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Is the ramen bubble bursting in Chicago? The Lincoln Park location of Strings is closed. But it’s not a standard shutter, as the state of Illinois revenue department has revoked the ramen shop’s business license. The Chinatown location, home of some of the city's most-loved ramen bowls, appears unaffected.
Passersby on Halsted could notice the bright green state of Illinois stickers on the restaurant’s doors indicating the license revocation. Strings management didn't provide any additional details, only saying the restaurant was permanently closed. They opened their Lincoln Park location, called Strings 2, in March 2015. An accompanying tea shop, Grasswood, also opened on the floor above the restaurant. Grasswood didn’t last too long, as they stopped brewing tea after just a few months. Strings 2 apparently has been closed since late June.
An Illinois Department of Revenue spokesman didn't have too much to add, only writing that Strings' "license has been revoked for non-compliance with Illinois tax laws."
