A touch of snow on the outdoor seating area
It’s the end of an era as the Heartland Cafe is closing after 42 years. The quirky Rogers Park Chicago staple has occupied the space at the corner of Glenwood and Lunt since 1976.
My wife and I decided to have one last lunch and say goodbye to a place where we spent many summer evenings a long time back. The Heartland was known for booking bands that were so good you never heard of them. It was also a place where Chicago politicians would drop by when they were in need of lake side liberal votes, so one never quite knew just who would walk in.
El sign over dining room entrance.
Michael James, a co-founder of the restaurant/store said in a recent interview that the Heartland opened Aug. 11, 1976 and had 43 customers. The idea was to have a place where people could discuss topics, eat and enjoy music. It worked. Until now. New plans call for the cafe to re-open in a location that (hopefully) will be somewhere in the neighborhood. It certainly would be too bad if that doesn’t happen.
Remnants of the store.
This sign sums it up.
