Openings

Our Long Italian Food Nightmare Is Over: Texas De Brazil Closes, Eataly Coming

Eataly New York.
Eataly New York. Photo: Sky Full of Bacon

The dispute over the space where Mario Batali and Joe Bastianich’s Eataly Chicago will be is over after some real estate hardball. Texas de Brazil, the current tenant of roughly one-third of the space which Eataly wants for its overall complex, was behind in its rent, and owner Macerich Co. had exercised a clause to evict them in 60 days. Texas de Brazil fought back in court, claiming Macerich had exercised the clause improperly, but a judge ruled against them two weeks ago, and negotiations have ended with what all parties are describing as an amicable resolution in which Texas de Brazil closed after service on Wednesday night. With that 24,000-square foot space now available to them, we have a final count on the size of Eataly Chicago— 63,000 square feet, compared to 50,000 in New York. There’s no revised timetable for the store except that they want to be open as soon as possible; meanwhile Texas de Brazil says they are looking for a new, smaller space in the area in the 10,000-square foot range. [Chicago Real Estate Daily]

Previously: Slideshow: Whet Your Appetite For Eataly Chicago By Checking Out Eataly NY

Our Long Italian Food Nightmare Is Over: Texas De Brazil Closes, Eataly Coming