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— As America recalibrates after a reminder of racial tensions in Charlottesville, Virginia, Chicago received its own hint after a racist episode at a Wicker Park bar. The owners of Swig, 1469 N. Milwaukee Ave., reportedly fired a bouncer on Wednesday after a black man told DNAinfo that the bouncer wouldn’t let him in the bar on Saturday. The bouncer told the customer that his white V-neck T-shirt violated the bar’s dress code. The bar doesn’t have an official dress code. The customer felt “subhuman” and told DNAinfo that white customers wearing the similar clothing were allowed inside while he couldn’t gain admittance. Swig’s owner has apologized.
— For the first time to the general public, Half Acre Brewing Co.’s new tap room will be open on Saturday at 2050 W. Balmoral Ave. — but only to those lucky enough to have snagged a ticket to the brewery’s special event, sold-out event — Big North. The space will sell food, but it won’t be the same food featured when the taproom’s restaurant is regularly open, according to a spokesman.
— The owners of Buona Beef — a Chicago-area fast food chain — are in some legal trouble after a small union protest. Video posted on Wednesday by a union, Local 150, depicts Joseph Buonavolanto knocking a phone out of a protester’s hand, and shows Jim Buonavolanto tearing down fliers and banners while at a Buona Beef parking lot. They also call the protesters losers. Police charged Joseph Buonavolanto with one count of battery and charged Jim Buonavolanto with two counts of battery. They have a Sept. 20 court date, according to Patch.
— There are a lot of Chicagoans missing President Barack Obama. Earlier this month, the Chicago-based charity that bears his name spotlighted a South Side cafe. The Obama Foundation posted a video featuring Ain't She Sweet Cafe, with the owners chatting about the lack of healthy food options in Bronzeville and Beverly. The owners talked about giving back to the community by providing jobs. Check it out. DNAinfo first noticed the tweet.
There wasn't a place to eat a healthy meal in their neighborhood, so this mother and daughter stepped in. Watch their story: pic.twitter.com/ihXKMIIWID
— The Obama Foundation (@ObamaFoundation) August 9, 2017
— Christine Cikowski of Honey Butter Fried Chicken in Avondale and Nicole Pederson of Found/Barn in Evanston provide the Chicago representation among 21 women chefs/owners across the country selected by the James Beard Foundation for training focusing on giving women more leadership opportunities in the restaurant industry. The pair is part of the first Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership class. They’ll meet next month in Boston for a week-long seminar to educate women with the hopes of accelerating their business opportunities.