Transit customers can now enjoy Thai cuisine, southern Cajun dishes and sweet desserts close to some of their favorite rail stations
The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) today continued its commitment to supporting local businesses and providing its riders with convenient food and beverage options by welcoming a dessert café and a Thai food restaurant to the Blue Line. The ground floor of CTA headquarters, located at 567 W. Lake St., will also be the new home of one of Chicago’s most popular restaurants, Wishbone.
The as-yet-unnamed café owned by L & X Investments, LLC will be leasing the concession space at the Washington Blue Line, located at 127 N. Dearborn St. in Chicago. The new café will offer donuts, tea, cakes and ice cream, as well as sugar-free, fat-free and gluten-free items.
Another new restaurant, The Sala Pao Shop, is coming to the Blue Line Western station on the O’Hare branch. This new dining spot, located at 1909-1911 N Western Ave., will offer ready-to-eat Thai cuisine, such as steamed buns, Thai coffee, Thai tea and other drinks.
Those who use the Clinton station on the Green/Pink Line or the Metra Ogilvie Transportation Center will be able to enjoy unique southern dishes with a Cajun spin at Wishbone restaurant. A long-time favorite originally located in the West Loop, Wishbone will move into the ground level of CTA Headquarters located at 567 W. Lake this summer with an anticipated fall opening. The new restaurant will occupy more than 5,500 square feet and operate five days a week, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner. Wishbone will also have exclusive use of the outdoor dining area adjoining the space.
The leases awarded to L & X Investments and The Sala Pao Shop have base terms of five years, with an option to renew for another five years. The lease with Wishbone has 10-year base term with two five-year renewal options.
With the value of all three leases totaling more than $1.9 million, these new retail shops will help boost CTA’s non-farebox revenue and provide customers and the surrounding community with additional amenities and services that help stimulate the local economy. Since 2011, the CTA has executed approximately $21.1 million in new retail leases of concessions at CTA stations.
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