- Credibility:
UKRAINIAN VILLAGE — The owners of Shake-It, a boozy milkshake and burger restaurant, will meet with residents of Ukrainian Village and East Village this week at the request of Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd).
Shake-It’s owners are expected to unveil design plans and information about the restaurant’s chef and menu at the meeting, which will start at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday at J&M Tap, 957 N. Leavitt St.
Credit: Facebook/ProvidedThe proposed development at 820 N. Damen Ave. would likely need an aldermanic sign-off on a liquor license, but community approval is not required for the plan, since no zoning change is needed.
RELATED: Shake-It Vows To Work With Neighbors Before Bringing Boozy Shakes And Burgers To West Town
Shake-It is a venture by Ohio-based Forward Hospitality Group, which entered into a 99-year lease to replace Grace Auto Repair near the corner of Damen Avenue and Rice Street in Ukrainian Village.
Dante Deiana — a Loyola University graduate and a DJ for the Chicago Cubs — is a co-founder of Forward Hospitality.
Of the 16 years Deiana has lived in Chicago, eight were spent in Wicker Park.
Deiana said the Shake-It team has attended multiple East Village Association and Ukrainian Village Neighborhood Association meetings during the last 18 months.
Early renderings from architect Steve Ciciretto showed an 80-seat outdoor patio and a walk-up window.
RELATED: Neighbors Want Meeting With Shake-It’s Backers To Hear Plans For The Boozy Burger Spot In West Town
But Forward Hospitality did away with the walk-up window at the request of neighborhood groups.
“A pretty major concession as it alters our business model significantly,” Deiana said.
The Shake-It group said they plan to follow all city laws regarding late night noise and other neighbor concerns, but some are calling for a more formalized, legally-binding community agreement.
The city requires outdoor patios to close by 11 p.m. Sunday-Thursday and 12 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
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