LOGAN SQUARE — A beloved Puerto Rican and Caribbean restaurant is closing its Logan Square storefront this weekend, but the business plans to reopen in Humboldt Park.
Casa Yari, 3268 W. Fullerton Ave., will temporarily close its doors Sunday to relocate and take a breather as its building is in the process of being sold and the lease was not renewed, owner and chef Yari Vargas said.
“It’s been a roller coaster … we wanted to buy the building ourselves, but it was too expensive [and] it’s not as big as I wanted,” Vargas said.
The building has been for sale since September, according to the listing, though Vargas said she received mixed messages on whether the building would be sold until she was alerted about a January showing. She said she was told the new owners also own a catering company and didn’t want her to stay.
The building is under contact for $900,000, according to the real estate listing. Realtor Rosa Rodriguez-Bulza, who is representing the seller and executed the sale, said the transaction was an estate sale and that selling the building was a financial opportunity for the old landlord. She declined to answer other questions or say who the new owners are because the deal is contingent, meaning it has not yet closed.
Vargas, who has operated her restaurant for nearly 12 years in the neighborhood, said having to move was a tough pill to swallow but one that’s necessary for her business growth.
“This is my first business and where I dared to do my thing,” she said. “I built great friendships and community – but maybe this was my wake-up call. We want a bigger space.”
The award-winning restaurant, known for its colorful Latin brunch and family atmosphere, has been a neighborhood staple, especially in the face of gentrification and business turnover in the area.
The location survived a break-in and pandemic-related challenges in recent years while gaining new customers and regulars.
Luckily, Vargas isn’t going too far. She has been looking at Humboldt Park storefronts and wants to stay in the area. Her mother still lives in Humboldt Park, which is where Vargas was born and raised. Being closer to her Puerto Rican roots and community will be exciting, she said.
“It will be kind of a rebirth and I am hoping people will follow us,” she said.
She is still finalizing a location and said she anticipates an extended time period will be needed to move, fix up the new space, decorate and make it feel like home again. She hopes to reopen by late summer or early September, but Vargas said she is playing it by ear.
In the meantime, she’s planning a few pop-up collaborations with other restaurants and said she has been floored by the community support since she shared the news last week.
Vargas is tentatively planning to do some pop-ups at Paulie Gee’s in Logan Square, Irazu in Bucktown, La Bomba in Logan Square and at other location restaurants so customers can still get her food while she’s in the process of moving. She’s also thinking of selling her sauces and condiments online.
“I am grateful to my chef friends that have reached out and have been so supportive,” Vargas said.
She encourages customers to stay updated about future collaborations and location news via Casa Yari’s social media page. Customers can help by dining in at the restaurant before the temporary closure, she said.
“Obviously, the move will cost a lot and it’s a big transition – so come in like an army to support us so we can stay in business,” Vargas said. “I hope this week everybody comes out with a boom.”
Casa Yari is open 4-9:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 10:30 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Saturday (with brunch from 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. and dinner starting at 4:30 p.m.) and 10:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Sunday.
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