Wicker Park's Double Door Location Could Be Sold To Investment Firm

By Tankboy in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 7, 2016 5:15PM

Double Door's future in its current space in Wicker Park is still uncertain, but things are looking bleak.

Brian Strauss, the owner of Double Door's building, quietly accepted an "affidavit of interest" from downtown investment firm Speedwagon Properties last month, according to DNAinfo. DNAinfo also says a Shake Shack is rumored to be eyeing the location for its Chicago expansion, but no details have been confirmed.

News that Strauss is looking to unload the property could be problematic for Double Door, and appears to be the primary motivator for their lease not being renewed and why owners weren't accepting rent payments from the club.

It would also explain why the club owners and supporters have been silent during this process, in stark contrast to the community uproar that followed the club's possible eviction in 2005. At that time the venue was facing landlord desires to find new tenants, and the final decision was influenced by a large show of community support and eleventh hour compromises. So it was worthwhile for the club to try and publicly rally supportive people.

This time around the threat isn't merely eviction, but purchase by an investment firm who may already have plans for the venue's current space, creating an issue that is being fought on strictly legal ground since public support would have no sway on plans already set into motion. This could change the integrity of this whole stretch of businesses along Damen and Milwaukee.

One Off Hospitality already owns Big Star, Dove's Luncheonette and has plans to take over the space vacated by Francesca's Forno. Originally we thought this would be a great development, since One Off has deep, longtime Wicker Park roots and their restaurants flanking Double Door felt natural.

However with news of the building's potential sale, that opens up the possibility the new owners will have less of an interest in supporting a longtime component of the city's music and cultural scene, and perhaps focus on making a few quick bucks off a new tenant. We'll just have to wait and see.