Ukrainian Village group presses to preserve worker's cottages

2047 W. Augusta Blvd.

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East Village Association membership meeting

March 2, Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president

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Worker's Cottage Preservation in Ukrainian Village

Kimberly Shannon, treasurer of the Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association, discussed efforts to expand the Ukrainian Village landmark district. In discussions with UVNA, a developer agreed not to raze the cottage at 2047 W. Augusta and to place the building back on the market. Other worker's cottages and 3-flats are worth preservation as well.

Shannon asks EVA to support extending the Ukrainian Village Landmark District along Augusta Boulevard from Leavitt to Damen. A proposal has not been submitted, but the Department of Planning and Preservation Chicago indicate that Chicago may be more willing to consider blocks that mix new and old properties. Residents would be allowed to make renovations that aren't visible from the street.

Quigley, Hopkins give tag team report

Ald. Brian Hopkins and U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley talk to EVA members Feb. 3 at Homestead, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.

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East Village Association membership meeting

Feb. 3, 2020 at Homestead, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president

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"A congressional report should sound like an aldermanic report," said U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (5th) on his annual East Village Association visit, this year shared with Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd). But Quigley slyly noted the difference: His office handles requests for White House tour reservations, but lately not so many.

"You will be angry you will be frustrated," Quigley said Feb. 3, anticipating the failed Senate vote to remove President Trump, "but accountability lingers and it does matter." Oversight from federal prosecutors and House investigators continues over money laundering and other issues, Quigley said. "Little land mines are going to pop up." He noted that Congress had appropriated $420 million for election security.

After pledging to target funding for the CTA Blue Line, Quigley fielded questions, suggesting that Illinois would have one or two fewer congressmen following the 2020 census and making a case for securing leadership posts. (Quigley chairs the Financial Services subcommittee.)

Canna dispensary-spa plan OK'd

Scott Weiner, Dr. George Chiampas and Hanah Jubeh at the Jan. 6 EVA meeting, Members voted not to oppose a cannabis dispensary in East Village.

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East Village Association membership meeting

Jan. 6, 2030 at at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president

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East Village Association members on Jan. 6 voted unanimously not to oppose a recreational marijuana dispensary in the neighborhood. Scott Weiner, Dr. George Chiampas and Hanah Jubeh discussed their cannabis spa concept, which would need licensing and zoning approvals.

The planned location is 1914 W. Chicago Ave., adjoining Weiner's West Town Bakery and Roots Pizza restaurants. Sports physician Dr. George Chiampas would operate the medical component, expanding the building to accommodate salt-water baths and spa facilities. The plan likely would require a change to C1-2 commercial zoning.

The Andersonville medical marijuana business Dispensary 33 would manage marijuana sales. Nikki Hayes and Dr. Charlesnika Tyon Evans have filed with the state to provide job training as a the required social equity applicant. A fine dining restaurant, which could not serve cannabis, is no longer part of the initial plan.

Canna spa up for neighborhood vote

Scott Weiner and Ameya Pawar present their cannabis dispensary plan at a Nov. 4 EVA meeting at Happy Village.

A recreational cannabis dispensary seeks East Village Association members' approval at EVA's 7pm Jan. 6 meeting at Roots Pizza, 1924 W. Chicago Ave.

EVA's planning committee gave a do-not-oppose recommendation last month to a plan for a West Town recreational marijuana dispensary featuring cannabis-infused mineral baths and fine dining.

Partners in the "recreational cannabis experience" include Fifty/50 Management Group president Scott Weiner and former Ald. Ameya Pawar. Weiner and Pawar presented preliminary plans at a Nov. 4 membership meeting.

The planned West Town location was not disclosed at the meeting. The partners pledged to pursue Type 1 zoning, which requires City Council height and density approvals to limit incompatible or uncontemplated uses. Video monitors and other business restrictions sought by the EVA committee were accepted as well.

Boutique cannabis dispensary, wellness center and restaurant

The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group includes the West Town Bakery and Roots Pizza, both on the 1900 block of West Chicago Avenue.

A Labor Friendly Social Enterprise -- from The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group – announced for West Town


In partnership with Former Ald. Ameya Pawar, Organized Labor Consultant Hanah Jubeh, Chicago Marathon Medical Director and Chicago Blackhawks Team Physician Dr. George Chiampas, and Labor Leader Nikki Hayes

CHICAGO (August 23, 2019) – The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group (Scott Weiner & Greg Mohr) are forming a partnership with some of Chicago's biggest and most respected leaders to open a labor friendly boutique cannabis dispensary, wellness center and restaurant at a soon-to-be-disclosed location in West Town.

The concept will feature: a medical spa, mineral baths, and wellness center programmed by Dr. George Chiampas, a café and restaurant, and a cannabis dispensary. This concept spearheaded by Ameya Pawar and Hanah Jubeh will be the first cannabis dispensary in Illinois to invite labor to organize workers. This social enterprise will employ graduates of one of the city's leading-edge organizations working with justice involved youth. The career-track jobs will include profit sharing and full benefits.

The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group owns or operates 18 unique concepts across Chicago, having most recently partnered with the celebrated Second City on the third location of Roots Handmade Pizza and its 10,000 square foot rooftop concept called Utopian Tailgate.

Windy City Mini Market vote

Windy City Mini Market, 1756 W. Chicago Ave.

EVA members will take an advisory vote Monday on a change to a Chicago Avenue package goods license, and state Rep. Delia Ramirez will give an update on her work in Springfield.

Windy City Mini Market plans to add hard liquor to its beer and wine sales at 1756 W. Chicago Ave. The convenience store has been selling beer and wine since 2016 under a plan of operation that does not allow sale of any item of less than $5.99.

The 2016 plan negotiated with EVA put a system in place to show that liquor does not exceed 30% of sales, but with no explicit monitoring routine. A signage provision requires unobstructed views into the store.