Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

A 24-year-old woman was carjacked at gunpoint early Sunday evening in Bucktown as she was warming up her SUV in the frigid Chicago cold. 

On Sunday evening, December 18, 2016, as temperatures were heading to subzero a woman was warming up her car at approximately 6:30pm when 2 unknown male offenders approached her vehicle displaying handguns. The victim fled from the vehicle located in the block of 1700 N. Wolcott leaving her personal belongings behind according to reports.

The stolen vehicle is a 2016 Black Ford Escape and the offenders fled the scene with the car. The car has not yet been located. The offenders are described as black, between the ages of 20 and 25 with one wearing a red hoodie and the other wearing a black jacket.

Opening in the former Asics location at 1630 N. Damen Avenue Arc'Teryx is hosting their Grand Opening today in Wicker Park. For those who may not know, Arc'Teryx is an outdoor apparel shop based in Vancouver, British Columbia. 

The Grand Opening hosted today, Saturday September 10, 2016 until 7:00pm will include: Craftsman Demos, Food, Drink, Live Music and Giveaways.

There's already a line down the street. 

Traditionally, the Chicago Park District Pools close for the season on Labor Day. But this year, Bucktown's Holstein Park has decided to keep their beautiful pool open. This comes as great news in the wake of warm temperatures still predicted to be looming on the horizon this week. Today, for example, the forecast predicts a high of 91 degrees....in Chicago....in September. Tomorrow it will be 92 degrees. 

That being said, the Holstein Park Swimming Pool is scheduled to stay open until September 30, 2016.

The pool is located in the park at 2200 N. Oakley Avenue and opens at 10am daily. If you've never been, it's a little hidden jewel in the middle of the community. The pool spans 50 yards and the depth ranges from 3 feet to 11 feet. A full schedule of hours is located on the Chicago Park District Website. For additional information head to chicagoparkdistrict.com.

Please be careful and stay alert in the neighborhood everyone. Two separate incidents occurred this week where men were assaulted and robbed in Wicker Park. Just before midnight on Tuesday July 5, 2016 two employees of XOCO Bistro (1471 N. Milwaukee Avenue) were beaten and robbed by 6 teenagers. The incident occurred in the block of 1700 W. North Avenue. According to a report published by DNAInfo, the teenagers bumped into the men before they attacked, beat and robbed them; stealing a cell phone, 2 backpacks and a wallet. The incident has resulted in one of the employees quitting his job.

The teenagers involved in this incident are described as black with short hair, ages 13-17, shorter than 5 foot 8 inches and weighing less than 150 pounds.

The 2nd incident occurred a few hours later at approximately 3am. A 36-year-old man was approached by 2 men as he was riding his bike in the vicinity of 2000 W. Pierce Street just north of Big Star and steps away from the Damen Blue Line El Station. The men approached him, pulled him off of his bicycle and then assaulted and robbed him.The man's green Schwinn bicycle and cigarettes were stolen. The only description offered by the cyclist was that the offenders were black.

If you have any information that can assist with the investigation of these crimes and/or the apprehension of the offenders, please contact the Chicago Police Department. Stay safe guys. 

Photo courtesy of Mahalo via Facebook.

Wicker Wire: Originally scheduled to open Summer 2016, Mahalo is opening earlier than expected. The new casual Hawaiian eatery is opening today in the former location of Wicker Park's Spanish Cava Bar, Bom Bolla, at 1501 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Designed with a modern Hawaiian surf shack feel, Mahalo is hoping to transport you into a vacation-like atmosphere. Even the rooftop deck will include picnic tables and string lighting to help set the mood. The two-story building includes a 2,500 square foot bar and dining area on the first floor, another full service beach bar on the second floor and the 1,000 square foot rooftop patio. 

The lunch & dinner menu will offer an entertaining array of Polynesian-Asian fusion cuisine served with a modern flair including Pupu, Poke, Yakitori, Salad and Large Plate options. They will also be including Spam Meatballs. Seriously, there are multiple dishes with Spam in them. The drink menu will include Mai Tai cocktails made with rum and tropical fruit juices, as well as beer and wine selections. On the weekends, Mahalo will feature a brunch menu.

The official opening date is Wednesday June 1st, 2016 at 3:00pm. See you there.

Photo credit: Le Bouchon.

