The upscale convenience store Foxtrot is returning to business, opening its fifth Chicago location Thursday after its former parent company filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy earlier this year.

Outfox Hospitality, the company created in a merger between the convenience store and grocery store Dom’s Kitchen and Market, filed for bankruptcy in April and closed all of its stores in Illinois, Texas and Washington D.C.

The new location is located in the River North neighborhood, according Chicago ABC affiliate WLS.

Foxtrot co-founder Mike LaVitola and private equity and venture capital firm Further Point Enterprises purchased the assets from the bankrupted company for $2.2 million in an auction in May, according to Eater Chicago.

LaVitola told the food outlet in September that the venture plans on reopening "around 15 stores total" in Chicago and Texas. The store had 33 locations before the bankruptcy.

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USA TODAY reached out to LaVitola but did not receive an immediate response.

Illinois Department of Labor seeking backpay for laid off workers

The Illinois Department of Labor announced that it will continue to seek over $3.8 million in back wages and benefits for over 350 workers affected by the April closures on the same day as the reopening.

The department said in a press release that Outfox did not comply with Illinois WARN Act procedures, citing bankruptcy proceedings. A former employee opened a class action lawsuit against the stores the day after the abrupt closings on the same grounds.

The WARN Act requires employers to provide at least 60 days advance written notice of a closure.

The IDOL said that it began its attempt to recover the money through bankruptcy proceedings in September, when Foxtrot locations reopened.

"In cases such as these, the Department is committed to pursuing all legal paths against employers who fail to abide by their obligations under WARN," IDOL Director Jane Flanagan said in the press release.

Chicago has dropped four in a row to fall to an NHL-worst 8-16-2 on the season.

News Partner

By JAY COHEN AP, Sports Writer

CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago Blackhawks fired coach Luke Richardson on Thursday, signaling their frustration with the state of the franchise's rebuilding project.

Chicago has dropped four in a row to fall to an NHL-worst 8-16-2 on the season. It was outscored 41-27 while going 3-9-1 in its last 13 games.

Anders Sorensen was elevated to interim coach. Sorensen had been coaching the team's top minor league affiliate in Rockford.

"Today I made the difficult decision to move on from Luke as our head coach," general manager Kyle Davidson said in a statement. "We thank him for his efforts and contributions to the organization and our community. As we have begun to take steps forward in our rebuilding process, we felt that the results did not match our expectations for a higher level of execution this season and ultimately came to the decision that a change was necessary."

Find out what's happening in Chicagowith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Chicago had expected to be more competitive in Richardson's third season. It signed Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, Alec Martinez and Craig Smith on a busy first day of free agency this summer. It also had Connor Bedard coming back for his second season after winning the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL rookie of the year.

But Bertuzzi and Teravainen have struggled, and Martinez has been hampered by injuries.

Bertuzzi has five goals and five assists in 26 games going into Saturday's matchup with Winnipeg. Teravainen has three goals and two assists in his last 21 games.

Of course, the most important player for Chicago is the 19-year-old Bedard — and it's his lack of production that likely led to Richardson's dismissal.

While the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft has shown some positive developmental signs, the young center has struggled offensively. Bedard stopped a 12-game drought when he scored in a 6-2 victory against Dallas on Nov. 27. He has five goals and 14 assists in 26 games, after he had 11 goals and 10 assists at the same point last season.

"We're not happy with the record, for sure," Richardson said after his last game, a 4-2 loss to Boston on Wednesday night. "The guys are trying to work within the system and the right way and unfortunately, like I said before, we don't seem to have one kind of Achilles' heel. There's not one problem with our team.

"It's like one night there's one area — maybe our defense or our forward or one player — and the next night it's another area, like a different player."

While Chicago has been plagued by a variety of problems, it's clear that offense is its biggest issue. It is averaging 2.42 goals per game, ranked No. 31 in the NHL ahead of only Nashville going into Thursday night's games. The Blackhawks finished with a league-low 178 goals last season.

Richardson, 55, had a 57-118-15 record in Chicago. The former NHL defenseman was an assistant on Montreal's coaching staff when he was hired by the Blackhawks in June 2022. When Dominique Ducharme was diagnosed with COVID-19 during the 2021 playoffs, Richardson took over as coach for six games and helped lead the Canadiens to their first Stanley Cup Final since 1993.

