WICKER PARK — Jerry's Sandwiches will close its original location along Division Street next month and is encouraging fans to visit "just a little further north" at its new Lincoln Square outpost, the locally-owned chain announced Wednesday on its Facebook page.
The last day for the bar and restaurant at 1939 W. Division St. will be Saturday, Sept. 24. Jerry's closure follows the departures of other Division Street stalwarts such as SmallBar, Moonshine and Bob San.
Jerry's co-owner Mark Bires, who runs the business with his wife, Mindy Friedler, said they decided to exit Division Street because their lease was up and Division Street is changing.
"Division Street in the last few years has turned very young and sports bar centric," he said, jokingly referring to the area as "Wrigleyville West."
"We feel that our customers are, on average, a little older and, dare I say, a little more sophisticated," Bires said, adding, "We don't do Miller buckets or affiliate with a Big Ten sports program. "
Bires also said that he sold his liquor license and Wicker Park business to a new owner who plans to bring in a bar and music concept.
The new owner of space did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In addition to the Lincoln Square Jerry's at 4739 N. Lincoln Ave., Jerry's Sandwiches also has a spot at 5419 N. Clark St. in Andersonville. The restaurant chain's name is reference to Grateful Dead frontman Jerry Garcia, Bires said.
Bires assured that both of those spots are not in danger of closing.
"We didn't relish the idea of running 3 restaurants. We are looking forward to settling in with our two babies in Andersonville and Lincoln Square," he said.
Read the Facebook update below.
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