Andersonville Chipotle? -- Latest Chain Appears Poised for Clark St. Location

Andersonville Chipotle? — Latest Chain Appears Poised for Clark St. Location

We are hearing reports that Chipotle is poised to open its first location in Andersonville at 5001 N Clark Street in the building that once housed Winston's Internet Cafe and before that Clarks on Clark bar. The location is on the same corner as Sofo Bar at the corner of Clark and Argyle.

If it proves to be true, Chipotle's Mexican Grill would be the second chain this week to be moving onto the Andersonville strip with Forever Yogurt announcing they were moving into the former Paper Trail.

There appears to be a pick up of action occurring on Clark Street -- but with skyrocketing rents, it appears that only chain corporations can afford our quaint local neighborhood anymore. Since rents tend to be a bit lower south of Foster, it's a shame that a local business couldn't grab that space to break into Andersonville -- instead a national chain is going to take up the spot. It sure seems as though national chains are forcing their way into Andersonville. What are your thoughts?

13 Responses to "Andersonville Chipotle? — Latest Chain Appears Poised for Clark St. Location"

By Jackie January 29, 2012 at 9:17 am

There is a huge swath of Clark St. with no mexican food. seems like a smart move to me.
Ombra, and the upcoming Jerry’s opening are 2 locally-owned businesses who are investing heavily in Andersonville.
What IS important to me as a resident, is to keep the taste level of these storefronts under control. For instance, the huge golden arches at the north side of Andersonville will forever mar the hood with ugliness.
Other than that, I welcome Chipotle to the hood.

By Jeffrey Littleton January 29, 2012 at 10:57 am

Chipotle is actually the only chain restaurant I like.

Winston’s was such a dud, poorly run, bad coffee, annoying music.

Progress is progress, at least you still have the Village Thrift and Lincoln Towing on that stretch.

By Long Time Resident January 29, 2012 at 10:02 pm

“Forcing their way?” So a few local businesses can’t hack it, a few national chains take up the slack and now they are FORCING their way into our neighborhood? Get over it. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 15 years, and it has continually changed. Stop fighting it portraying the past as some romantic time of yesteryear.

Maybe discuss the peaceful co-existence of the old and the new, instead of pitting them against one another?

And maybe start hassling the jerks who don’t spend any money to keep their neighborhood nice (e.g. Alamo Shoes). Those are the folks that make Andersonville and ugly place to live.

By R. Johnson January 29, 2012 at 10:44 pm

Hate the fact that chains are gaining hold but it doesn’t appear that the business community nor the community in general really give a crap about keeping Andersonville a haven for independent business. Chains are only ones that can afford the rent anymore. Everyone will bitch & complain once Clark Street looks like Schaumburg. And then it’ll be too late.

By Jorge February 3, 2012 at 10:33 am
Actually, I think R Johnson will be the first to bitch and complain in the future.
Given vacant storefronts or chain restaraunts, give me chain restaraunts.
I for one am sick of people that choose to live in a densely populated metropolitan area and then constantly complain that it doesn’t have that “small town ” feel. All this crap people keep writing about comparing it to Schaumburg is a gross exageration. They aren’t putting in a 500,000 square foot Ikea and they aren’t extending the Kennedy down Clark St. It is a 3000 square foot burrito store. Besides, if you don’t like Chipotle moving in, just don’t eat there. If the majority of the neighborhood agrees with you, they will go out of business anyway right?

By Rupert January 29, 2012 at 11:05 pm

“Forcing their way”? What force is being exerted here? Your statement indicates a number of other businesses have attempted to make a go of it at that location and all have failed. Chipotle’s will be local, employing locals, serving locals and presumably paying local taxes. I’d rather see a corporation in there offering a quality product than another pathetic, poorly run, ill-concieved, amateurish excuse for a business. There are still plenty of good small businesses operating in our quaint neighborhood with local ownership. Welcome to the neighborhood Chipotle’s!

