We miss DNAinfo Chicago

Me with DNAinfo reporter/producer Patty Wetli and editors Andrew Hermann and Shamus Toomy

I was able to host a thank you party for our local DNAinfo Chicago reporter and producer Patty Wetli and associates a couple weeks ago. The hyper-local journal was suddenly shut down in November by its owner. We gathered at Empirical Brewery 1801 W Foster in Lincoln Square with friends who appreciated Patty's DNAinfo reporting. I personally owe a huge debt particularly to their real estate related reporting around the city.

Follow the former DNA journalists, editors and producers for their next chapter. These are just a handful of of folks who brought us the news we could use every day.
@aherrmann350
@stoomey  
@pattywetli 
@tedcoxchicago
@mina_bloom_
@DNA_WPB

Empirical Brewery taproom opens, adds to the Ravenswood/ Andersonville buzz

We stopped by the newly opened Empirical Brewery taproom on Saturday.  The warehouse location on industrial 1801 West Foster (at Ravenswood) retains a gritty feel.  The $2.00 tasters were a great way to start off  birthday dinner.

We are able to walk down to the new taproom just a few blocks from our Lincoln Square/ Ravenswood neighborhood on the way to North Clark Street in Andersonville. The drinking and restaurant choices are really outstanding from all the Lincoln Square/ Edgewater/ Uptown Community Areas that border the Empirical location including Bowmanville, Ravenswood and Andersonville.

We headed to Bar Ombra in Andersonville for dinner after Empirical. We've  lived near the Andersonville "downtown" over 10 years and it keeps evolving.

Condo sales near Ravenswood and Foster
About 70 condo units have sold in a four block radius around the new Empirical Brewery taproom and West Foster and North Ravenswood.  Units and prices are very diverse.  Prices range from a one bedrooms in the low $100s to new construction 3 bedrooms well over $500,000.  The median price of a sold condo in the area is about $300,000.