Boathouse Rowers; Closure of Bucktown Boutique Make Week's Top 5

In Chicago, news happens fast, making it easy to miss something.

That's why we're giving you a refresher regarding the North Side's top stories during the past week or so. Look for this new feature on Patch every Saturday. 

Clark Park Boathouse Rowers: 'Big Fish in Small Pond'

The move from a floating barn behind the Whole Foods in Lincoln Park to new, state-of-the-art boathouses at Clark Park in Roscoe Village is more than just a vanity upgrade for one area organization.

Comprising more than 300 rowers, the LPJ Chicago Rowing team is hoping its move to the more spacious and functional facility will push its program even further toward its goal.

• Read the full story on North Center-Roscoe Village Patch. 

High Rent Pushes Out Long-Standing Bucktown Boutique

A local boutique that's been a Bucktown fixture for more than a decade is closing its doors at the end of May, thanks to a new landlord and doubled rent.

Riley., 1659 North Damen Ave., is known for its contemporary clothing with a "modern bent" from French Connection, Ted Baker and Akiko for women, and many others.

• See the full story on Bucktown-Wicker Park Patch.

Local Maid-Rite Closes After 6 Months in Business

Maid-Rite didn't even last one year in Lincoln Park.

The burger joint—made famous by its "loose meats" sandwich—at 2429 N. Lincoln Ave. has closed, sources confirmed Thursday. An independently owned franchise, it opened in late September 2012 near the corner of Lincoln and Fullerton avenues. It was the first Maid-Rite in Chicago.

• Read the full story here on Lincoln Park Patch.

Charter School Pulls Out of Lincoln Square Location

A charter school company has pulled out of a possible Lincoln Square location after residents protested the school at a neighborhood meeting.

A Concept Schools representative said community resistance and poor timing led officials to withdraw their request for the charter school’s location. The charter school management company applied for a zoning change at 2050 W. Balmoral Ave. with Ward 40 Ald. Patrick O’Connor earlier in March.

• Read the full story on Lincoln Square Patch.

‘Straight-Friendly’ Hotel Aims to Cement Boystown as LGBT Epicenter

Developers behind the newly announced “straight-friendly” hotel planned for the heart of Boystown presented their vision for The OUT Chicago Thursday, saying they hope it will reinforce the area as a major LGBT community in the United States.

Ian Reisner, managing partner of Parkview Developers and founder of The OUT NYC, showed a packed room of residents and business owners preliminary details for his new hotel, slated to be finished by 2015.

• Read the full story on Lake View Patch.

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