ROGERS PARK — Nearly a year after one of the North Side's most beloved sources for literature and vinyl records closed, the former Shake, Rattle and Read is now being transformed into a shop that showcases locally-sourced cheeses, gifts and wine.
Known as Provisions Uptown, the new store opening at 4812 N. Broadway is headed by couple Erik Archambeault and William Meek, the pair told DNAinfo Tuesday.
The store will serve as a sister shop and second location for Rogers Park Provisions, 6928 N. Glenwood Ave., which the duo opened in the summer of 2015 next to their existing bar, Rogers Park Social.
Provisions Uptown will also have a popular neighbor — the famed, but shuttered, Uptown Theater.
"It just kind of all made sense, and we're super excited about it," Archambeault said. "Uptown has a lot going on, and we're really excited to be a part of it."
Archambeault said the store would serve as an expanded version of its Rogers Park counter part, acting as a "one stop" dinner party supply shop and general store where customers can grab Charcuterie, wine and spirits, gifts and small items for the home altogether — though at 1,600-1,800-square-feet it will be significantly larger than the original location.
The extra space would allow the pair to order more items, both in quantity and type, to be sold between the locations, Archambeault said.
Though the two shops will share some of the same products, Provisions Uptown will also be a reflection of the neighborhood in its offerings and sourcing.
The new store will also make sure to "pay homage" to the beloved Shake, Rattle and Read, he said.
"We'll build upon our showcase based on what's happening in Uptown and be an official outlet for local artisans," Archambeault said. "We also want to pay homage to the business that was there before for 50 years, so we're going to kind of take that Uptown feel and the Shake, Rattle and Read feel and build that into what we want to be there [while also] respecting what was there."
As the couple continue working on the store's interior, they have applied for a licensed to sell packaged goods and alcohol.
Archambeault said he hopes to open the store by the start of summer and plans to hold two weeks of grand opening festivities that include nightly tastings, demonstrations and other special events.
