Tuesdays - 6:30pm

Meet at Wicker Park Proper - 1425 N. Damen

http://www.meetup.com/Wicker-Park-Bucktown-Ukrainian-Village-Runners-Group/

Photo: divvybikes.com

According to a report published by Our Urban Times, Wicker Park and East Village will be included in Chicago's new bike sharing program called: DIVVY.

Plans are in the works to include bike stations at the Polish Triangle (the intersection of Milwaukee Avenue/Division Street/Ashland). While the program will be launching 300 sites in phases starting this summer, the exact date and location for the Triangle's stations have not been determined, according to a CDOT spokesperson. "Most people want to know how many bikes will be there, but the space is really based on docking stations. I believe there will be 19, which takes 56 feet long by 6 feet wide."  

Divvy will provide residents and visitors with a transportation option available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. Users will be able to purchase $75 yearly memberships or $7 daily passes, which will allow for unlimited trips up to 30 minutes each.  Annual members will be able to enroll online at www.divvybikes.com and receive a personal key used to quickly unlock bikes from any station.

Divvy is expected to launch around Bike to Work Day on June 14, with about 75 stations. The program will expand to include at least 4,000 bikes at 400 stations citywide in 2014.

 

 

Chicago bike sharing system is coming to the Polish Triangle in Wicker Park [OUT]

We reported last year that Bin Wine Cafe had closed at 1559 N. Milwaukee Avenue and today DNA Info has confirmed that a new craft beer bar will be opening in its place.

The new space is currently operating under the name Links Taproom and according to today's report, managing partner Mike Quinlan has provided a few details about the new space:

"Links Taproom will feature 32 American beers on tap, 4 cask beers, 4 tap wines and large format bottled beer list meant for sharing. Links will serve house-made sausages and hand-cut fries from our kitchen..."

Although it was reported earlier that Bin Wine Cafe was re-concepting into more of a gastropub, it is unclear from today's report whether the team behind Bin Wine Cafe is still involved in this new bar. Look for Links Taproom to open late Summer or early Fall.

 

Bin Wine Space to Become Bar Featuring Craft Beer, Sausages [DNA Info]

Is Bin Wine Cafe Shuttered or Reconcepting [Eater]

Wicker Park - Updated Monday April 21, 2013

 

The team moved quickly removing almost the entire front facade of the building. For a sneak peek of what the original building looked like and more PHOTOS.

 

 

Wicker Park - Published Saturday April 19, 2013 Mystery has always surrounded the space of the long vacant Palm Terrace Banquets located at 1250 N. Milwaukee Avenue.

In the 1930's a portion of the building located at 1246 N. Milwaukee Avenue was home to a jeweler as show in this photo courtesy of WBEZ:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And the building was vacant for a number of years after Palm Terrace closed up shop almost 15 years ago. Recently, the commercial space has been filled with a new store primarily focused on Nike footwear called Stash.

Bright and early Saturday morning Wicker Park resident, Stephanie Cwik, contacted us know the front facade at 1250 N. Milwaukee Avenue was finally being removed. And this stunning turn of the century building and architectural details are what are being discovered behind that old Palm Terrace facade:

 

 

 

The bank owned building was bought by local businessman Tony Kim last year and plans may be in the works to rent the space as lofts.

Wow. We can't wait to see the whole building when it's finished. Another amazing discovery and historic little treasure in Wicker Park.

 

 

For Insiders Only 

Every week we sift through mounds of information and emails to determine who is offering the best of the best. And every week we publish the Wicker Park Bucktown Insider Weekend Guide which features local news (like new restaurants, bars and shops), our picks for the very best neighborhood events and cool deals.

So if you'd like to be privy to the very best the neighborhood has to offer sign up for our Weekend Guide.  Of course, your email addresses are kept completely confidential and will never be shared.

 

Just go to the bottom of this page. It's that easy.  And be sure to add us to your address book.  We don't include every little thing ... just the very best things. Sign up today! We also publish up-to-the-minute updates on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Thanks and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

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Not only do we publish up to the minute information on Facebook & Twitter, but we publish deals and free giveaways. We gave away 5 pairs of FREE Tickets to the Double Door a little while ago, lots of free brunches, tickets to FatPour's Grand Opening Party and more.

 

We feature many many contests for FREE brunch, dinner, tickets to sporting events, music venues, bottle service and more and our contests are featured only through Facebook & Twitter. So be sure to find us there.

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Thanks and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

 

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Wicker Park- April 20, 2013

 

Early in the morning of April 15, 2013 there were a number of garage break ins in Wicker Park. On the block of 1700 W. Crystal Street, after 3am at least 3 garages were broken into with bicycles and other items stolen.

Police reports have been filed. If you have valuables stored in your garage, you may want to relocate them.

 

 

April 5, 2013

 

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. 

This weekend we're featuring theater, music, fundraisers and more. You can also win FREE tickets to a few of the shows at Double Door so please check out our Facebook and Twitter pages for details. There is also lots of news to share. A number of businesses are expanding this Summer like Big Star and Emporium Arcarde. Full details and more are included below. Last but not least, Do Division 2013 has announced the preliminary line-up for this Summer's fest.

