Shake Shack To Chicago Rumors Intensify

By Anthony Todd in Food on Nov 28, 2012 2:30PM

We noted on Monday that Chicago might be getting an outpost of cult burger favorite Shake Shack. The rumored location was in the Harley-Davidson merchandise shop on East Ohio. Crain's got in touch with one of the owners of the shop, who confirmed that he's being pushed out of his location.

Bret Irvine, co-owner of the dealership, said that representatives from the Shops at North Bridge have told him that they won't be renewing his lease at 66 E. Ohio St. when it expires in about 18 months. "They want us to give it up," Mr. Irvine said. "We're open to it, but we haven't found another space.

Shake Shack refused to comment, and a representative from the landlord hadn't commented by the time the story went to press. This definitely seems to indicate that something new is coming to that location, though Harley fans may be annoyed that they're losing their store in favor of some burger joint.

Irvine isn't totally heartbroken; he's looking for a smaller location anyway. But he hasn't found one yet that the Harley-Davidson company approves of.