“Archie’s Cafe is closing for good next week.

“The beloved Rogers Park cafe, known for hosting local musicians and community events, is being forced out after Loyola University bought the building at 1226-1234 W. Loyola Ave. — which houses Archie’s — late last year.

“Roberta Schmatz opened the cafe in 2018 after years of running arts spaces and programs from the storefront. She signed the lease for the Loyola Avenue space in 2008. Over the years, she used the storefront to host markets, fashion camps, creative studios, yoga, dance classes, art shows and more.

“After about a decade of hosting events, Schmatz built out the storefront ‘from scratch’ to create Archie’s Cafe.

“It’s just starting to sink in” that Archie’s wont be here after next week, Schmatz said Wednesday. “I’m so glad I did this. It was a dream come true for the neighborhood.”

“Schmatz, other tenants of the Loyola Avenue building and neighbors were disappointed by the news Loyola University had bought the building and wouldn’t renew leases. In addition to Archie’s, the building holds Roman Susan art space, Edge Art Gallery and 35 apartments.

“In January, Loyola’s vice president of capital planning told student paper The Loyola Phoenix it would honor current leases in the building and had plans to demolish the structure after tenants vacate. (Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 9/25/24)

“The latest manifestation of years-long community ire with Loyola’s expansion is protest over the planned demolition of 1234 W. Loyola Ave., which houses beloved local businesses, art nonprofit RomanSusan and 23 residential tenants. Alderwoman Maria Hadden (49th), Preservation Chicago and State Senator Mike Simmons have all spoken out in support of protecting the building.

“In an interactive map shared with community members, many expressed concern over building demolitions, empty lots and Loyola’s seeming prioritization of on-campus properties over neighborhood ones, especially regarding 1234 W. Loyola Ave., The Phoenix reported. (Gates, The Loyola Phoenix, 9/4/24)

“Ward Miller, executive director at Preservation Chicago, wishes universities across the city would engage more with local residents and try to come up with solutions that benefit everyone. ‘It’s our understanding that Loyola has been purchasing a lot of properties and, in some cases, clearing land. And we are all great supporters of these institutions like Loyola University and also realize the incredible need for them to grow,’ he says. But the university could be more thoughtful in realizing those needs. ‘Why are they taking down these historic buildings that are so much a part of the fabric of the neighborhood?’

“Preservation Chicago aims to protect and revitalize ‘Chicago’s irreplaceable architecture,’ with an emphasis on ‘creative reuse and preservation-sensitive outcomes.’ In general, Miller would like to see developers take a less heavy-handed approach to development. ‘Oftentimes these buildings that are really good quality, built well, can serve a variety of different ideas of revisioning—they’re oftentimes replaced with buildings that just don’t have the same qualities,’ he says. ‘They almost look like they could be built anywhere in the United States. And if we’re really serious about Chicago being a world-class city, we really need to figure out some new tools.’

“To that end, Preservation Chicago is looking into whether 1226-1234 W. Loyola might qualify for landmark status. The process starts with the Commission on Chicago Landmarks, which is part of the Historic Preservation Division of the Department of Planning and Development. The commission first conducts research into the building to make a preliminary recommendation. Then, a report is prepared by the Department of Housing and Economic Development, the building owner weighs in, sometimes a public hearing is held, and, finally, it goes to the City Council for review.

“The whole process can take around a year, which wouldn’t necessarily help the current residents avoid displacement. But officials like Hadden and Simmons both express a desire for the building to be landmarked and thus saved from demolition. ‘My strong wish is for this space to be preserved, that it be landmarked,’ says Simmons, who also has a personal connection to the building. Simmons’s late mother, Ramona Rouse, operated Salon Pastiche out of 1226 W. Loyola for 23 years; the street is now an honorary way named for her. So Simmons is particularly sensitive to the needs of small business owners.” (Cardoza, Chicago Reader, 4/15/24)

Preservation Chicago has been working closely with stakeholders including Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons and business owner Kristin Abhalter-Smith to advance the advocacy effort. With very compelling testimony, we all suggested 1234 W. Loyola Avenue to be considered for landmark designation at the September 20, 2024 meeting at the City of Chicago Commission on Chicago Landmarks.

Read the full story at Chicago Reader

• Mission: demolition? Loyola University’s development plans and lack of communication set Rogers Park residents on edge, Kerry Cardoza, Chicago Reader, 4/15/24
• Archie’s Cafe In Rogers Park Closing Next Week. Say Goodbye At Its ‘End Of An Era’ Bash; The cafe, which opened in 2018, is being forced to close after Loyola University bought the building, Madison Savedra, Block Club Chicago, 9/25/24
• Editorial: A ‘Better Loyola’ is a Worse Rogers Park. Opinion Editor Hailey Gates argues Loyola is quick to plan, but slow to consider the effects the university has on the surrounding community, Hailey Gates, The Loyola Phoenix, 9/4/24
• Rogers Parkers To Loyola: Stop Demolishing Buildings With Small Businesses, Longtime Residents; The 49th Ward office is trying to get landmark status for the building to prevent residents and local businesses from being displaced, Kayleigh Padar, Block Club Chicago, 2/19/24
• Loyola Buys Local Property, Displacing Residents and Local Businesses; Loyola purchased the property at 1226-1234 W. Loyola Ave. Dec 19, adding the building to their list of properties owned in the surrounding area, Hailey Gates, The Loyola Phoenix, 12/31/23
• Archie’s Cafe Will Close In August After Loyola Buys Rogers Park Building; Archie’s and other tenants will be displaced. The university plans to demolish the building, but it’s not clear what other plans officials have for the property, Kayleigh Padar, Block Club Chicago, 2/8/24
• ‘We’re happy to be neighbors’: The Storefronts of 1226-1234 W. Loyola Ave; Following the announcement of the closure and eventual demolition of the businesses at 1226-1234 W. Loyola Ave., Kristin and Nathan Abhalter-Smith, Maggie Roche and Roberta Schmatz continue to impact the Rogers Park community, The Phoenix Staff, The Loyola Phoenix, 2/7/24