Latest news with #WintrustArena
Eater
24-06-2025
- Business
- Eater
South Loop's Two-Year Wait for the Southern Ends Today
Their dream began just about two years ago. Chef Xavier Vance and his business partner Troy Vivrett first shared the plan to open Southern Chicago via social media, declaring their restaurant as set to open in summer 2023. Two years later, the sprawling venue finally opened on Tuesday, June 24, at 2000 S. Wabash in the South Loop. Vance says they've gutted and renovated the 10,000-square-foot building, splicing soul food with an upscale steakhouse, a departure from the ownership's initial vision, which focused on brunch, cocktails, and contemporary Southern cuisine. The journey hasn't been easy for the entrepreneurs, and their vision has expanded over the last two years.'My business partner and I have been winging this project ourselves,' Vance says. 'It is our first restaurant.' Even without additional investors, Vance says he and Vivrett took over an additional 2,000 square feet of neighboring space: 'We also had to do an entire build-out on our own, and that caused an additional leg of permits that we had to go through,' Vance says. 'So that was a massive delay and altered our original timeline.' The work and wait, Vance says, will be worth it as after the expansion, Southern Chicago is now equipped to be a fine dining restaurant with an outdoor patio and private space for personal and corporate events. Ownership wants to lure patrons from nearby Wintrust Arena, Soldier Field, and McCormick Place. In a city that's thoroughly familiar with soul food, Vance's concept is to elevate traditional expectations into a more elegant experience. 'The concept of the restaurant is a Southern American steakhouse,' Vance says. 'We really want to emphasize that… sometimes when people are thinking of a restaurant that has the word southern or South, it's just strictly soul food, and that is not the case here.' Menu items include a wagyu burger, tomahawk steaks, seafood platters, and sides like braised collards and baked macaroni. Vance's background as a well-established professional caterer with culinary training from the Illinois Institute of Art prepared him to meet this moment. Years of event catering showed him what was missing from Chicago's scene, and what could set Southern Chicago apart. 'We want to give the people a fine dining experience from the moment they enter — from our host to our service, to our pastry chef, and the food quality,' Vance says. 'We want people to feel all the sweat and tears over the years that Troy and I have put into this project, because it was not easy.' The goal is to eventually offer lunch and brunch, but right now, in their initial opening, the plan is to focus on perfecting their dinner service. They've built a team that gives Vance confidence in what's to come. With nearby establishments like Oliver's and Apolonia carving out their own high-end niche at the southern end of the South Loop, this could mean new potential for the neighborhood. Southern Chicago will be one of the largest establishments in the area. 'I'm excited to be able to also give the city the versatility in having both a fine dining restaurant and also an event space.' Living in the Gold Coast and River North areas showed Vance and Vivrett a world of possibilities. 'Thinking of like, a Tavern on Rush or Gibsons — you know — myself and my partner lived in those neighborhoods for a number of years, and we enjoyed those dining aspects. And this should be in every part of the city… including the South Loop, because the area deserves it.' Southern Chicago, 2000 S. Wabash, Chicago, open from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Wednesday; 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday to Saturday, and 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Sunday. See More: Bars Chicago Restaurant News Chicago Restaurant Openings
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sky's Angel Reese arrives in style for Mercury showdown
The post Sky's Angel Reese arrives in style for Mercury showdown appeared first on ClutchPoints. Chicago Sky forward Angel Reese has expressed a strong desire to evolve her game and become a more versatile player, and that ambition was reflected through the triple-double she posted in last Sunday's road win versus the Connecticut Sun, but she also understands the brand component of her WNBA career. Advertisement The double-double machine has actively built a large following dating back to her time at LSU, knowing full well the benefits of connecting with fans beyond the court. She fully welcomes the opportunity to be both a basketball star and prominent pop culture figure, hence her pregame fashion shows this season. Reese put on her model face upon entering Wintrust Arena, posing for the camera man ahead of the Sky's Saturday afternoon showdown with the Phoenix Mercury. The league-leader in rebounds sported a leopard printed headscarf, camouflage shorts and multiple accessories, hours before squaring off with the team that currently owns the third-best record in the WNBA. Reese's outfits are becoming a part of her aforementioned brand. She drew attention with an all-black look at Chicago's June 7 clash with the Indiana Fever and is again commanding attention online with her most recent attire. Angel Reese can help the WNBA broaden its reach If a league wants to become truly successful, it need a hook that goes beyond the competition itself. Yes, superb athletes and an enjoyable product fuel the engine, but transcendent star power is required to boost it to the next gear. Just look at the 2025 NBA Finals. Two exciting teams vying for their first championship — the reigning MVP leads one and possibly the most clutch player in the game today leads the other. And yet, ABC's viewership numbers are down from last year. Great hoops and on-court suspense alone is clearly not enough these days. Advertisement The WNBA recognizes this, too, which is why it wants to market its presentation around the Caitlin Clark-Angel Reese rivalry. More so, the W is clearly focused on highlighting some of its biggest personalities. Reese, in addition to the All-Star-level impact she has had in the early portion of her career, has the power to connect with young people in a different way. Bringing in a new audience that is not currently invested in the women's game is a top priority, and regardless of how basketball junkies feel, these grand fashion entrances generate buzz in both the WNBA and NBA. The focus has shifted to the action now, however. Reese and the Sky (3-8) are desperate for a signature win this year, but she and Kamilla Cardoso must contend with an imposing Mercury frontcourt that consists of Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas. Chicago trails 58-43 at halftime. Advertisement Related: Angel Reese drops 'Mebound' clothing line amid online backlash Related: Angel Reese's 4-word message to ex-LSU teammate after breakout game
Washington Post
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Washington Post
With record crowd watching, Sky get blown out by Fever in first WNBA game at United Center
CHICAGO — Chicago Sky coach Tyler Marsh recalled working the 2020 NBA All-Star game at the United Center when he was an assistant with the Toronto Raptors. He mentioned that his first experience at a WNBA All-Star game was also in Chicago — two years later at Wintrust Arena. 'It's been cool moments,' Marsh said.
