Chicagoist: Grocer, Restaurant, Trendy-in-the-'90s "Surf" Store Opening on State

I_h8_toyota_and_BT

Wed, 21 May 2008 15:39:16 -0600

fox and obel is super lame. billawhat? screw australia. you might as well put a ronjon surf shop in. and flat top grill is about as exciting as mcdonald's. what's next? hot topic?

MarkMark

Wed, 21 May 2008 10:20:44 -0600

Fox & Obel - OK, but I was hoping for Jewel or Safewaynicks. Flattop Grill - ick.

vit

Wed, 21 May 2008 10:15:56 -0600

I'm happy to hear about a grocery store store downtown, I just wish it were a more affordable one. However, I have no clue about Billabong as I've never been in one, but then again, I've never really been into 'athletic' clothing.

JimMcKay

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:39:03 -0600

Anyone know if Fox and Obel is going into the prominent State and Madison corner spot at the main entrance? Or is it going elsewhere? The leases announced total something like only 10% of the square footage of the 250,000 space in the former Carson's store that will be retained as retail. The other 350,000 square feet that was Carson's will have other uses. To put it in perspective, the Fox & Obel will be about the size of one of the Walgreen's drug stores in the Loop. As some others in other forums have asked, I wonder if something else bigger will go in the remaining space. And does Fox and Obel's placement rule out any other big stores? For instance, Lord and Taylor at Water Tower was about 60,000 square feet. Three of those could fit in the remaining retail space at 1 S State. Of course, with State Street being geared towards bargain stores these days, it wouldn't be surprising if Lord and Taylor or Von Maur were offered the space and turned it down because of demographics.

RalphWiggum

Wed, 21 May 2008 09:13:51 -0600

Billabong stores across the country (NYC and South Beach being two great examples) actually carry some pretty well designed clothing in terms of shorts and shirts, far besting what places like Macy's would sell in terms of hipness, price and quality. They're not nearly as passe as you folks are making it out to be. If I were looking for a nice pair of board shorts (i.e. the type of swim trunks men wear nowadays, regardless of the lack of Lake Michigan "boarding" being done in them ;), that'd be the first place I'd go.

jbud

Wed, 21 May 2008 06:10:31 -0600

this area desperately needs a grocery store with a produce section. yay F&O!

Greedo

Wed, 21 May 2008 03:06:27 -0600

More than half of Billabong's sales are in the US. Fox & Obel. . . Yes! Flat Top Grill. . . No!

lulu

Wed, 21 May 2008 01:31:08 -0600

Billabong is HUGE among Aussies (and Kiwis for that matter) But I haven't seen anyone in the States wearing their apparel in years. Maybe they're hoping for some retro-cool thing.

Ingrid

Tue, 20 May 2008 17:24:01 -0600

The last time I went to a Flat Top Grill was about 5 years ago and the reason it was the last time was because some little brat put her dirty little hands into the rice cooker, took out a handfull of rice, shoved it into her mouth and then repeated that process several times, all while her parents did nothing. I guess they thought we all love their Precious just as much as they do. I mentioned this to the management and they didn't seem concerned either. Not much of a sacrifice though because I don't think their food is good. Different foods need different cooking times, and you just can't put everything into one bowl and then throw it all in together to be sauteed at the same time. In my opinion, that just doesn't work. But I'm in the minority it seems...that place does pretty good business. I'll never go back though.

dearyou

Tue, 20 May 2008 15:17:42 -0600

Billabong is a HUUUUGE company, publicly listed on the Australian stock exchange, that owns a ton of action-sports-type (i.e. skate/snow/surf) brands that still sell extremely well to people under 30.

claimtofame

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:58:20 -0600

I have never heard of Billabong. Whatever. Excited about Fox & Obel, though...their current location isn't so convenient for me.

The Meteorologist

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:40:59 -0600

Billabong in Chicago? Really? Is it for the tubular waves on Lake Michigan? GNARLY. Hey, Chicagoist, hope you guys had fun on Saturday at the Hideout. I wanted to go too, my friend Steve was spinning, but plans fell apart at the last minute. Would have been cool to meet some of you guys!

peteypants

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:40:59 -0600

flat-top is good, but way overrated. i say they should put another rock & roll mcdonald's. i'm just as confused about billabong as everyone else...they might as well open up an airwalk or bugle boy store.

matty

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:37:38 -0600

The Fox and Obel is a great idea.

Tower18

Tue, 20 May 2008 14:17:32 -0600

I think Billabong is still fairly "in" out west.