Dimitrios Christopoulos, Cherlyn Pilch and Andrew Miller address Happy Village neighbors. East Village Association membership meeting 7pm Monday, Oct. 1, Bath House Cultural Center, 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president By a show of hands, neighbors agreed with a prospective new owner's plans to add food service at the Happy Village tavern, with homes replacing the adjoining game room. "There are still some questions," said Ald. Brian Hopkins, who must guide a liquor license transfer through the Liquor Control Commission and City Council. "If you live near Happy Village we absolutely want to hear from you." The vote was opened to all 55 people attending the Oct. 1 East Village Association membership meeting, many of whom lived near the bar at 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Hopkins said he would reimpose a license freeze and downzone the adjoining building, leaving the bar as the block's only commercial property. Lawyer Dimitrius C...

Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. East Village Association members will take a vote Oct. 1 advising Ald. Brian Hopkins on plans for Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Members meet at 7pm down the block at the Bath House Cultural Center , 1019 N. Wolcott Ave. The 2nd Ward alderman must decide whether to introduce a City Council ordinance permitting a liquor license transfer to prospective buyers Andrew Miller and Addison Thom. At EVA's Aug. 6 membership meeting, Miller and Thom described their plans to renovate the property, add restaurant service and sell the connected building at 1057 N. Wolcott Ave., now the bar's pingpong room.

From the Happy Village patio, Pauline Dengler describes the Cook County State's Attorney's west side initiatives. East Village Association membership meeting Sept. 10, 2018, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Two prosecutors work out of the Community Justice Center at 715 W. Maxwell St. At the Sept. 10 EVA meeting, community liaison Pauline Dengler described their action on crimes in the 11th and 12th Chicago Police districts and on the University of Illinois at Chicago campus. Dengler's classes and programs for community members include court advocacy, a self-defense course and " Keeping It Real " panel discussions with ex-offenders. Delia Ramirez, an unopposed candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives , told members she would for advisory committees on public safety, housing, schools and other local issues. Ramirez noted that a large class of new state representatives could pull the legislature toward more...

East Village Association membership meeting Aug. 6, 2018, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president Due to a number of open questions, the advisory vote on the liquor moratorium lift on Wolcott has been postponed, currently till Oct. 1. Watch this space for more information before the vote about Happy Village's Plan of Operation and other issues. Here's a replay of the Aug. 6 meeting at the tavern, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Prospective buyers describe plans to add restaurant service . Dimitrios G. Christopoulos, attorney for the seller, is the main speaker.

Happy Village, 1057-59 N. Wolcott Ave. The Happy Village tavern would become a restaurant under new owners. They're requesting a member vote Monday that would consent to lifting a liquor license moratorium at 1057-59 N. Wolcott. The license freeze now blocks any new operator from taking over. The outcome is not binding on 2nd Ward Ald. Brian Hopkins, who would be making a recommendation to the City Council. Cheryln Pilch plans to sell the Happy Village tavern business. She joined the prospective purchasers, Andrew Miller and Addison Thom, in making a July 16 presentation to the EVA board . A previous sale proposal in 2016 was withdrawn. The new prospective purchasers, Andrew Miller and Addison Thom, say they will restore the bar's kitchen and introduce chef-driven casual American fare. The renovations include reducing the size of the patio by adding a glass enclosure. This solarium type structure would take up about half the patio.

Marland Hobbs speaks to EVA members at Happy Village. East Village Association membership meeting July 9, 2018, Happy Village, 1059 N. Wolcott Ave. Presiding: Michael VanDam, president East Village Association members on July 9 backed landlord Marland Hobbs’ plan to convert retail space on Hermitage and add transit-oriented apartments. Welcome (Michael VanDam) Shakespeare in the Park preview (Elizabeth Nungaray) Presentation and vote on 1115 N. Hermitage (Marland Hobbs): The owner made a case to build apartments over a garage to "domesticate" the alley south of Division Street. Rezoning for 7 units still would not conform to the surrounding 3-flats. The Planning, Preservation and Development committee had recommended only to convert first-floor commercial space. Members voted 14-10 not to oppose Hobbs' request.