New Lululemon On the Gold Coast

Someone who describes herself as a "sometimes reader" (what's up with that?) of this blog e-mailed us these pictures today of the newly erected retail space at the corner of Rush and Walton.

This was formerly the location of a Gino's East pizza joint that was torn down.  Then it was used for construction storage while the Elysian Chicago was built.  Now it's retail, and from the signs in the window -- it looks like it's going to be a Lululemon yoga place (with an address of 930 North Rush Street).  No opening date is posted, but a note on the Lululemon web site notes that the Rush and Walton location is "coming soon!"

Last we heard about this location was a Crain's article from last year that stated that men's clothier Varvatos was heading into this space.  While the chances of me practicing yoga at Lululemon or anywhere else are pretty close to zero, it's nice to have this space filled, and we welcome Lulu to the neighborhood.

And for those of you who don't get our Tweets, it looks like the Sur La Table nearby is going to become a Sprinkles cupcake joint by March.

Double Trouble for 108 North State

Crain's Chicago Business reports that one important store isn't going to open at 108 North State (Block 37) after all, and that means a second wants out.

The report cites a lawsuit stating that Apple has decided not to open an Apple Store at the Loop mall.  Upon hearing that, potential retail neighbor Lululemon decided it doesn't want to open its shop at Block 37, either.  The lawsuit says Lululemon has a co-tenancy agreement, so that if there's no Apple, there's no Lululemon.

Lululemon claims it was told by the mall that Apple never signed a lease.