BOYSTOWN — While rainbow flags will be in full force Sunday, none will hold a candle to this behemoth.
Earlier this week, the enormous flag that dominated the corner of Halsted and Belmont for two decades returned after a nearly two-year hiatus. The former Spin nightclub banner was due for a good airing, and the Pride Parade seemed like a perfect time, said Sean Kotwa, a partner with LKH Management.
"I just think however many changes to the parade route there might be, people tend to come from Belmont, so it's very important to us to keep displaying that flag there, especially around Pride," Kotwa said.
After a yearlong game of managerial musical chairs, the former Spin nightclub landed under the large LKH Management umbrella in May. Former Spin owner David Gassman reacquired 3200-3206 N. Halsted St. from 2014 owner Jason Zilberbrand and placed it under their care.
Seeing as LKH also owns or operates Boystown hot spots Hydrate, Replay, Elixir and Halsted's Bar and Grill, it was a pretty safe bet.
Manhole and The Den debuted in May, with SEVEN Dance Club and Louge announced as the third and final bar for the venue earlier this week.
It was Gassman's idea to dig up the flag and "keep the tradition alive," Kotwa said. The flag will remain on the corner through Northalsted Market Days Aug. 8-9.
Since tenants living above the bars would probably like to get their window views back at some point (not to mention maybe some ear plugs?), the flag will come down after summer, Kotwa said.
But it will return again in 2016, with pride.
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