About 35 residents from around Morse Avenue heard Alex Samardzija explain his plans to bring a bar/restaurant to the new commercial space at 1412 W. Morse. These plans would require a zoning change from B3-3 to C1 because there is another tavern within 400 feet. So 49th Ward Alderman hosted the community meeting to get feedback on the plans.
Judging from comments made, those in attendance overwhelmingly support the development and required zoning change. About 15 people spoke in favor of the bar/restaurant concept, while two neighbors opposed it.
Samardzija said the unnamed bar would be very similar to his other bar/restaurant in Lincoln Square at Damen and Grace called Xippo. The decor would be modern, seating about 50-60 people. He will serve a light fare -- paninis and salads priced from $5 to $10. He also expect to feature acoustic music. Samardzija sid his family has been in the bar and restaurant business in Chicago for 40 years. Alex himself is a real estate developer who has been working in the 49th Ward for about 10 years. He built the 16-unit mixed use development at 1412-14 W. Morse three years. It is now all rentals until the condo market turns around.
Here is a sampling of comments from the audience: "We need something like on Morse." - "We need sidewalk traffic on Morse and this will bring it." - "We can make our neighborhood safer by having more people spend their dollars here." One person described Xippo as having a "lovely, understated decor -- like out of Crate and Barrel II."
A person who opposed it said there are enough taverns in the area, and said she has seen problems with taverns in mixed-use buildings. Samardzija said there would be a a restaurant focus here rather than a bar focus. He wants the tavern license so he can keep food costs lower and serve liquor after the kitchen closes. Samardzija said he would employ 12-16 people.
Alderman Moore said folks could still comment on the zoning change via email or by calling his office at 773-338-5796.
Hi Kevin, See you are keeping to that New Year's resolution so far. :o)
Both Steve and I feel that you can't have it both ways. This is a proposed late night bar that serves some food- not a full menu (french fries, heated sandwiches and microwavable soup). His business plan is to make his profit off of alcohol and possibly entertainment. He doesn't need a tavern license for a place of amusement (entertainment) or to sell food.
We feel that this is being presented in a misleading way in repeatedly saying this is primarily a restuarant/bar.
As we stated at the meeting, we would prefer an establishment with an incidental license, which would be a real restauarant.
The other point to consider it that the reason the business needs a zoning exception is because there are taverns in the area within 400 feet. In the immediate area, we already have Duke's, the Glenwood, Red Line Tap, Morseland, Heartland Bar, and now Mayne Stage. That's 6 places you can go have a drink late at night. We need other kinds of businesses that can support other aspects of living in the community.
We understand that the owners of the Glenwood Bar and the manager of the new Mayne Stage (formerly Morse Theater) support this proposed late night bar. Doesn't surprise us that business owners of bars would want another late night bar.
We understand that street traffic is a good thing and we all want Morse to be redeveloped and improved. With the reopening of the Morse Theater, this will happen and their will be other types of businesses coming around that would be more appropriate for a residential building.
We just wanted to post and correct what is an incorrect impression of the business plan.
Thank you,
Jocelyn & Steve Gerard
Posted by: Jocelyn & Steve Gerard | January 14, 2010 at 08:02 AM