Sodikoff Also Planning Restaurant for Humboldt Auto Body Shop

It turns out that The California Clipper isn't Brendan Sodikoff's only acquisition near the California and Augusta intersection in Humboldt Park. The empire-building restaurateur is also getting ready to take over the auto body shop on the southwest corner, A Car Discount Muffler & Brake, in order to build out a new restaurant, according to building owner and longtime developer Gino Battaglia.

It's unknown what his specific concept is for the space. The shop, a former gas station built around 1920, is a narrow building stretching west with a large front lot that Sodikoff will replace with an outdoor space, according to Battaglia. "I expect he will keep the history (of the building)," Battaglia, best known for owning Blue Chicago, says.

Battaglia, who owns 10 restaurant buildings around the city, believes that Humboldt Park is the next neighborhood to blossom and that Sodikoff is the right man to lead the charge. "We're on the cusp of the whole area developing," he says, "and we're lucky to be associated with (Brendan Sodikoff)." A Car will close at the end of the week; check back soon to see what Sodikoff does with it.
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