The move comes with Chicago set to host the Winter Classic on Dec. 31 against the St. Louis Blues at Wrigley Field. Shortly before the coaching change was announced, the NHL released a rendering of what the rink will look like at the home of baseball's Chicago Cubs.

Sorensen, 49, is a familiar face for many of the Blackhawks. He was originally hired by the organization as a development coach ahead of the 2013-14 season. He has a 117-89-16-7 record in 229 career AHL games as a head coach, all with Rockford.___AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl

Chicago, IL (December 6, 2024) – A deadly apartment fire claimed the life of a man early Thursday morning in the Brighton Park neighborhood on the Southwest Side of Chicago. The fire broke out at approximately 4:07 AM on Francisco Ave and 45th St, where first responders discovered a man, believed to be in his 60s, unresponsive inside his apartment as the building was engulfed in flames.

Emergency responders rushed the man to Mt. Sinai Hospital, but despite efforts to save him, he was later pronounced dead. The cause of the fire is under investigation, and authorities have yet to release further details about the circumstances surrounding the blaze.

The fire also left four people displaced, with their homes destroyed in the blaze. Those affected by the fire are now facing the daunting challenge of rebuilding their lives, especially with the holiday season approaching. One of the displaced individuals, identified as Garcia, spoke of the struggle to salvage whatever belongings he could, as he faces the frigid temperatures without a permanent home.

The Chicago Fire Department has confirmed that no other injuries were reported, but the damage to the apartment complex was severe. Fire crews worked tirelessly to control the flames and ensure that other residents in the building were safely evacuated.

Apartment Fires in Chicago

Fires in apartment complexes can be especially devastating, as they not only destroy property but also endanger the lives of residents. The incident in Brighton Park serves as a reminder of the importance of fire safety, particularly in densely populated areas where fire can spread quickly. The Chicago Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the blaze, which will help inform safety improvements in the future.

For the displaced residents, this tragedy comes at a time when support and community are crucial. With winter temperatures dropping, the need for immediate housing assistance and relief for those affected is pressing. Local authorities, along with various community organizations, are working to provide temporary shelter and resources for those displaced by the fire.

As the investigation into the cause of the fire continues, residents of Chicago are encouraged to take precautions in their homes, including checking smoke detectors, reviewing fire escape plans, and ensuring fire extinguishers are accessible in case of emergencies.

If you or someone you know has been affected by a fire or other emergency, it's important to seek support and resources to navigate the recovery process.

For continuous updates on this tragic incident and others, stay informed with Local Accident Reports.

This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

SPF Brings the Fast-Growing Raquet Sport to Chicago for Enthusiasts and Beginners to Play During the Winter Months

CHICAGO – SPF, Chicago’s largest indoor pickleball facility, today announced the addition of an indoor padel court to its new winter pop-up location, SPF Winter Fieldhouse, located at 2367 W Logan Blvd. Designed by InstantPadel, SPF’s newest court is the first indoor padel court to open in the city, beginning December 6, giving Chicagoans the opportunity to play one of the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports.

Growing rapidly across the globe and throughout the U.S., padel combines elements of tennis and squash with unique rules and playing style. The game is played on an enclosed court where the ball can bounce off the glass walls, adding an extra layer of excitement and strategy to each match. The court at SPF Winter Fieldhouse is created by InstantPadel, a world-unique modular court solution designed for easy installation and construction, to enhance the padel experience and maximize space for matches. Instructors with Toss & Spin, a local racquet sports agency, will offer “Intro to Padel” and “Play with the Pros” classes for both beginner padel players aiming to develop their game, and advanced padel players looking for a challenge.

“While pickleball remains our primary focus, we’re thrilled to grow our offerings to include padel at our Logan Square location, further expanding Chicagoans’ access to an exhilarating new way to play racquet sports indoors,” said SPF co-founder, Rich Green. “As we continue to build SPF as a vibrant community hub, we’re thrilled to provide our members with this new, unique game that’s fun and accessible to players at any skill or experience level.”

