Ammonia Spill At Celeb Chef's Place, Big Expansions: IL Business News

ILLINOIS — It's been a busy week for business in Illinois: One door (or restaurant) closes, another opens as area suburbs are saying goodbye to some eateries while welcoming new ones, a massive home decor store will open to fanfare and an ammonia spill caused injuries at a celebrity chef's restaurant.

Here's a look at some of Illinois Patch's top business stories for the week:

1 Hurt In Ammonia Spill At Celebrity Chef's Restaurant

Hazmat crews responded, and the new restaurant was evacuated around 9:15 p.m. after the spill took place and the ammonia had begun to off-gas. One person was taken to a hospital with injuries.

Countdown To Opening Day For Massive Wayfair Store

Nearly two and a half years after Wayfair revealed plans to open its first brick-and-mortar location, the online retailer announced Thursday it plans to open to shoppers next month. Its 150,000-square-foot store aims to create a shopping destination, including a restaurant on-site called "The Porch." Swedish retailer Ikea has employed a similar strategy, an effort to encourage extended visits in a more engaged environment.

Vinyl Comes Alive At Renowned Record Store

When the storefront at 11612 became available for rent in September 1971, the Dreznes family filled it with records, and it's been a haven for music lovers ever since.

Hello, Harold's Chicken Shack, Goodbye Giovan's Pasta & Pizzeria

Giovan Jr.'s Pasta & Pizzeria flopped under new ownership, and went out of business in December 2022. But now there's new hope for the site as a Harold's Chicken Shack opens up.

Audiophil's Records Finds New Downtown Store, Triples Space

When Phil and Tiffany Johnson opened the city's first exclusive records store in 2018, they figured it would be a success if they lasted a year. Six years later, the owners of Audiophil's Records have turned into a =destination, regularly drawing record enthusiasts from other cities and states.

'Always Been The Plan': Hewn Bakery Plans Third Location In Former Coin Shop

The artisanal breadmaker is baking up plans to open a second satellite location, having expanded to another suburb last year.

Phase Three Brewing Hosts Artisan Market

The event coincided with the "420 holiday," featuring over three dozen local artists and makers curated by the esteemed Streetz Artz Alliance.

Suburban Chef 's 'Birria Burger' Takes Second At Prestigious Food Fest

The executive chef for Uncle Bud’s came in second out of 75 chefs competing in the prestigious South Beach Food and Wine Festival in Miami, Fla., seven of whom were Michelin Star Chefs, with a birria burger inspired by a secret recipe of his grandmother’s.

17 Discounts For Restaurant Week Revealed

For 10 consecutive days, some participating restaurants will showcase specially curated prix fixe menus with prices set at $25 for brunch or lunch, and $45-$50 for dinner (excluding beverages, tax and gratuity). Others will offer discounts including a free drink, dessert or appetizer, buy one, get one free entrée, or 20 percent off.