HUMBOLDT PARK — Peanut Gallery is returning to the neighborhood a little more than two years after the gallery/art studio was forced to leave its original Humboldt Park location.
Owner Charlie Megna and artist Sarah Enigmann have signed a lease on a new building at 902 N. California Ave., which is just down the street from the old Peanut Gallery.
The pair hopes to open sometime in November and put out a call for submissions by January, Megna said.
In 2014, the gallery/art studio took a hit when its lease wasn't renewed to make way for Spinning J, 1000 N. California Ave. The pie shop was just one of a few new businesses that popped up at California Avenue and Augusta Boulevard under the vision of developer Gino Battaglia, who owns all four buildings at the Humboldt Park intersection.
"There was a lot of stress after losing the space after four years. I was upset. We had been there for a long time," Megna said. "I have my own views about how many coffee shops and bars and restaurants we need on the corner."
After the closure, Megna tried to reopen in a Logan Square apartment, but it didn't end up working out, he said. So when he found the storefront near the old location in Humboldt Park, he knew it was a perfect fit.
"I'm excited to get back into the neighborhood," Megna said. "My 13-year-old skater self is like, 'F--- you, we're back and we're going to do even better than before.'"
Fans of Peanut Gallery can expect the same programming and events like Tuesday night drawing nights and art shows once a month, plus more classes and lectures — all "taken more seriously," Megna said.
"We're trying to get nonprofit [status] and get more grants and funding," Megna said. "This time, I want to get that taken care of so we can keep the costs down and offer more stuff for artists."
Megna emphasized that Peanut Gallery isn't "run by trust funds or anything else."
"We work full-time jobs and pay out of pocket to do it out of love for doing it," he said.
In the coming weeks, Megna and his partner will be at work renovating the storefront. The pair launched an online fundraiser with a goal of $3,000 to help cover the expense. As of Tuesday afternoon, the campaign had raised $600.
"Money that you donate will go to help startup costs, we lost many supplies when we closed, things that keep the gallery running smooth like paint, rollers, cleaning supplies and such," the campaign reads.
"Peanut was a big part of our lives and we like to think a big part of the many artists we showed and to the audiences that came to events and we hope to continue this."
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