Lisa Santos

Stories

Southport Grocery and Cafe to close after 23 years in Lakeview

Closing Southport Grocery and Cafe at the end of 2026; will hold a small stake in Dollop Finer Diner and consult

Southport Grocery and Cafe will close at the end of 2026 after 23 years at 3552 N. Southport Ave. Owner Lisa Santos, a partner in Dollop Coffee Co., said the coffee company will open Dollop Finer Diner in the space. Axios Chicago listed the closure among notable fall closures on Oct. 21.

Updated Oct 26

Notable Quotes

"I am not retiring. I need to be doing something, so I'm excited about what's next on that front."

from Southport Grocery and Cafe to close Dec. 31 after 23 years in Lake View · Updated Oct 29

"But all the cafe recipes are mine, and that's what I'm putting out in the universe next."

from Southport Grocery and Cafe to close Dec. 31 after 23 years in Lake View · Updated Oct 29

"I have people that have worked for me for 18 years. They all have jobs at the new concept. They all have a soft landing."

from Southport Grocery and Cafe to close after 23 years in Lakeview · Updated Oct 26

"I was doing the break-even analysis in my head and thinking, 'We are never going to make it.' But we found our footing, everyone got used to the crowds and here we are all these years later."

from Southport Grocery and Cafe to close after 23 years in Lakeview · Updated Oct 26