Comments on: Wine comes to downtown Elgin

By: RS

RS — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 22:33:34 +0000

Thanks for the heads up, Alan. I’m looking forward to seeing how this winery turns out.

By: Alan

Alan — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 02:59:37 +0000

There is now a sign in the window, so it look like the winery is going to be opening “soon”!

By: RS

RS — Thu, 01 May 2008 18:12:44 +0000

High five, Jason!

The city master plan does call for downtown Elgin to be a 24-hour city, but some of the stuff the council has done in recent years has worked against that ideal.

Nevertheless downtown Elgin remains the most promising place for urban nightlife in the suburbs, by virtue of its density, diversity, and architectural inventory.

ArtSpace Elgin may lead to 70 artists living in the downtown, which is going to be another huge plus.

By: Jason C.

Jason C. — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:32:31 +0000

It is about time Elgin attracts potentials like the Red Bar Winery. I have to say that Elgin currently has very little attractive nightlife. I am a recent first time homebuyer to the area. I moved here not only because it is close to work and decently priced housing (except for downtown Elgin!) but also because I saw a huge potential for improvement especially downtown. Most young professionals such as myself are attracted to close nightlife entertainment. I currently have to drive to Schaumburg, St. Charles, or even Chicago for quality nightlife. Places such as the Bamboo Room, Alumni Club, Soundbar (Chicago’s 21+ version of Dave Medusa’s Mission Club in Elgin), House of Blues all have something in common… Unique urban-style nightlife. ALL are BIG moneymakers and are ALWAYS jampacked on the weekends. Just a suggestion… I would like to see downtown Elgin turn into a densified 24/7 hotspot. THAT is how those overpriced condos will eventually sell. The area will sell well if there is a better mix of demographics. We have empty nesters, families, large mix of races… However, where are all of those recent college graduates who now have jobs and are dying to buy a decently priced condo with restaurants, venues, clubs, clothing stores within walking distance? Not to mention jobs downtown… “Elgin: Second to none but Chicago proper”. Anyone agree?

By: RS

RS — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 16:05:39 +0000

Thanks for the update, Eddie. That’s good news.

The thing about Starbucks (and other chains) is that they tend to move in once all the work has been done for them and then they crowd out the independents that made it possible.

I love going to Caribou on Randall though!

By: Eddie

Eddie — Sat, 26 Apr 2008 03:49:55 +0000

I live in Fountain Square. For the last week Ive noticed as I pull out from the garage that there is a “Mad Maggies Comming Soon” sign in the window of the old Fountain Square sales office. Also, Prairie Rock seems to get pretty decent business. Everytime I drive by in the evening hours theres always people outside and going into the place. The downtown area would be nice with a Starbucks or something more Name Brand.

By: RS

RS — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 01:48:41 +0000

From what I heard it sounds like the Rock is undergoing some remodeling and they may be bringing in other people to run the restaurant(s), which is a good thing.

That would be too bad about the winery or Mad Maggies…hope it’s not true!

By: alan

alan — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:53:45 +0000

They actually do very well. I have been told there is no truth to the closing rumor at all, in fact, they are about to do some major(?) remodeling.
I was also told that either the winery or Mad Maggies has lost one of their backers and is on hold indefinitely.

By: mikey

mikey — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 22:29:53 +0000

I work in the area and I’ve never actually seen a human being going in or out of Prarie Rock. their business has to be terrible.

By: alan

alan — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 17:12:03 +0000

I hope they are not closing. I love sitting out back in the summer having dinner and watching a band. But the home page on their website doesn’t look right today. There are missing images, including the logo.