{"id":102072,"date":"2020-08-14T14:27:58","date_gmt":"2020-08-14T19:27:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/?p=102072"},"modified":"2020-08-14T14:27:58","modified_gmt":"2020-08-14T19:27:58","slug":"river-north-rainforest-cafe-location-closing-a-year-early","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/urbanmatter.com\/chicago\/river-north-rainforest-cafe-location-closing-a-year-early\/","title":{"rendered":"River North Rainforest Cafe Location Closing A Year Early"},"content":{"rendered":"

After almost a quarter-century at its famed location at the northwest corner of Ohio and Clark, River North\u2019s Rainforest Cafe location is closing a year early. The jungle-themed restaurant chain <\/span>closed its Schaumburg location at the start of this year<\/span><\/a> \u201cdue to a natural lease expiration.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rainforest
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The property owner of the building that the River North Rainforest Cafe location is situated in, Sean Conlon, <\/span>confirmed with Block Club Chicago<\/span><\/a> that the closure was partly a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The two-story building was \u201cdue to leave in one year\u2019s time but [the pandemic] accelerated things,\u201d said Conlon, a real estate developer and \u201cThe Deed: Chicago\u201d star. \u201cIt\u2019s an iconic restaurant that\u2019s served families well, but there was simply no business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Like other restaurants, diners, and attractions popular for both tourists and residents alike, spring\u2019s lockdown hit the River North Rainforest Cafe hard with the restaurant closing its doors initially because of the pandemic, but then never reopening for dining (indoor or outdoor) or carryout service.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rainforest
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Houston-based Landry\u2019s Restaurants, the owners of the chain and operators of other notable brands such as Bubba Gump Shrimp and Morton Steakhouse, have given no comment as to why the location shuttered its doors. The iconic, neon \u201cRainforest Cafe\u201d sign was removed from the building last weekend. Conlon has an agreement with the leaving tenants to keep one of the animatronic gorillas, but there\u2019s no word on what will happen to the famed tree frog, \u201cCha! Cha!\u201d (Could we put our hat in the ring for him?)<\/span><\/p>\n

Colon said his lawyers were surprised to see a gorilla being mentioned. \u201cLooking over the contract, my lawyer told me it\u2019s the first time he\u2019s encountered a gorilla clause,\u201d Conlon said. \u201cBut I didn\u2019t ask them for the frog. Perhaps I was a poor negotiator?\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Rainforest
Photo Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The future of the River North site is unclear but Conlon imagines that two things will probably happen, the existing space will be renovated for a new retail tenant or the structure itself will be demolished and rebuilt in place as a high-rise. Rainforest Cafe turning into a high rise wouldn\u2019t make it the first for an establishment in the neighborhood. Regardless, Conlon is optimistic.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\n
\"\"
Photo Credit: Tapas Valencia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

View the Best Tapas Places in Chicago<\/h4>\n

Wanna go somewhere that is open? View our list of the best tapas restaurants in the city.<\/p>\n

View the Best Tapas Places in Chicago<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

\u201cObviously the world has changed, but even in a crisis this is still one of the premier corners in Chicago,\u201d Conlon said. \u201cIt\u2019s too early to say [what the outcome will be], but I get several calls a week about it. Some opportunity will emerge.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

At UrbanMatter, U Matter. And we think this matters.<\/p>\n

Tell us what you think matters in your neighborhood and what we should write about next in the comments below!<\/span><\/p>\n

Featured Image Credit: Rainforest Cafe Yelp Page<\/em><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

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After almost a quarter-century at its famed location at the northwest corner of Ohio and Clark, River North\u2019s Rainforest Cafe location is closing a year early. 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