Going out of Business – Southport Corridor News and Events

Dinkel’s Bakery closing April 30, 2022

When will Amazon Books Southport Corridor close? Soon.

What will happen to Southport’s Amazon Books space? Just look to the past

Amazon Books grand opening in 2017 at 3443 N. Southport Avenue

Amazon is shutting 68 retail stores, ending Amazon Books on Southport Avenue

Shirts Illustrated closing January 1

Chicago’s Southport Corridor is losing another small shop.

Announced on Facebook today, Shirts Illustrated located at 1340 W. Belmont Avenue will close its doors for good:

Southport Fitness ending their lease in mid-2022, space actively being marketed

M2 Boutique closing end of October

In a Instagram post, M2 says its farewell, says a “retail tobacco shop” is coming to their space.

Wrigleyville’s Blarney Stone closing after more than 50 years

Chicago’s Blarney Stone, A Wrigleyville Fixture, To Close After More Than 50 Years

The beloved dive bar will close on Oct. 2 after more than 50 years in Wrigleyville.

Wrigley BBQ is now closed

Smoked meat spot Wrigley BBQ closed permanently this month at 3555 N. Broadway, owner and pitmaster Mitch Liebovich announced on the restaurant’s website.

Founded in 2017, it featured brisket, ribs, wings, pulled pork, and smoked chicken. Liebovich writes online that he plans to move the entire operation to Palm Springs, Florida.

When will M2 Boutique be leaving Southport? And more national retailers coming

New national retailers are coming to the former DavidsTEA, Gearhead spaces as well

M2 has lost their lease, and will vacate their current space “30 days after “new” tenant signs.”

And even more national retailers are coming to Southport including the former DavidsTEA location and Uncle Dan’s/Gearhead space – with “large, complicated build-outs.”

See the listing for M2 here from Loopnet.

The history, and now dismantling of Southport Lanes

Southport Lanes was built by the Schlitz brewery in 1922 as one of the hundreds of “tied houses” in the Midwest

Southport Lanes is officially closed, and the auction of items has ended. Signs have begun to be taken down and for the first time in decades, you are able to see the old facade.

Leo’s Southport Lanes in the 1960’s and 1970’s

Excerpts from the Chicago Bar project from several years ago:

Southport Lanes was built by the Schlitz brewery in 1922 as one of the hundreds of “tied houses” in the Midwest (only Schlitz beer could be served). Once Schlitz sold the bar, the menu offered fornication to help fund the transitional purchase to its new owners in addition to its nobler alcohol distribution efforts. Because prostitution was, and still is, illegal in Chicago, the owner had to subtly advertise the delights to be found upstairs. He did this by having M.K. Siegner paint murals on the walls depicting nymphs frolicking in negligees.

Because prostitution was, and still is, illegal in Chicago, the owner had to subtly advertise the delights to be found upstairs. He did this by having M.K. Siegner paint murals on the walls depicting nymphs frolicking in negligees. These murals can still be seen today, both in the front room and above the bowling pins. Additional murals of these nymphs, sans clothing, could be found along the staircase and in the second floor bedrooms but those have since been painted over.

In 1991, the bar was purchased and renovated by the same owners that later brought us the Daily Bar & Grill, and such now-defunct dillies as Corner Pocket (now Victory Liquors), Hudson Club, and Lucky Strike (now Seven Ten, which also offers bowling and billiards).

Ownership of Southport Lanes has since transitioned to the Spare Time empire, who also owns Seven Ten, Firehouse, Riverview Tavern, Robey Pizza Company, and Popkin Tavern (Richmond, Virginia). Fortunately, the new owners did not mess with the formula that made the original, “Leo’s Southport Lanes,” an excellent tavern. Leo’s was run by Leo and Ella Beitz dating back to 1960, who took over from Leo’s parents who ran it since 1946.

Schoolyard Tavern Gutted on the inside

The interior of Schoolyard Tavern is completely gutted, and it looks like it’s suffering the same fate as Southport Lanes

Currently, the interior of Schoolyard Tavern is completely gutted and a dismantle of some-sort is underway. The bar and backroom are both completely ripped out, along with all tables/chairs and other items that were once installed. We’ve reached out to Schoolyard Tavern after their final closing last October on what the current status is with the business, but have yet to hear back. No more website, however Facebook and Twitter are still up.