For up-to-minute updates and news throughout the week, be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter and you'll never miss a thing. Thanks, as always, for joining us. Have a great weekend and and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

 

 BAR NEWS

Emporium Arcade to Expand This Summer

Yes Emporium Arcade has announced that expansion plans are in the very near future. Emporium Arcade will be taking over the adjacent space at 1368 N. Milwaukee Avenue. This new space will include more games, an additional bar and a movie screen for games and possible movies.

 

 

 

 

 

COMMUNITY EVENTS 

 

  ENTERTAINMENT

Crime Scene Last Chance - This is the final weekend to see Collaboraction's Crime Scene: A Chicago Anthology. This powerful show closes at the Flat Iron Building on Sunday.

FREE Tickets - Don't miss your chance to win a FREE pair of tickets to 2 upcoming shows at Double Door. Girl Group Chicago magically recreates the aesthetic of the 1960’s with their charming harmonies and custom-made, A-lined, mod-cloth dresses. We are also giving away a pair of free tickets to the FU Manchu show early next week. They will be performing their album "The Action is Go" from start to finish. Both shows are at Wicker Park's Double Door.

 

Empty Bottle Named in Top 20 US Clubs - Rolling Stone Magazine has named The Empty Bottle as one of the top 20 clubs in the country. They're in good company with Lincoln Hall and Schubas rounding out Chicago's top 3 on the list.

 

Official Lollapalooza Party Monday - On Monday, Lollapalooza will be kicking off their opening party with Do312 and you can win tickets and giveaways. You can also sample a little food from Graham Elliot. But you have to RSVP.

 

 

 

 REAL ESTATE

Wicker Park Historic Landmark - Sells For $125,000 Over Asking

We've been keeping our eye on this stunning turn-of-the-century building for a while. And if you've ever walked past Damen and Schiller, you've walked right past this 6,000 square foot residence on the park. The combination of updating required and slow real estate market pushed this landmark into foreclosure. But this year? It just sold well over asking at over $900,000.

 

 

 

 

 RESTAURANT NEWS

Big Star's Getting Bigger - This very popular - but very small - taqueria has announced they are expanding at long last. Plans include moving the take out window to the building where Caravette Real Estate was located and expanding the cafe itself. With an approval by the city, the patio may also be expanded to include the parking lot next door. Summer is the target date for the expansion. Big Star.

Chicago Chop Shop - Additional details have been released about Chicago Chop Shop heading to North Avenue this Summer. What can you expect to find here? A gourmet butcher, a restaurant-bar serving up a seasonal menu and small plates. Wine, craft beer and a rooftop patio. The adjacent venue will be called The 1st Ward. Details.

Miko's Italian Ice is Open - It's a sure sign of Spring when Flipside Cafe, at 1846 N. Damen Avenue, closes up shop for the season and Miko's Italian Ice opens. And Miko's officially opened for the season April 1st. 

 

 

  SHOPPING NEWS & EVENTS

Moon Voyage Targets Monday - We really love the sound of this new boutique heading to Wicker Park just around the corner from the Violet Hour at 2010 W Pierce. A little off the beaten path? Maybe. But it sounds like they're going to be worth the trip. And they're targeting Monday as their opening day.

 

Also this weekend, AKIRA and Mazi Dance Fitness are teaming up together to provide FREE classes, buy-one-get-one discounts, food, drink and more. And it's all happening Sunday.

That's it for this weekend. Thanks again for joining us and for sending us your events and information. If you have information to share be sure you do so through our website. If you'd like to receive this information each week, just sign up below.

 

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

 

 

 The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide

March 29, 2013

 

Hello and welcome to this week's edition of your Insider Weekend Guide. 

Thanks as always for joining us. We know this weekend is a holiday weekend for many so we're sending out our guide a little earlier than usual. This weekend we're including a few special events for this weekend only and a little news you can use. As a friendly reminder, street cleaning starts again Monday April 1st so keep your eyes open for those signs. We're also giving away a $25 Gift Card to Via Carducci so be sure to check our Facebook & Twitter pages for details and enter by 5pm today.

 

Last but not least we featured another great photo last week sent to us by photographer Robert Martinez of the North-Damen-Milwaukee Avenue intersection. It's a great shot and you can find it here.

For up-to-minute updates and news throughout the week, be sure to follow us on Facebook & Twitter and you'll never miss a thing. Thanks, as always, for joining us. Have a great weekend and and we'll see you in the neighborhood.

 

 

 BAR EVENTS

 

 

 

COMMUNITY NEWS 

 

 

 

 

 REAL ESTATE

 

 

 

 

 RESTAURANT NEWS

 

 

 

  SHOPPING NEWS & SALES

That's it for this weekend. Thanks again for joining us and for sending us your events and information. If you have information to share be sure you do so through our website.

 

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

 

 

 The Wicker Park Bucktown Insider's Guide