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Southport Grocery and Cafe to close after 23 years in Lakeview

Southport Grocery and Cafe to close after 23 years in Lakeview

Money Moves Chicago, IL local

Owner Lisa Santos will convert the space into a Dollop Coffee diner

Today: Closure announced

Overview

Updated 2 hours ago

Southport Grocery and Cafe, a Lakeview fixture for 23 years, will close at the end of 2026. Owner Lisa Santos plans to open a diner in its place under Dollop Coffee Co., the Chicago coffee company where she is a partner.

The change ends a neighborhood institution's run on Southport Avenue but keeps the space in Santos's hands. The grocery-cafe format gives way to a diner under her coffee company.

Why it matters

A 23-year Lakeview institution closes as its owner converts the space into a diner, changing the Southport corridor's dining options.

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Key Indicators

23
Years in business
Southport Grocery and Cafe has operated on Southport Avenue for 23 years.
1
Diner planned
Dollop Coffee Co. plans to open one diner in the restaurant's space.

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People Involved

Organizations Involved

Timeline

2003 October 2026

2 events Latest: Today
  1. Closure announced

    Today Announcement

    Block Club reports closure at end of 2026; Dollop Coffee will open a diner.

  2. Southport Grocery and Cafe opens

    Opening

    The restaurant opens on Southport Avenue, beginning a 23-year run.

Scenarios

1

Dollop Diner Opens in Southport Grocery Space

Likely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Block Club Chicago (the owner's stated plan)

Dollop Coffee Co. opens a diner in the former Southport Grocery and Cafe space after the restaurant closes at the end of 2026. The conversion keeps the location under Lisa Santos's control and gives Dollop a food-service presence on Southport Avenue.

2

Diner Plans Change, Space Reused Differently

Unlikely Resolves by Q2 2027

Discussed by: Speculative; no public indication of a change

The planned Dollop diner does not materialize. The space is used for another purpose, sold, or sits vacant after the restaurant closes. This would require a shift in Santos's or Dollop's plans.

3

Community Effort to Preserve Southport Grocery

Unlikely Resolves by Q1 2027

Discussed by: Speculative; no campaign announced

Neighbors or preservation groups push to landmark the restaurant or block the conversion. Chicago's landmarks process requires a formal application, which would be a public filing.

Historical Context

2 moments from history that rhyme with this story — and how they unfolded.

March 2020 – 2021

COVID-19 pandemic restaurant closures (2020)

The pandemic forced Chicago restaurants to shut down indoor dining for months. Hundreds of independent restaurants, including several that had operated for decades, closed permanently as revenue collapsed.

Then

Neighborhoods across Chicago lost long-standing dining institutions.

Now

The pandemic accelerated restaurant turnover and consolidation, reshaping the city's dining scene.

Why this matters now

Shows how even established neighborhood restaurants can close, and how owners respond by selling, closing, or rebranding their spaces.

2010s–present

Rising commercial rents in Chicago neighborhoods (2010s–present)

Commercial rents in Chicago neighborhoods like Lakeview have risen over the past decade, squeezing long-time independent businesses. Some owners close or sell rather than renew leases at higher rates.

Then

Neighborhoods see turnover of independent businesses as new concepts and chains move in.

Now

The character of commercial corridors shifts as older businesses give way to newer formats.

Why this matters now

Provides context for why a 23-year-old restaurant might close and be converted rather than continue operating.

Sources

(1)