New year, new businesses. Whether you’re looking to start a new fitness routine, find a favorite new restaurant, or give your kiddos a chance to learn a new sport, here are businesses and restaurants that recently opened in Chicago and the suburbs to check out in 2019.
Athletics
Hi-Five Sports Zone
1515 Lake Cook Road, Northbrook
Northbrook Court is now home to this 14,000-square-foot youth sports complex, where kids will be able to learn the fundamentals of sports like basketball, football, baseball, floor hockey, and soccer through camps, classes, clinics, and more. You can also host your child’s next birthday party here. Brothers and Co-Owners Ryan and Danny Tuchman are from the area and grew up spending time at Northbrook Court. Both are excited to open Hi-Five in a place that holds so many memories for them and have an opportunity to encourage good sportsmanship — kids will be given tokens for positivity and good sportsmanship that they can then use to pick out prizes.
Dining
Kumiko
630 W. Lake St., Chicago
The team behind Oriole opened this formal bar on Dec. 31. Guests can dine on Capital Oysters in kombu butter with kumquat and nasturtium, Steam Buns with pork belly and spicy pickles, or Japanese Milk Bread with fermented honey ice cream, but the highlight here is the five-course omakase-style tasting menu ($130 per person, reservations required) that pairs five dishes and five beverages based on the guests’ preferences and cravings.
Kizuki Ramen & Izakaya
1457 N. Halsted St. A112, Chicago
This restaurant is set to open its second Chicago location at NEWCITY in Lincoln Park on Jan. 25. “Our passion is to share Japanese culture locally while providing diners with a taste of authentic Japanese ramen without having to fly to Tokyo for the experience,” says partner Kevin Yu. Favorite dishes include Tonkotsu Shoyu Ramen (pork broth with Yamaguchi soy sauce and black garlic oil), Yuzu Shio Ramen (French sea salt, kelp, and Japanese citrus), Vegetable Ramen, Spicy Ramen, and Chicken Rich Ramen, and small plate options include Takoyaki Octopus Dumplings, Japanese Pork Bun, and Vegetable Tempura.
Fitness & Health
Options Medical Weight Loss
2960 Artesian Road, Unit 144, Naperville; 14215 La Grange Road #124, Orland Park; additional locations in Chicago and Glenview
This weight loss facility will open two new locations in Naperville (Feb. 8) and Orland Park (Feb. 24) next month to join facilities in Chicago and Glenview. Patients will work with a team to find the weight loss program that best works for them based on their goals, medical history, and social obstacles. Options also offers services like Lipotropic Fat Burners, B12 Injections, meals and snacks, prescription weight loss medications, and HCG.
StretchLab
3601 N. Southport Ave., Chicago
This premier assisted stretching boutique, which opened in December, is the first stretching studio in the Midwest. According to StretchLab, deep stretching is “scientifically proven to effectually decrease pain, lower risk of injury and reduce stress.” StretchLab offers one-on-one 25-minute and 50-minute stretches in addition to small-format group stretches.
Studio Three
2401 N. Halsted, Chicago
Earlier this month, Studio Three opened its second Chicago location with three luxury studios in one building: Interval, Cycle, and Yoga. Amenities include beauty bars, full-service locker rooms, a zen rock garden, GRAZE Smoothie & Acai Bar, a Kids’ Care facility, and complimentary cycle shoes, yoga mats, towels, and Wi-Fi. Plus, the cycling studio features the Studio Three Bike, created by Eric Villency, the designer of the SoulCycle and Peloton bikes.
New in Town is an ongoing bulletin on new businesses in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs. To be considered for future listings, email anna@makeitbetter.com.
Anna Carlson writes the weekly Weekend 101 column and monthly Recommended Events. A graduate of the University of Missouri, her work has been published in Chicago Parent, Inside Columbia Magazine, and Central California Parent Magazine. She is a proud supporter of St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
