The Biz Week That Was: Grocery merger bust, gluten-free dining, and a Greek gyro revival are among the highlights
No sacrificing: Cooper’s Hawk makes eating out easier for gluten-sensitive diners
For people with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, eating out can be a challenge. Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant just made it easier with a full gluten-free menu. Most restaurant menus have gluten-free items, but the selection can be lacking. And while it’s easy to spot things like bread and pastas that obviously have gluten, you have to be mindful that most sauces, broths and stocks have it also.
Cloud computing tax threatens Chicago’s Silicon Valley dream
Chicago’s bid to become the Silicon Valley of the Midwest has registered some major wins in recent years: Google bought a huge downtown building, PsiQuantum Corp. announced a $1 billion investment in the city, and local startups raised a record $19 billion in 2022. Now a move to increase an unusual tax on cloud computing risks adding to a broader technology industry downturn.
Albertsons gives up on Kroger merger and sues the grocery chain for failing to secure deal
Jewel-Osco parent company Albertsons is giving up on its merger with Kroger and it is suing the grocery chain, saying it didn't do enough to secure regulatory approval for the $24.6 billion agreement. The move came the day after two judges halted the merger in separate court cases.
Greek revival in Buffalo Grove: Yeero Revolution hitting the street with authentic gyros
It started nearly 10 years ago with an engagement party. It ended with a culinary revolution. At a relative’s engagement party, John Nikolaou and Pete Koutropoulos found common ground in food and music. That friendship recently blossomed into a business partnership as the duo now are co-owners of Yeero Revolution, 700 E. Lake-Cook Road, in the Ricky Rockets mall at the northeast corner of Lake-Cook and Lexington Drive in Buffalo Grove.
Barnes & Noble to return to downtown Naperville
Barnes & Noble is getting a sequel in downtown Naperville. The mega-bookstore closed its doors at the gateway corner of Washington Street and Chicago Avenue after about a quarter century in business. Almost a year later, a new chapter is being written. Barnes & Noble will be returning to the downtown at a nearby storefront, Downtown Naperville Alliance Executive Director Katie Wood has announced.
New smoothie café to bring raw juices and acai bowls to ‘fitness row’ in Algonquin Commons
A grab-and-go smoothie and juice bar will be the latest addition in Algonquin Commons near health-conscious businesses such as Hotworx, Orange Theory and Stretch Zone. Blend, located at 1728 S. Randall Road, will have cold-pressed juices, acai bowls, smoothies, salads and wraps. A grand opening is expected in early January, owners Marshall “Danny” and Tracie Weymouth said.