Many Sloopers were disappointed about the recent news about Gioco closing (including us). Yes, we hear it's they are planning to re-open, but many people don't seem to have that faith.
Regardless, it appears there is some other issues at KDK restaurants. Crain's Chicago is reporting that Red Light (another KDK restaurant in the West Loop) also closed this week. Who knows what this means, but regardless our fingers are still crossed that they sort out this mess and that Gioco reopens.
This story has also received a wide amount of prominent news coverage, but we enjoyed reading the blog, The Feast, who sympathised with the South Loop residents and suggested ten solid dinning options in the Sloop.
8 comments:
Personally, I was not a fan of gioco. Having eaten there 3x, I was never impressed. The worst part is the smell in the lower level, which although is close to the kitchen, still smelled like a Chicago basement for some reason.
I believe kleiner and co strategically closed these places down as they have seen their glory days and shelf life has passed. Kleiner listing his McMansion for sale another sign of exit...???
This problem is bigger than than kleiner. This is an example of massive overburdening government taxthat hurts small business people. He can only raises prices so high to combat this problem. The state doesn't pay their bills can we shut them down too. I hope he is able to get back on track. When I think of him closing I think of all the jobs lost, thats not good in this economy.
Everyone must pay their taxes, how else r we going to keep all the nice entiltement programs.
I hope the people in this town wakeup soon and realise they r stomping on their own toes voting for the current crop of politicians, and stop being such zombies/ drones/ sheep.
The middleclass has just received a tax increase and are tightning their belts, the restaurants r the first to go.
Gioco's food was just as good as Dinotto's in Old Town or Piccolo Sogno and yet these places flourish. Hate people who drive our area businesses away & then complain about the lack of retail/restaurants in the sloop. So frustrating!
I am 100% Italian who gre up eating my mom's homemade food and I am a very picky eater. I loved Gioco and loved that it is araound the block from my building. I am not sure what those who didn't like the food are looking for. redder sauce? spicier sausage? more virginy olive oil? It is a great space, and was always busy. I truly think this is a result of a personal issue with the owner and not the business or lack thereof. I was talking to another sloop buisness owner and he said there is an easy remedy for not paying these taxes...they put you on a payment plan. There is something else going on here. I just hope it does open back up so I can get some delicious grilled zucchni from Gioco.
@Tayiah
You can't be serious about blaming taxes for these restaurants closing. Maybe this is an example of a company that overextended themselves and didn't pay their bills. The taxes that you speak of represent the revenue needed to pay for upkeep in the West Loop and South Loop. Nobody would want to come to this city without it.
Furthermore KDK wouldn't be considered a small business to ordinary people. If that's a small business, I want a tiny business.
You can tell from the house that Kleiner listed that he was living the good life...possibly overextending himself.
Finally, municipal taxes aren't funding entitlement programs. Read a book.
To Anon 6:29 who says, "Finally, municipal taxes aren't funding entitlement programs. Read a book."
You sir are clueless - one only needs to look at City of Chicago, State, and Cook County Budgets to see examples of layers of funding people on the public dole, in addition to federal taxes and programs. Many of these are not soley taxes but also in the form of hidden fees, etc.
And the Government idiots are not stopping there. Take for example an issue that may impact the South Loop being pushed by the Alderhacks called Project SWEET HOME CHICAGO, where our TIF dollars will be stolen to pay for 'affordable housing', and TIF decisions made by Alderman who want to further control the graft, all while our funding mechanism for schools, parks, infrastructure, etc. is further delayed.
You have no clue what an entitlement program is.
Think of social security, medicare, S chip. I clearly stated that I was talking about municipal taxes. You respond with city, state and county. I can't argue about the hidden fees because they're hidden and only you know about them.
All I'm saying is every problem with business isn't government's fault. There's a price to be paid for a thriving business in city such as Chicago. There's a reason why you're here and not in the small town you were born in.
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