CHICAGO ~ POTLUC, a Black woman-owned restaurant led by chef Mary Proietti, has opened at 6004 W. North Ave. in Chicago's Austin neighborhood, bringing a previously vacant commercial property back into use.

The $832,000 project received a $247,000 grant through the city's Neighborhood Opportunity Fund (NOF). The funding supported interior and exterior renovations to the single-story building, including a rooftop dining area. The property previously housed a clothing store before remaining vacant for an extended period.

Mayor Brandon Johnson said the restaurant creates a gathering place for residents and reflects the kind of neighborhood investment his administration wants to support. Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright said projects such as POTLUC can contribute to local commerce and culture.

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The restaurant is open for brunch and dinner. Its menu draws on cuisines from the Mediterranean, Africa, India, the Caribbean and the American South.

POTLUC is one of eight Austin projects supported by NOF under the Johnson administration. The grants total $1.7 million and support more than $2 million in project costs, according to the city. The Department of Planning and Development has provided more than $30 million in incentives for more than 40 Austin projects under the administration, representing $127 million in total investment, the city said.

Established in 2017, the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund has supported more than 135 completed projects across Chicago, with grants totaling nearly $22 million, according to the department.

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