln Avenue between Diversey and Wellington. Complimentary brunch samples from Bookclub, Cebu, Gotham Bagels, Rica Arepa, and The Weekly Mac, plus live music on the Bookclub Stage. (Chicago Food Magazine)
Really Really Free Market — 10 a.m.–1 p.m. at AIDS Garden Chicago (lakefront, south of Belmont). Everything is free: goods, skills, tarot, yoga, and more. (Choose Chicago)
A major transformation of the former Lincoln Yards site is moving forward — and it could eventually bring the popular 606 Trail much closer to Southport.
If you’re looking for a new opportunity close to home, there are a number of businesses in and around Chicago’s Southport Corridor currently looking for help.
One of the Southport Corridor’s biggest fall traditions is back this weekend as St. Alphonsus hosts Oktoberfest Chicago from Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27.
