Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Kardaras.
Andrea, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My husband and I met at an old neighborhood bar about a mile west of Wrigley Field. We had been going there for years but never met until I began working there. We hit it off and began dating. Shortly after I started working there, we found out that the bar was going to be sold to a less than savory character who had plans to turn it into a pizza parlor with hints of a Hooter’s restaurant to it.
This was a great neighborhood spot that was loved by many, including us. So my husband (boyfriend at the time) decided to try and find a way to buy it. Together, we scrambled to the point of begging and borrowing from everyone we could turn to. In the end, we matched the offer and the owner sold it to us. Over the next 5 years, we took it from a typical “old man shot & a beer bar” to cleaning it up a little and adding live music to it. It soon became a great neighborhood dive bar where everyone felt welcome and where new friendships were born.
Heading into the end of our lease, we began hearing rumors from the residential tenants upstairs that leases were not being renewed. In the end, we learned that the building had been sold and that we had about 2 months to be out. We knew that we were meant for this business and that we wanted to continue on in a new location. We kept coming up empty until a realtor friend hounded us to look at a vacant place in River North, which was not even on our list of places to look. After a lot of pressure, we caved and went to look at the place. It was the former home of a typical River North nightclub, but we saw potential in the space and knew we could bring a true Chicago neighborhood bar feel to the place. We also realized that the numbers were going to be an issue.
Unbeknownst to us, the owner of this space stopped by our old bar twice on back to back Sunday when we happened to be out running errands. He then requested a meeting with us and said he loved what we did with the old place and wanted to make a deal. This was surprising to us since he had passed on others who wanted his space for the previous 3 years.
Today, we are less than a year old, but are definitely making our mark in River North.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has been anything but a smooth road in this business. We’ve known that we have the tools to succeed in this business, but not the deep pockets that so many of the corporate owned bars and restaurants have. We’ve managed to work our way through them and will continue to do so.
The hours are another grind. We work 12 hour days along with running errands and paperwork beyond that. Most think that bar owners simply have fun an count money. We’ve learned that it pays off to be involved day in and day out. It’s not easy, but that’s the life we’ve chosen.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
We are really the only “mom & pop” operation in downtown Chicago. At least that we know of. We handle everything related to the business each and every day. Anything that we ask of our staff is nothing that we don’t do as well. Together, we’re a team on every level. We like to say that we wouldn’t hire anyone that we wouldn’t be happy to have over to our house for dinner.
We’re very proud of the fact that we started with a dream and have worked very hard to make it a reality. We’ve become part of a bar family that is so special to us. Our regulars, our staff, their significant others, industry friends are all a part of this great and ever growing family. In a way, that shows us that we’re doing something right in this business.
What makes us different is that we are the opposite of almost every bar in River North. We have a great live music scene that we call non-offensive. It appeals to anyone from 21-81. Jam bands, blues, jazz, R&B, soul, funk and more. Our place is laid back and friendly.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
Our city sure makes it tough at times with taxes and such. I can’t say that I would recommend starting out in Chicago unless you’re really prepared to work hard and stay dedicated. That’s really the only way that I can see where someone starting out would be able to overcome the taxes and other hassles of dealing with our city.
Contact Info:
- Address: 650 N Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60654 - Website: https://www.momsplacechicago.com/
- Phone: 312-265-0768
- Email: info@momsplacechicago.como
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MomsPlaceChicago/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/MomS650
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
