5 Chicago-Area Restaurant Closures to Know

WICKER PARK—On the heels of 25 Degrees Wicker Park shuttering last week on Division Street near Damen Avenue, another noteworthy eatery has closed down a block away. A Baker’s Tale, the whimsical bakery in a building co-owned by the Rancics and used in the filming of their E! show, is no more. DNAinfo reports that ownership will focus on custom orders and delivery.

LAKEVIEW—Over on Halsted Street in Lakeview, Lure Izakaya Pub—the second location of the concept—is done after less than a year in the former Macku Signature space. Ownership announced that the restaurant was closing temporarily in June, yet it never reopened and DNAinfo reports that a for lease sign is plastered on the exterior of 2925 N. Halsted St. Lure closed in Chinatown in 2012 and opened in Lakeview in July 2015.

LAKEVIEW—Just a few blocks away, Panz, a fast-casual Italian eatery, has called it quits at 614 W. Diversey Pkwy. It only lasted six months.

BUCKTOWN—Paladino’s Pizza House No. 1647, from a former member of Club Lucky nearby, has shuttered at 1647 W. Cortland St. However, work is being done inside and the space has a building permit in owner Bobby Paladino’s name which includes installation of a "new eat-in counter," so a reconcept is likely. Paladino, who opened the pizza concept in March 2013, couldn’t be reached for comment.

SUBURBS—Finally, a restaurant chain has abruptly shuttered all locations in the state. Sweet Tomatoes, known for its all-you-can-eat buffets, shuttered all six of its restaurants in Illinois last week, the Daily Herald reports. They were all in the suburbs: Aurora, Glenview, Lombard, Schaumburg, St. Charles, and Waukegan.

The entry on Paladino's Pizza House No. 1647 has been edited to reflect that Bobby Paladino hasn't been involved with Club Lucky for years, according to Club Lucky's current general manager.