We are very sorry to report the heartbreaking news that talented chef and restaurateur Jean-Claude Poilevey died early Saturday morning in an icy car crash on the Eisenhower expressway. The crash involved 15 cars and occurred at 12:40am. Poilevey was the sole fatality at the accident and, according to the Chicago Tribune, had stepped out of his car at the scene.

A highly respected icon for decades in the French dining community, Poilevey opened his first restaurant in 1973 and Bucktown's Le Bouchon in 1993 where it has served as a staple in the community for over 20 years. He later opened Le Sardine in the West Loop in 1998.

Le Bouchon is a true treasure in Bucktown. Located at 1958 N. Damen Avenue, walking into this tiny restaurant is like walking into a Parisian bistro. The eatery is warm and cozy. The food: authentic French fare and delicious.  The staff friendly and accommodating. The 71-year-old chef cooked service every night. Posted on Le Bouchon's Facebook page: Our hearts our broken. We have lost an incredible man, chef and friend.

Le Sardine and Le Bouchon were closed Saturday night. Memorial services are pending.

Is it just us? Or do the number of shootings in, and around, the neighborhood seem to rising rapidly this year? Two shootings have occurred on Western Avenue in less than 2 weeks. And on Wednesday March 9, 2016, a 19 year-old-man man was shot and killed just outside of the Division Blue Line El Station during rush hour. 

Last night a 25-year-old man was shot in the shoulder at approximately 9pm in the block of 1600 N. Western Avenue as he was crossing the street. The man was walking southbound when he heard shots and realized he had been hit. The unidentified man took himself to Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center where his condition was stabilized.

On March 12, 2016 a man was shot while sitting at a red light in the 1400 block of N. Western Avenue. As the man sat at the light, someone approached the vehicle and began shooting striking the man in the arm, leg and back. The man drove to Presence Saints Mary and Elizabeth Medical Center where his condition was stabilized police said.

All of the shootings noted above are believed to be gang-related according to the Chicago Police Department. 

According to a report first published by ABC7 News, a 33-year-old man was robbed on Monday, October 5, 2015 at approximately 10:00pm as he was walking just north of the North/Damen/Milwaukee Avenue intersection. He was approached by a man and woman who took both his laptop and his wallet. As they fled the scene, they then fired, what appeared to be, a BB or pellet gun which grazed him in the eye. 

A report published today by DNAInfo describes the assailants as black, in their 20's, and over 5'9" with dark complexions. According to Chicago Police, they are looking for 3 offenders: two men and one female. After the robbery, the man and woman fled in a black Honda Coupe driven by the 3rd offender. If you have any information, please contact the Chicago Police Department.

image courtesy of Renegade Craft Fair

Good Sunday morning. The weather should be just beautiful today in the neighborhood. So drench yourself in blue skies and warm sunshine. And be sure to take advantage of these special events in Wicker Park and Bucktown...happening today.

Apple Pie Party - No contest this year but there will still be plenty of apple pie to eat. So head to Bucktown's Holstein Park - 2200 N. Oakley Street, 2:00pm-5:00pm.

Bitter Betty Bazaar - Right around the corner from the Renegade Craft Fair, the Bitter Betty Bazaar features handcrafted soaps, jewelry, home decor, accessories, vegan baked goods and more. Innertown Pub, 1935 W. Thomas, 12:00pm-6:00pm.

Farmers Market - Featuring fresh produce, flowers, cheeses and meats, the Wicker Park Farmers Market is open today from 8:00am - 2:00pm. 1425 N. Damen Avenue.

Midnight Circus on the Parks - For the first time ever, the Midnight Circus in the Parks is in Wicker Park this weekend and today will be the final day. Get those tickets while you can. Ticket Information & More. 1425 N. Damen Avenue.

Renegade Craft Fair - The biggest craft fair in Chicago, and a favorite of many, the Renegade Craft Fair is back in Wicker Park this weekend. You'll find plenty of artisans, food, music and more. 11:00am-6:00pm from Paulina to Damen. 

Have a great Sunday and we'll see you in the neighborhood. 

Wicker Wire: Friday June 5th is National Doughnut Day and here's how you can celebrate the blessed event in Wicker Park.

Glazed & Infused - For one - and one day only - the blessed Crème Brûlée Doughnut makes a return visit. Plus they'll be giving away sprinkle shots. 1576 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

Stan's Donuts - Score a FREE glazed donut with any beverage purchase. First come, first served. 1560 N. Damen Avenue.