By Mark January 30, 2012 at 9:16 am

Property taxes go up, the cost of living goes up therefore rent goes up and the places that can afford the rent will lease these places.

By Mark January 30, 2012 at 9:44 am

I love this idea! We really don’t have any good burrito places here in Aville yet. Its a great space for that and a perfect spot for Chipotle.

By Boba Fett February 1, 2012 at 11:44 am

Great! Chipotle is welcomed with open arms! I would dare call ANYONE a liar if they said they didn’t like Chipotle! COME ON! What are these “local” business bringing to Andersonville? There are soo many empty storefronts, it’s sad. How many more “boutique furniture” shops would you like?

We’re getting POP Hair salon where that absoute freak cut hair BADLY FOR 5 (?) years.

AND since we’re known as a “Gay” community, are any BETTER Gay bars slated to move in? Yes, I like going to bars…gay or straight..we’ve ALWAYS heard this was the next Boystown (and I dont mean for faux-hawk twinks). Is it? As far as bars, we have @mosphere, which smells like a urinal cake from the street and has a staff of …uhm…yucky assholes, that are BEYOND cliquish and need to check into Lakeshore rehab down the street. Kelly? Not really a bartender, is she? According to her, she’s the Rachel Zoe of porn. Who cares? She’s a shaved Wookie and need a GOOD mood elevator.

My point IS, Aville can be so much more if someone would have major surgery to take the stick out of their ass. So many people I know are either ready to move to Rogers Park or back to Boystown. Really?

That’s all.

By Colleen O'Toole February 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm

As of Monday, January 30th, the most current information we have indicates that the landlord has no present or short-term plans for the space at 5001 N Clark other than to improve the existing infrastructure. The landlord also indicated the space is not presently being marketed for lease. - Andersonville Development Corporation

By Jon February 2, 2012 at 10:15 am

I personally am fine with Chipotle. Some people might be offended by this but I’m ok with the casual fast food places (Corner Bakery, Chipotle, Panera). I’m not ok with Wendys, White Castle, Popeyes.

Also, I like Chipotle but calling it Mexian food is a bit of a strech even though I get your point.

By Forever Yogurt to Replace Paper Trail « Forever Yogurt™ February 8, 2012 at 11:11 am

[...] is a link to the article. andersonville store [...]

By FY Mentioned in the Andersonville Daily « Forever Yogurt™ February 8, 2012 at 11:26 am

[...] for the article here. andersonville store [...]

