WICKER PARK — Piece, a popular Wicker Park brewery and pizzeria, eventually will expand into a neighboring storefront, its owner said Sunday.
Bill Jacobs, owner of Piece Brewery and Pizzeria, confirmed that a building permit for a restaurant in a storefront next to the Wicker Park brewpub and pizzeria will be for Piece.
"We will definitely be using it. I am not leasing it out to another business," Jacobs said of the 1,128-square-foot storefront, currently rented by Salon Blue.
After almost 11 years at 1931 W. North Ave., Salon Blue will be moving to 2915 N. Sheffield Ave. and joining its Lakeview salon, said Yolanda Trejo, a stylist.
Trejo called the impending move, scheduled to take place on Saturday, "bittersweet and exciting."
"We love our loyal clients and are excited to grow in Lakeview," Trejo said.
While Jacobs would not say what the added space will be used for, he said it would be an extension of Piece.
"[I'm] working with my team; there is no rush since I own the building, fortunately," he said. "Nothing will be happening for several months or more."
Jacobs, who is the majority owner of Piece, purchased the vintage 1920s building at 1923-31 W. North Ave. in January 2012 for nearly $4.3 million.
The Piece team includes Rick Nielsen, lead guitarist for Cheap Trick, and about 100 employees.
Located in a former garage, the brewpub and pizzeria at 1927 W. North Ave. occupies 5,800 square feet of the building and features 30-foot ceilings and a skylight running the length of the center of the restaurant.
Their takeout operation, called "Piece Out," is at 1923 W. North Ave. Salon Blue is on the western side of the building at 1931 W. North Ave.
Piece opened in July 2001 and has received several national and international awards for its beer, brewed by master brewer Jonathan Cutler.
