Top 10 Business Stories of 2012

Between Trader Joe’s coming to Chicago Avenue and Found Kitchen opening in downtown Evanston, food-related business stories were among the most popular in Evanston. Take a look at the top-most read business stories of 2012 to catch up on some of the biggest developments in Evanston.

1.

Guy Fieri, host of Diner's, Drive-Ins and Dives, visited the restaurant’s Rogers Park location in March. The episode on the Korean hamburger eatery aired a few months later.

2. Cross-Rhodes Restaurant Mourns Owner’s Death

Cross-Rhodes founder and longtime Evanston resident Jeff Russell passed away in September. His daughter, Maria, who owns the restaurant, continues to serve up Greek food at the local fixture on Chicago Avenue.

3.

Chicago restauranteur Amy Morton (of the Morton’s Steakhouse family) opened Found Kitchen this fall in downtown Evanston, at the former site of Gio on Chicago Ave.

4. Bop 'N Grill Closes Its Doors in Evanston

One day after Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives aired an episode on the Evanston and Rogers Park burger shop Bop N' Grill, the restaurant announced it was closing its Evanston location. It shut its doors on Church Street in mid-August.

5. What's the Best Preschool in Evanston?

Patch readers voted St. Joan of Arc Church the best preschool in Evanston during our Readers’ Choice poll this summer.

6. New Music Venue Ready To Rock On Church Street

Old Neighborhood Grill owner John Tasiopoulos opened 27 Live at 1012-14 Church Street in Evanston, at the former site of Carmen’s Pizza. The venue opened in December and will offer food, drinks and live music.

7.

Chef Michael Altenberg, who founded Campagnola restaurant, died in March. He was known for his passion about local, sustainable food.

8. PHOTOS: What's on the Menu at Found?

In September, Patch got a sneak peek at some of the dishes on the menu at Found, the new restaurant that opened in November at 1631 Chicago Ave.

9.

Patch reported on a meeting in June where the developer and architect answered questions about at 1211 Chicago Avenue.

10. Two Beer-Focused Restaurants Among New Businesses Opening in Evanston

The Smylie Brothers Brewpub is set to move in at the former Illinois Unemployment Office at 1608 Oak Ave., while a World of Beer franchise is opening soon at 1601 Sherman Ave.