By Jackie January 29, 2012 at 9:17 am
There is a huge swath of Clark St. with no mexican food. seems like a smart move to me.
Ombra, and the upcoming Jerry’s opening are 2 locally-owned businesses who are investing heavily in Andersonville.
What IS important to me as a resident, is to keep the taste level of these storefronts under control. For instance, the huge golden arches at the north side of Andersonville will forever mar the hood with ugliness.
Other than that, I welcome Chipotle to the hood.
By Jeffrey Littleton January 29, 2012 at 10:57 am
Chipotle is actually the only chain restaurant I like.
Winston’s was such a dud, poorly run, bad coffee, annoying music.
Progress is progress, at least you still have the Village Thrift and Lincoln Towing on that stretch.
By Long Time Resident January 29, 2012 at 10:02 pm
“Forcing their way?” So a few local businesses can’t hack it, a few national chains take up the slack and now they are FORCING their way into our neighborhood? Get over it. I’ve been in this neighborhood for 15 years, and it has continually changed. Stop fighting it portraying the past as some romantic time of yesteryear.
Maybe discuss the peaceful co-existence of the old and the new, instead of pitting them against one another?
And maybe start hassling the jerks who don’t spend any money to keep their neighborhood nice (e.g. Alamo Shoes). Those are the folks that make Andersonville and ugly place to live.
By R. Johnson January 29, 2012 at 10:44 pm
Hate the fact that chains are gaining hold but it doesn’t appear that the business community nor the community in general really give a crap about keeping Andersonville a haven for independent business. Chains are only ones that can afford the rent anymore. Everyone will bitch & complain once Clark Street looks like Schaumburg. And then it’ll be too late.
- By Jorge February 3, 2012 at 10:33 am
  Actually, I think R Johnson will be the first to bitch and complain in the future.
  Given vacant storefronts or chain restaraunts, give me chain restaraunts.
  I for one am sick of people that choose to live in a densely populated metropolitan area and then constantly complain that it doesn’t have that “small town ” feel. All this crap people keep writing about comparing it to Schaumburg is a gross exageration. They aren’t putting in a 500,000 square foot Ikea and they aren’t extending the Kennedy down Clark St. It is a 3000 square foot burrito store. Besides, if you don’t like Chipotle moving in, just don’t eat there. If the majority of the neighborhood agrees with you, they will go out of business anyway right?
By Rupert January 29, 2012 at 11:05 pm
“Forcing their way”? What force is being exerted here? Your statement indicates a number of other businesses have attempted to make a go of it at that location and all have failed. Chipotle’s will be local, employing locals, serving locals and presumably paying local taxes. I’d rather see a corporation in there offering a quality product than another pathetic, poorly run, ill-concieved, amateurish excuse for a business. There are still plenty of good small businesses operating in our quaint neighborhood with local ownership. Welcome to the neighborhood Chipotle’s!
By Mark January 30, 2012 at 9:16 am
Property taxes go up, the cost of living goes up therefore rent goes up and the places that can afford the rent will lease these places.
By Mark January 30, 2012 at 9:44 am
I love this idea! We really don’t have any good burrito places here in Aville yet. Its a great space for that and a perfect spot for Chipotle.
By Boba Fett February 1, 2012 at 11:44 am
Great! Chipotle is welcomed with open arms! I would dare call ANYONE a liar if they said they didn’t like Chipotle! COME ON! What are these “local” business bringing to Andersonville? There are soo many empty storefronts, it’s sad. How many more “boutique furniture” shops would you like?
We’re getting POP Hair salon where that absoute freak cut hair BADLY FOR 5 (?) years.
AND since we’re known as a “Gay” community, are any BETTER Gay bars slated to move in? Yes, I like going to bars…gay or straight..we’ve ALWAYS heard this was the next Boystown (and I dont mean for faux-hawk twinks). Is it? As far as bars, we have @mosphere, which smells like a urinal cake from the street and has a staff of …uhm…yucky assholes, that are BEYOND cliquish and need to check into Lakeshore rehab down the street. Kelly? Not really a bartender, is she? According to her, she’s the Rachel Zoe of porn. Who cares? She’s a shaved Wookie and need a GOOD mood elevator.
My point IS, Aville can be so much more if someone would have major surgery to take the stick out of their ass. So many people I know are either ready to move to Rogers Park or back to Boystown. Really?
That’s all.
By Colleen O'Toole February 1, 2012 at 12:17 pm
As of Monday, January 30th, the most current information we have indicates that the landlord has no present or short-term plans for the space at 5001 N Clark other than to improve the existing infrastructure. The landlord also indicated the space is not presently being marketed for lease. - Andersonville Development Corporation
By Jon February 2, 2012 at 10:15 am
I personally am fine with Chipotle. Some people might be offended by this but I’m ok with the casual fast food places (Corner Bakery, Chipotle, Panera). I’m not ok with Wendys, White Castle, Popeyes.
Also, I like Chipotle but calling it Mexian food is a bit of a strech even though I get your point.
By Forever Yogurt to Replace Paper Trail « Forever Yogurt™ February 8, 2012 at 11:11 am
[...] is a link to the article. andersonville store [...]
By FY Mentioned in the Andersonville Daily « Forever Yogurt™ February 8, 2012 at 11:26 am
[...] for the article here. andersonville store [...]