Six New Businesses Coming to Bryn Mawr
EDGEWATER—Alderwoman Leni Manaa-Hoppenworth is excited to welcome six new businesses to the Bryn Mawr business corridor: Hamburger Mary’s, Fried Egg Cafe, Solar Intentions, Transistor Chicago, Poet Ape Productions, and Andersonville Mindfulness & Psychology.
“The double whammy of the pandemic and the Red Line construction really hurt our small businesses in the 48th ward. The Bryn Mawr business corridor was nearly unrecognizable from the thriving business district that we once took for granted,” Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth said. “I chose an office space on Bryn Mawr to make sure our entire team was focused on the revitalization of this important corridor. Working in collaboration with the Edgewater Chamber and the Uptown Business Center, we’re starting to see the results of that work.”
One of the businesses that will soon make its home on Bryn Mawr is Hamburger Mary’s, a bar and grille known for good food, drag shows, and other events. Hamburger Mary’s — which had to close its Andersonville location during the pandemic — will be taking over the space at 1055 W Bryn Mawr which previously housed Edgewater Mexican Cafe.
Businesses currently working on leases and build-outs on the Bryn Mawr business corridor include:
Hamburger Mary’s (1055 W Bryn Mawr)
Fried Egg Cafe (1039 W Bryn Mawr): a cozy breakfast and brunch spot;
Solar Intentions (1056 W Bryn Mawr), an astrology themed dry bar;
Transistor Chicago (1058 W Bryn Mawr); an art gallery and gift shop moving from its home in Roscoe Village;
Poet Ape Productions (1124 W Bryn Mawr), a unique and eclectic theatre company; and
Andersonville Mindfulness & Psychology (5600 N Ridge), a trauma-informed and LGBTQ+ affirmative mental health clinic.
Since the pandemic, the Bryn Mawr business corridor welcomed:
Sip & Savor (1070 W Bryn Mawr)
Dulce de Leche (1127 W Bryn Mawr)
All Meal Prep (1100 W Bryn Mawr)
Gold Scissors (1064 W Bryn Mawr)
Blowfish (1130 W Bryn Mawr)
Edgewater Candles (1050 W Bryn Mawr)
Hooked on Fish (1036 W Bryn Mawr)
7th District Office (1040 W Bryn Mawr)
48th Ward Office (1129 W Bryn Mawr)
“Bryn Mawr was well positioned for this revitalization,” said Gina Caruso, commercial real estate broker and urban planner with The Lord Companies, LLC, who leased space to seven of the new businesses and represented two landlords. “Bryn Mawr has the walkability and the charm of locally-owned businesses, but with more affordable rent rates than other nearby commercial corridors.”
This new business development is occurring in tandem with the final stages of Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) construction — including the new Bryn Mawr Red Line station — which the ward office and Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) expect will open this summer and bring increased foot traffic to Bryn Mawr.
“We are already starting to see more foot traffic on Bryn Mawr and more of our small businesses are stabilizing. We’re thrilled to welcome these new businesses to fill our empty storefronts, and this is just the beginning” Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth said.
In addition to the pending completion of new RPM stations, Ald. Manaa-Hoppenworth has submitted a series of zoning ordinances as part of the Broadway Land Use Plan to streamline small business development on Bryn Mawr and along the Redline. The Plan is designed to support the success and expansion of existing businesses, streamline the establishment of new local businesses, and encourage pedestrian oriented development, which attracts more foot traffic and customers to the neighborhood.
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