LINCOLN PARK — Dinner and a Movie has been closed by the police after a fight broke out Sunday and shots were fired outside the Lincoln Park restaurant, which for weeks has generated complaints from neighbors about how it is operating.
The fight started inside Dinner and a Movie, 2500 N. Ashland Ave., and spilled outside, police said. At that point, a man got out of a nearby gray Chrysler 300 and fired about 17 shots toward the business, according to Chicago Police. No one was hit.
A woman also sprayed mace at some point during the clash, police said. As of Tuesday, no one had been arrested in connection to the incident.
Ald. Scott Waguespack (32nd) said in an email to his constituents Tuesday police issued a summary closure of Dinner and a Movie, which means the business is temporary closed due to public safety concerns.
Neighbors have been concerned about the business for weeks, Waguespack said, because it does not appear to be functioning as a restaurant as advertised. According to the alderperson, the business had no food menu listed on its website.
He’s asked the city’s Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and the liquor commissioner to investigate the business, and forwarded images of the website — along with its social media content and videos of the business — to authorities.
“Commander [Chris] Papaioannou spoke to the owner directly and the police have responded to calls for service there,” Waguespack said. “I have also spent several hours at night at the location viewing the quality of life problems created by the business.”
Waguespack has been monitoring the business to try to establish “a failure to follow a city plan of operation stating it was a restaurant that was imposed by the liquor commissioner at opening,” he said.
“As of today, I am disappointed to report that the business owner has not contacted our office to discuss this weekend’s incidents or any other previous issues,” Waguespack said.
Waguespack’s office is holding a community meeting at 11 a.m. July 23 involving neighbors, the police, BACP and the business’ owner to discuss the business under the city’s Public Nuisance Ordinance.
The owner of Dinner and a Movie could not be reached for comment.
Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.
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