Friday, April 6, 2012

Gino's East to Replace Edwardo's in Printers Row

We will keep the retail theme going for this week thanks to an email from a reader that referred us to a post from Eater Chicago stating that a new concept from Gino's East will be replacing the old Edwardo's at 521 S. Dearborn:
Edwardo's Natural Pizza, which closed its Printers Row location a few weeks ago after about 25 years, is currently undergoing a major transformation and will emerge as a new, more localized version of Gino's East. An upscale sports bar will open in about six to eight weeks in the historic landmark building.

Both restaurants are owned and operated by Bravo Restaurants, which also operates the recently made over Eduardo's Enoteca. Noah Himmel is behind the renovation and wants to offer a place for locals who don't want to stand in an hour-long line with the many tourists who frequent the Downtown locations. "I'm trying to develop the concept that'll be more localized and fits in the community where it's placed," Himmel said. "We're doing that by changing the decor and the food and beverage program to fit within the neighborhood."
Seems like a good idea and something that would work well in this stretch. It still amazes us that Dearborn isn't more of a booming retail stretch for this neighborhood. It seems like such an enticing retail corridor. Maybe rents are too high?

(Image from Eater Chicago)

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Rents are definitely too high.

FitGuy said...

TRY THE SALADS

Anonymous said...

Too bad, I had hoped for version of their Gold Coast wine bar that opened last winter on Dearborn. It's a great spot with good food and also serves as a carry out/delivery spot for the regular Edwardo's pizza. I'm not sure this area needs ANOTHER sports bar considering Hackney's and Bar Louie are a block away.

ALS said...

I can't wait! Gino's East is my favorite Chicago pizza!

Urban Politician said...

whoever said Gino's is a sports bar is an idiot.

Jim in the Sloop said...

Well, there goes that. I was also hoping for a version of the wine bar concept. Someplace casual to hang out with a glass of wine and some nosh without having to endure sports blaring on the big screen TVS. Another missed opportunity.

Also, add Kasey's to the Sports bar list, and Blackies is right around the corner.

Anonymous said...

Skeptical that the pizza quality will fall into the realm of the majority of franchises around the city... this area really needs more taverns, hopefully Geno's will keep the bar and the restaurant separated in a way to make them interesting.

Anonymous said...

I prefer no graffiti like the original Gino's east downtown. Hopefully they will not let that happen.

Anonymous said...

Hey Urban Politician...the article says Gino's East is creating a sports bar like concept, obviously everyone knows the current Gino's concept is pizza, not a sports bar.

mnjoe said...

Hackney's, Bar Louie, and Blackies aren't sports bars.

Anonymous said...

omg i loooove Gino's. Even their frozen stuff from the store is great hahahahaha

Anonymous said...

They opened Friday evening (June 8) the day before the Book Fair. I really liked the renovations. (They opened *all* the French doors onto Dearborn!) The menu is unique for the location -- it's not the same menu as other Gino's East locations.