Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Custom House to Close After Service Tonight

Custom House (500 S. Dearborn) is closing its doors after seven years (photo via Eater Chicago)
Apparently it's out with the old lately in the Sloop.

Well here's a shocker: Custom House Tavern will close after service on Oct. 31. The news broke on 312 Dining Diva Monday night, but no explanation was given.
Eater finally did get an update from owner, Sue Kim-Drohomyrecky:
She explained that this was something they've been considering for a while since the neighborhood is changing and more students have been moving in. "The hotel wants a sports bar and I don't want to do a sports bar," she said with a laugh. "They don't want a three-star restaurant anymore. I don't want to get into that game with them." Kim-Drohomyrecky said they love Custom House and that the concept may re-emerge in the future. "We may tuck this one away and see if there's an opportunity to do it someplace else. I think our new places are phenomenal and we're going to focus on those. We'll see what happens in a year or so."
So the neighborhood is changing?  Ok, but it seems like there is still a place for a restaurant like Custom House (especially given it's proximity to the Loop).  Seems like an excuse if you ask us.

We imagine that something will replace Custom House in relatively short order.

We've had some solid meals at Custom House, but in reality we aren't going to miss it much.  Every time we've been service has been very spotty and inconsistent.

Anyway, the bigger question we have is what do you think about the assertion that the neighborhood is changing?  And that the hotel wants a sports bar?  Is that what the Sloop wants?  More sports bars (didn't Gino's East just open across the street with the sports bar concept)?

(Hat tip: EW!)