BRONZEVILLE — Beloved Uptown mainstay Demera Ethiopian is bringing its award-winning fare to the South Side.
Owner Tigist Reda will be expanding to a new location in Bronzeville at 4528 S. Cottage Grove Ave. The chef — along with developer Sunshine Management — recently received a $1.7 million pre-development loan from the Chicago Community Loan Fund and a $100,000 Chicago Community Trust grant to transform a long-dormant mixed-use building into a 7,000-square-foot dine-in restaurant complete with rooftop space. She opened an outpost in Time Out Market last year.
The city previously gave Reda a $3.1 million in 2023. The restaurateur told Eater Chicago at the time the project will cost between $6 million to $9 million and would bring 50 jobs to the area. The development will have office space and apartments, as well.
Sunshine Management CEO and lead developer Bonita Harrison thanked the Chicago Community Trust for “believing in the project” in a recent LinkedIn post.
“This grant marks a significant milestone in our journey as the developer to transform this vibrant and impactful space for our community,” Harrison wrote.
“Sunshine Management’s vision goes beyond bricks and mortar; it’s about creating a hub that fosters growth, opportunity, and positive change. This grant is not just financial support; it’s a vote of confidence in Sunshine Management’s mission to make a lasting impact on Chicago’s South Side.”
Reda and the developer could not be reached for comment.
Sunshine Management has helmed other redevelopment projects on the South Side, including an eight-unit multifamily building in Chatham and two-flats in Englewood and Woodlawn.
Plans for the restaurant are part of an ongoing effort to revitalize the Cottage Grove corridor, where developments like 4400 Grove are bringing more residents and revenue to the area and Hollywood stars are pushing to turn the neighborhood into a cultural destination.
The Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts is still in the works for the 4300 block of South Cottage Grove Ave., which would transform the old Marshall Field building into a $25 million, 350-seat auditorium and performing arts museum. Nearby, the restoration of the Forum continues as owner Bernard Loyd prepares the venue for its first retail tenants.
Reda hopes to open in 2025, according to a What Now Chicago report.
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