The SPF Winter Fieldhouse pop-up, which opened earlier this month, also houses four new indoor pickleball courts, locker rooms, party rooms and other amenities designed to encourage activity and recreation throughout Chicago’s cooler months. The facility is slated to remain open through Spring 2025, giving the community an extended opportunity to stay active, socialize and "protect their fun" regardless of the weather.

The pop-up location is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., featuring SPF’s signature state-of-the-art courts. Guests can also book this location’s party rooms for private events, with catering options from SPF’s Lincoln Park flagship location that boasts a menu created by celebrated local chefs.

Serving as a recreation, entertainment and community hub, SPF Chicago’s 42,000 square-foot Lincoln Park location regularly hosts events and programming, while offering state-of-the-art guest amenities, food menu, full bars and tap wall, a turf field and much more. For more information or to book courts at either location, please visit www.playspf.com, and follow along on Instagram at @playSPF and sign up for the SPF newsletter to stay up-to-date with programming updates and announcements.

ABOUT SPFSPF launched its flagship facility in January 2024 as Chicago’s largest indoor pickleball facility, providing a tropical getaway in the heart of the city’s Lincoln Park neighborhood. Built on its three core pillars – social, pickleball, fun – SPF’s dining, sports and entertainment concept features state-of-the-art amenities, elevated dining options by Chicago-favorite chefs and robust family programming, serving as a year-round recreation, entertainment and community hub.

The Lincoln Park flagship location, located at 2121 N. Clybourn Ave., is a 42,000 square-foot space featuring 9 dedicated indoor pickleball courts with instant replay technology, a grab-and-go food and coffee bar, self-serve brew tap wall and guest amenities, including spacious locker rooms complete with saunas and showers. Guests can also take advantage of additional games and activities including an indoor turf field, bocce, cornhole, air hockey and more. In November 2024, SPF also launched a four-court pop-up location, SPF Winter Fieldhouse (2367 W Logan Blvd.), bringing SPF’s high-quality pickleball experience to more Chicagoans through the cooler winter months.

Fri, Dec 6, 2024 at 11:00 AM

Blue Bayou, 3734 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL, 60613

More info here

Celebrate the Grand Opening of Blue Bayou Restaurant & Bar!

Blue Bayou Grand Opening This Weekend December 6 - 8

Last Call Tavern Group Revives Old Favorite on Southport

CHICAGO (December 3, 2024) Blue Bayou, located across the street from the Music Box Theatre at 3734 N. Southport, is once again about to become a neighborhood favorite in the Southport Corridor. Blue Bayou closed its doors in 2012 and remained shuttered until 2023 when Alex Zupancic, Owner/CEO of Last Call Tavern Group purchased the real estate.

“Blue Bayou was one of my favorite bars to visit. I am excited to bring the fun and energy of Blue Bayou back to the neighborhood. The Southport Corridor used to be mainly sports bars while currently Southport has morphed into more restaurants. Reopening Blue Bayou will help balance out the restaurant/sports bar ratio,” Zupancic said.

The bar has a New Orleans/Southern flair with an upscale sports bar feel. It features over 30 HD televisions and a state-of-the-art AV system. The second floor has a pool table, Pop-a-Shot, and three dart boards, as well as being a great space for private parties that will hold 100 people.

“I really wanted to bring back the old element of the Southport Corridor bar scene with games and fun on the second floor, and the first floor having more of an appeal towards dining, sports viewing and conversations,” Zupancic added.

Blue Bayou will be open seven days a week, serving lunch and dinner daily and brunch on the weekends. Some of the menu highlights are Jambalaya Soup, Cajun Surf & Turf, Alligator Sausage Po’ Boy, Voodoo Shrimp, Bourbon Bread Pudding and more.

“The grand opening has been a long time coming. We get calls every day to book parties, so we know our neighbors are excited. We can’t wait to welcome them this weekend,” Zupancic said.

Last Call Tavern Group also operates several other popular neighborhood establishments, including The Butcher’s Tap, just down the street from Blue Bayou, The Reveler (Roscoe Village), Willie Lill’s (Lincoln Park), Rebel & Rye (River West), Trace (Wrigleyville), Duffy’s Tavern & Grille (Lincoln Park) and co-owns Clover Sports & Leisure in River West and Lincoln Park.