WICKER PARK — A 24-hour adult playground with a bowling alley, two cocktail bars, private karaoke rooms and a diner is coming to Wicker Park, though the announcement from the Denver-based firm taking over the former Central Furniture Mart has surprised members of a neighborhood group.
Eater.com reported on Tuesday that Robert Thompson, founder of hospitality company Seasoned Development, has signed a lease for Punch Bowl Social to take over the former furniture store at 1348 N. Milwaukee Ave. DNAinfo could not reach Thompson for comment.
Building owner Josh Mintzer declined to comment on a deal with the popular entertainment and gaming chain, which has locations in Denver, Portland and Austin.
Alisa Hauser explains why some neighbors are concerned:
Mintzer bought the four-story, 35,000-square-foot building, long home to Central Furniture Mart, for $3.75 million in late July.
Last month, Mintzer and his zoning lawyer Andrew Scott met with members of the Wicker Park Committee to seek the neighborhood group's approval on changing the building's zoning to allow a tavern to operate in the building.
Punch Bowl Social was not disclosed as the building's tenant at the time of the meeting.
"The last face-to-face conversation we had was that they are exploring tenants and now he is going to be signing for a lease? I suspect they had something on hand that they didn't disclose [to us]," said Ed Tamminga, chairman of the group's preservation and development committee.
Tamminga and other members of the group had requested that the matter be tabled because they would not approve a commercial zoning.
The city requires any establishment whose main source of business is selling alcohol on its premises to have a tavern license.
The building's existing zoning does not allow a tavern on the premises, though it would permit a restaurant or bar with an incidental liquor license, which is reserved for restaurants where the primary sales come from food rather than alcohol.
Tamminga said his group objects to the current zoning request.
"It could allow for straight-up taverns to operate. There are many uses under a C1 [zoning] that provide no benefit to the neighborhood. We continue to be contrary to any C1 zoning district for that building," Tamminga said.
Punch Bowl Social's menu offers burgers, chicken and waffles, bar snacks, breakfast and lunch, along with classic cocktails, craft beer, milkshakes, fresh juices and fizzes, Eater reported.
Ald. Joe Moreno (1st) confirmed that he had met with Mintzer about the zoning change request and discussed Punch Bowl Social.
"I like the concept [of Punch Bowl Social] but need to take a look more at what the current zoning will allow. I will support a zoning change to commercial zoning if that is needed, but I want to see the official opinion of the Wicker Park Committee. That is important to me," Moreno said.
Leah Root, president of the Wicker Park Committee, said Mintzer was "very vague" in the meeting with her group about his plans for the building.
"I am concerned about it being [open] 24 hours but think it's an interesting concept that could be good for the neighborhood. Something that large could bring challenges. It's a busy street and we never even discussed what the parking situation would be. If they can do it within the existing zoning, that is the question," Root said.
Thompson did not respond to requests for comment on Tuesday to confirm whether a lease has been signed and if Punch Bowl Social can operate with an incidental liquor license.
Meanwhile, neighbors such as Jeffrey Malk, who owns a building next door at 1360 N. Milwaukee Ave. and is the landlord for Antique Taco, said he is excited about the possible new neighbor.
"Entertainment options will thrive in a retail corridor," Malk predicted.
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