Regardless of whether or not you like to slap the dough, you've probably enjoyed some Papa John's pizza at some point in your life. We recently got a tip letting us know that Papa John's is apparently opening up shop at State and Cermak based on this job post on Craigslist.Not exactly sure the address and timing, but it's good to see more businesses turning up on Cermak. Doubt this one is going to help the area as much as some of the other business news in the area (see post from last week), but new business means more people which means a step in the right direction if you ask us.
(Hat tip: RG!)
Chain food - no thanks. I'd rather eat at Pizzeria Brandi. Their deep dish is decent but anything beats a national chain. Pass.
ReplyDeleteAlso, I disagree that any new place moving in is good for the neighborhood. If 30 Walmarts, taco bells, Wendy's, BK, etc all moved in I wouldn't be saying it's great for the neighborhood. Chains don't bring any culture or any personality with them.
Your example isn't a particularly powerful one. I agree that 30 "Walmarts, taco bells, Wendy's, BK etc" would be a bad thing for the neighborhood. But fortunately that's not happening. Rather, one Papa John's is coming in, bringing jobs and an active storefront to a community where both are lacking. Chain stores can exist in healthy balance with independent businesses. Can you name a neighborhood with a reasonably sized business community that doesn't have any chains? More likely than not, a lack of chains would indicate a sick local economy.
ReplyDeleteAs far as chains go, I'd take Papa John's over the closest other pizza chain here (Dominos) any day.
ReplyDeleteI will not rest until there is a Burger Point on every corner in the Sloop!
ReplyDeleteI also would like to see a Burger Point kiosk in the new Green Line Stop at 18th...oops, I mean Cermak and Wabash.
"Calling All Dough Slappers!"
ReplyDeleteIsn't that headline a little risque for the Sloopin blog?
It's better thawn Sarpino's!
ReplyDeleteI'll take it
Welcome to the area
first poster is clearly a renter ...i wish we could get more owners to post on this blog
ReplyDeleteplease explain the difference between renters and owners.
ReplyDeleteim waiting..
The scout has phenominal pizza
ReplyDeleteFirst poster here. No, been an owner since '07 but not really sure why any of that matters.
ReplyDeleteAgain, I hate chains. I don't eat at them. I understand there's a place for them but I will take a mediocre local place over a chain any day.
Chicago lost it's uniqueness years ago. We're nothing but a big box and franchise city.
ReplyDeleteIt's too expensive for a small business to be profitable in Chicago/Illinois.
One big burb!
What's wrong with chains maaaaaan? Noodles & Co, Chipotle, Corner Bakery, Jamba Juice, Qdoba, Atl Bread, Starbucks, Cosi, Portillo's, etc. All would make good additions. Good value, consistent product, no sketchiness (looking at you Alains, Grand Opening/Now Open/Utopia/Exposure/Ole Hardwood)
ReplyDeleteMarkChicago with a spot-on post.
ReplyDeleteEvery neighborhood has chains. They're not a sign of the apocalypse.
Come on guys... Better ingredients, better pizza!
ReplyDeleteChains are worldwide, what exactly is the problem here? I think some of the hippie posters on this blog envision a town with nothing but bike lanes, vegan food trucks, and "hope" stickers
ReplyDeletegeesh
Owner here in Printers Row. Right, can't escape chains anywhere, part of life. But, given the choice between a neighborhood filled with local retailers/restaurants and one filled with the usual crapload of crap chains, it's no freakin' contest.
ReplyDeleteAnd absolutely, I am pro-bike lane, pro-food truck, pro-hope.
^^ THEN WE WILL NOT BE TAKING YOUR COMMENT SERIOUSLY
ReplyDeleteThanks Jason.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, I support a healthy mix. The market will figure itself out, don't like it don't eat it.
Great, we all joke about bike lanes but the lack of them in the south loop is appauling! We need to be progressive in our fight against mediocrity and start to outfit this city with a fully functioning realm of real world tools. And yes I voted for obama/cheney so what, and yes I rent so what.
ReplyDelete"obama/cheney"
ReplyDeleteenough said, your rant now makes sense.
Typical statement I usually hear from a "hope" supporter
ReplyDeleteGo away already, youre ruining the country
Owner here since 08....chain or not the bigger issue is the proposed location of Papa John's or any establishment. The corner of Cermak and State si a complete dump. Even after the ICKY-Projects have been torn down, the area is still full of low life vagrants. That whole corner sucks excepte for Reggies.
ReplyDeletethat whole area is a wasteland... i dont care if Ickes are gone or not. Its not like the corner has improved... I always assumed that entire corner including the billboard would just get bulldozed one day so i am perplexed and saddened that papa johnswas told they could lease a spot there. Anyone who thinks this area is anything other than a ghetto street corner full of jaywalking misfits is blind and/or ingnorant.
ReplyDeleteI am a huge advocate for this part of town and agree that the corner of State and Cermak needs to get bulldozed (it is the last standing piece to the puzzle for future development on Cermak). However, I think PappaJohns is moving a couple of blocks north near State/Archer. If they move to that corner, PLEASE DO NOT SUPPORT THEM OR ANY OTHER BUSINESS THAT IS THERE currently. I have to say that in terms of the low lifes that hang out there, it is only a handful of old folks. The area has taken the right steps for future development: Ickes demolished and there are ZERO liquor stores in the area. If you go to W. Chicago Ave near Japonais, it is 100% worse. I use this as a prime example where there are 3 - 5 million dollar single family homes just one block South from there. It's funny what just one bad corner can do.
ReplyDeleteAurillio's pizza is by far the best Pizza around. Located 1st floor of the Holiday Inn near the post office. And they have free carry out/pick-up parking.
ReplyDeleteThank you Steven Reginald for your interesting comments.
ReplyDeleteLove Aurellios in the suburbs but the one inside the Holiday Inn doens't compare. We ate there several years ago and haven't been back but maybe it's worth another shot. As for Papa John's, it's not as good as I remembered from college. We tried the new one on Taylor and were reminded why we like non chain pizza. But, I'll welcome anything to the neighborhood. Let's hope it goes in the area around State/Archer.
ReplyDeletePapa John's is meh. That place is only decent when you live out in the middle of nowhere and there are no better options.
ReplyDeleteI saw this building permit come across: http://chicago.everyblock.com/building-permits/jan13-permit-issued-renovation-alteration-4656270/ and did a little detective work on the city's website - looks like the Papa John's will be at 72 E Cermak (pretty much across the street from Brandi's).
ReplyDelete