Results tagged “magmile”

The Hershey's store on the Magnificent Mile was robbed by two men, at least one of whom was armed, on Thursday night. The incident occurred just after 10:30 p.m. Two employees were in the store at the time but neither was harmed during the robbery. An undetermined amount of cash was taken and police don't have detailed descriptions of either robber. Though chances are they're the ones wandering around with pockets full of Hershey Kisses.

The Greater North Michigan Avenue Association wants us all to “Feel Magnificent,” and this month apparently that means knocking back the bubbly. Throughout February, businesses on the Magnificent Mile and its surrounding area have been serving champagne to diners and shoppers all along the Avenue, which means we have T minus 7 days to score some free (or reduced) sparkling goodness. The Mag Mile web site can fill you in on everywhere that’s filling flutes, but here are our suggestions on where to stop along your own personal “Champagne Crawl.”

If you've tried to make travel arrangements to Europe lately, you know first hand that the U.S. dollar is sucking wind compared to the Euro -- as of today's exchange rate the Euro is worth a whopping 47% more than the dollar. And don't think Europeans haven't noticed -- they're bringing that "free money" and empty suitcases to the Mag Mile and loading them up with Burberry and Hershey's chocolate. The Tribune reports that international tourists are flocking to Chicago: the number of overseas visitors rose by 8% in 2007, compared to no increase in 2006. So if you find yourself pushing your way through even more camera and shopping bag toting throngs along Michigan Avenue, that's why. And forget about getting a table at The Cheesecake Factory. Can't say we blame them -- we would be shipping our asses off to the ru du Faubourg Saint-Honore if the situation were reversed.

Flurries possible tonight, but this weekend shouldn't be too, too chilly. Which is good because there's a ton of fun stuff going on tomorrow: Paula Deen has two live shows at the Chicago Theater tomorrow. BYO sticks of butter, we're guessing. Tickets start at $45 and are still available for both the 11am and 4pm shows. Not in the mood for angioplasty? Head over to the DIY Trunk Show, at Pulaski Park auditorium. We're starting...

The Mississippi county where Emmet Till was murdered issued an official apology today. One of Till's relatives, who attended the ceremony, said, "Back in 1955, Tallahatchie County did nothing to help us. This is all they can do, and we appreciate it and accept." Mississippi State Senator Dave Jordan, who's trying to pass a bill getting the entire state to apologize, said "Mississippi once had a clean dress on, but her underclothes were dirty....

Ah, yes. First Turd Blossom, now Fredo. Yup, we're dancing a jig this evening. Are Cubs fans still waiting to exhale? Illinois' number one team - don't believe us, check the map - is only two games back. Billy Corgan will say anything to promote Zeitgeist. One viewing of this video and you'll say to yourself that at least the Chicago Public Schools aren't that bad. Illinoisans have more to love. Video of Frank...

The Stew is reporting that River North restaurant Graze is closing after a mere six months of business. We are sad to say goodbye to Graze because we generally thought Chef Bob Zrenner was a likable person with an interesting vision of fine dining for what was essentially three blocks off the Mag Mile. When we interviewed him in January he told us, "Small plates bring that high level of cuisine to people on a...

One of the reasons we feel fortunate living on the south side is when we want to visit a nearby neighborhood, we can do so with relative ease via bicycle. We're a couple minutes away from Pilsen. Bronzeville is a few pedals from the house. Hyde Park is a quick ten minutes via the lakefront bike path. We've even found great West Indian cooking in Englewood en route to Beverly via Damen Avenue and...

There's about to be some empty spaces on North Michigan Avenue, the likes of which haven't been seen on the Magnificent Mile for 15 years. Lord & Taylor will soon shutter the doors at its Water Tower Place location, and it will be 2008 before American Girl Place moves from its current spot on Chicago to take over a portion of the space. With CompUSA closing up shop on Chicago as well, retail vacancy for...

The latest in a string of new gadget peddlers will be making themselves a new home on Chicago's Magnificent Mile.

Chicagoist has been preparing for the introductory sommelier course and exam in the fall. In addition to being daunting, we've found our studies to be a little, um ... let's be generous and say "haughty" 'cause we don't know who may be reading, okay? So we took a break from taking notes on "other wines of Mediterranean basin" - that really is part of the course syllabus - to read Janet Rausa Fuller's article in...

The trees along North Michigan Ave. have been light up for more than 40 years, signifying the official start of the holiday season in Chicago. Today the festival starts at Pioneer Court (at the Equitable building) at 11 am with Disney characters putting on a stage show (the above photo was taken yesterday when they were setting up the stage). All day long there will be carollers, food, activities for the kids, dancers & tumblers, charitable events, and even a little petting zoo. Then at 6pm the procession begins.

Chicagoist's heart swells with pride and admiration this morning as the winners of the 2005 James Beard Foundation Awards were handed out last night, and taking home this year's prize for Best Chef in the Midwest is Chicago's Tony Mantuano, executive chef of Spiaggia. It's about time Mantuano brings this coveted award to Spiaggia's One Mag Mile home. This year's nomination was his fourth, and he's long been one of the most acclaimed and...

After a rainy, rotten week, Chicagoist is counting down the minutes to the weekend. All that junk about "cellar door" being the most beautiful phrase in the English language? Buh-buh-buh-bullshit. Try "it's Friday." Or "my treat." Or "open bar." Really anything that involves a) not working and b) recreation. To the Batcave! Um, check that, to…the newspaper listings!