North Avenue Market – a food hall hybrid that opened two years ago – closed for good this week. Originally housing multiple food vendors and two bars, NAM was a creative use of a former bank building and functioned as a neighborhood gathering space
Founder Chris Harris Morse (5900 W. North Ave.) made the social media announcement the day of the market’s closing – Sept. 24. “After trying numerous ways to enrich our community through a variety of shared experiences [and] without the ability for the space to be self-sustaining, we have made the extremely difficult decision to close.” He wrote that the market’s monthly expenses “far exceed our monthly revenue, leading to a model we are unable to sustain.”
Harris Morse had tried a focus shift back in March – switching from individual vendors to one restaurant. That became the Southern-style Christopher’s. The local bitters maker Bittercube also operated the speakeasy Mosler’s Vault in what was the building’s old bank vault. Bittercube plans to host a farewell party for the bar later this year at a location TBD, says proprietor Ira Koplowitz. He doesn’t plan to open a brick-and-mortar bar in the future – between Bittercube and his Heirloom Liqueurs brands, Koplowitz says they are “simply too busy.” But annual popups that showcase new and experiment products and collaboration are in the works.
As for the market space, Harris Morse said he hopes a new owner steps in – or someone will lease it. “My focus is closing out the next step and then taking some time to breathe, reflect, and then move forward,” he says.
