- Credibility:
LOGAN SQUARE — Esam Hani’s bar/restaurant/liquor store empire along Logan Square’s Milwaukee Avenue is growing.
The Logan Square native is opening a new establishment at 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave., the former home of burger bar Parts & Labor, according to a spokeswoman.
The spokeswoman wouldn’t divulge any other details, saying the project is in early stages. A public notice required for liquor consumption and outdoor patio use, issued in mid-July, is affixed to the storefront.
Once it opens, it’ll be Hani’s seventh establishment on the block. He already owns Café Con Leche, De Noche Mexicana, The Harding Tavern, Red Star Liquor, The Walk-In and Saba.
Credit: Paul Biasco/DNAinfo ChicagoHani’s investment in the block dates back to 2001, when he opened his first restaurant there, Cafe Con Leche at 2714 N. Milwaukee Ave. In the years that followed, he’s expanded some establishments, like Red Star Liquor at 2725 N. Milwaukee Ave., and opened new ones, like The Harding Tavern at 2732 N. Milwaukee Ave.
The new spot could be called Esquina Barra, which is the “doing business as” name listed on the public notice.
Parts & Labor, known for its burgers and shakes, abruptly closed last December after about four years of business.
It’s unclear what prompted the closure. The owners, who also own popular pizza joint Boiler Room, posted a goodbye message on Facebook, but didn’t go into the reason behind the closure.
In April of 2016, the restaurant/bar was temporarily shut down by the city’s health department after inspectors found flying insects, among other violations.
