Hopleaf expansion plans moving forward
Current Hopleaf space. Credit: Lyle Bright
We’ve reported in the past that Hopleaf had purchased the building due south to them, which was formerly occupied by the Italian restaurant La Donna in hopes of expanding their business. Originally they had planned to demolish the building and build a completely new restaurant concept next door, but with the state of the economy those plans quickly changed and owners Michael and Louis Ropers decided instead to expand the Hopleaf concept into the space next door, which would allow them to host more guests and expand their kitchen.
According to Crain’s Chicago, and our photo evidence below, those plans for a $1.4 million expansion have finally been put into motion after suffering many of the setbacks with obtaining finacing that small businesses are facing today. The owners had obtained $1.3 million in financing to fund the construction of the new space from Lincoln Park Savings Bank, who also loaned him the money for the building purchase, but regulators closed the bank in April 2010. Recently the Ropers have obtained a $850,000 construction loan from Wintrust Financial Corp. and construction has begun on the expansion.
Expansion space under construction, former La Donna building. Credit: Lyle Bright
