EDGEWATER — The Devon Avenue space twice slated to become a brew pub is now undergoing renovations to open as a nail salon.
Permits were issued in late August at 1221 W. Devon Ave. for the $45,000 build out of a salon and spa, which developer Scott Whelan said will be a 2x10 Nails & Spa location that is expected to open in the next few months.
An adjacent space at the corner of Devon and Magnolia is still being actively shown.
Since July 2015, the building was thought to be courting two different brew pubs.
First, D & G Brewing, owned by a husband-and-wife team who wanted to brew small batches of craft beer across both storefronts with a small tasting room.
After that fell through, Aquanaut Brewery co-owner Phil Tadros, who also owns Bow Truss coffee stores and was recently arrested on domestic violence charges, announced he would be opening a second Aquanaut location in the 1221 W. Devon Ave. spot.
In July, Crain's Chicago Business detailed that Tadros is dealing with more than 15 lawsuits and other issues.
Tadros said chef and restaurateur Jared Leonard of Rub's Backcountry Smokehouse and Budlong restaurants had signed on with him to take over the corner restaurant spot for an open concept between the two businesses.
Whelan said that announcement was "premature."
"I think all that was announced prematurely," Whelan said. "I think very highly of Aquanaut and Eric McNeil, the brewer, I'm not opposed to something happening — but currently there is nothing going on with that."
Whelan said his hope is still to fill the storefront with a restaurant.
"We're still exploring multiple options for the corner, the corner is ready is to go, it's just who are we putting in there?" Whelan said. "We just want to make sure we have the best fit for not only ourselves, but for the neighborhood.
"I think the neighborhood wants a restaurant concept, absolutely, for sure. And the space can accommodate it ... we just want to do it right."
Tadros' voicemail was full Thursday. Leonard did not respond to a request for comment.
The future of the site has been uncertain ever since Alex Drayer and Brittany Groot's idea for D & G Brewing fell through late last year.
Last summer, Ald. Harry Osterman (48th), Ald. Joe Moore (49th) and Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th) united to hold community meetings before supporting the project and ultimately helping to get a 20-year-liquor moratorium on the street temporarily lifted.
From the time it was approved, the clock began ticking — as city code requires a moratorium be lifted for a full year before reverting back.
In May, Tadros said he had expected the pub to be open by the end of the year.
For more neighborhood news, listen to DNAinfo Radio here:
