Empire Building

Clarke’s Expands to River North, Bucktown, Infinity, and Beyond

Photo: gympumpkin/Flickr

The owners of Clarke’s on Belmont are in expansion mode. They’re planning a mid-March opening of a Bucktown Clarke’s at 1704 N Damen Ave. (formerly a Bar Louie), and have also signed a 15-year lease at 343 W. Erie St. (the building that also currently houses RiNo) reports Crain’s Chicago. The River North edition will be the biggest in the Clarke’s mini-empire, and is aiming for a mid-April opening. The new restaurants (which we assume will be called Clarke’s on Damen and Clarke’s on Erie, or something similarly creative) might soon be joined by additional siblings: the chain is also looking at expanding into the Loop, South Loop, and even the western ‘burbs. [Crain’s Chi]

Clarke’s Expands to River North, Bucktown, Infinity, and Beyond