With rent overdue, 2 Taylor Street restaurants close for good

Francesca’s on Taylor has permanently closed. | Sam Charles/Sun-Times

Two restaurants on Taylor Street in Little Italy have closed for good, according to a report from Eater Chicago.

Davanti Enoteca and Francesca’s on Taylor, both owned by Chef David Harris, have ceased operations.

Harris did not respond to messages Tuesday.

Restaurants across the city and state have been decimated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it appears that mounting rent costs were a factor in the closures.

A demand letter dated June 12 from the landlord of Francesca’s, posted on a window at the restaurant at 1400 W. Taylor, said the establishment was nearly $60,000 behind on rent. The letter gave the company five days to pay or face eviction.

“Being honest, it’s a huge part of this neighborhood,” said Brian Fadden, owner of the Taylor Street Tap, which sits at the same intersection as the two restaurants. “For both of them to close, it’s really unbelievable. ... It’s a big blow. This is such a vital corner.”

There are 16 other Francesca’s locations in the Chicago area and another in North Carolina. Two other Davanti locations remain open, one in Western Springs and the other in San Diego. The first Francesca’s location opened in 1992 in Lake View. Davanti opened in 2010, according to Eater.

By Tuesday afternoon, the now-closed Taylor Street locations for both restaurants were removed from the parent company’s website.

Davanti Enoteca, 1359 W. Taylor St., is also closing.