- Credibility:
HUMBOLDT PARK — The Shelby served its last customers Sunday evening, according to owner-investor Georg Simos.
After just seven months in business, the restaurant/bar, at 2759 W. Augusta Boulevard, has shuttered.
It was the second try for chef Rodney Staton, who ran Haywood Tavern at the same location before closing the eatery last November after about two years of business. A couple weeks after closing, Staton, who has cooked everywhere from Longman & Eagle to Spiagga, announced plans to reopen as The Shelby with Simos, who runs Dante’s Pizzeria, Crown Liquors and Rocking Horse.
“We definitely enjoyed our time at this location as both Haywood Tavern and The Shelby, but have decided to move on,” Simos wrote in an email. “No real story to tell…we had a nice run, but felt it was time to move on.”
The Shelby billed itself as a laid-back beer and burger joint. Simos didn’t say what prompted him and Staton to close the spot.
“The neighborhood was really great and welcoming to us from the get go. We had so many amazing regulars who were with us the whole way,” Simos wrote.
“It’s a really interesting stretch of California Ave with so many great businesses and people…we’ll miss being a part of it.”
