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Closings Mon Jan 16 2012
Peeking Behind Paper: Bagel on Damen Ravenswood Closes, Asado Coffee Remodels
Two storefronts with paper signs on the door, two very different outcomes.
Last week the Ravenswood outpost of Bagel on Damen, which opened at 4639 N. Damen in late 2010, had a handwritten note stating that the shop would be closed until Jan. 10 for remodeling. When I stopped by on the 11th, the sign was still up and the restaurant looked deserted -- and there was little sign of a remodel. The next day the sign was gone and the space has been dark ever since. A call to the Bucktown location confirmed that it is permanently closed.
Meanwhile, a handwritten sign also appeared on the door at Asado Coffee, 1432 W. Irving Park Rd., in the last couple weeks. It read, "Asado Coffee is currently reworking the space and experimenting with new roasts. Look for our reopening in the next few weeks." While the note sounded more promising, the paper over the door and windows could have been hiding anything from the specified remodeling to a full tear-out and closure. It wouldn't have been the first time a business closed for good under the guise of a remodel -- see above for a handy example.
Fortunately, updates on Asado's Facebook page show that the remodeling is real, and it's almost complete. They're looking toward a February grand re-opening. Hopefully the changes include more seating for customers. Stay tuned for that.
