West Pullman's Ethola Restaurant Receives 50,000 City Grant to Begin ConstructionBy Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Pullman ·
West Pullman residents have reason to celebrate as Ethola Restaurant and BSCP Hall at 846 W. 119th St. was recently awarded a grant from the City of Chicago to support the renovation of the property into an Afro-Caribbean restaurant and event venue. Dr. Adelanke Bademosi, the project's developer, has announced that construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the restaurant and event space expected to open to the public by the first quarter of 2027.
The development, estimated to cost $4 million, is funded through a combination of equity, private funds, and support from Chicago's Medium Grant Program. Bademosi, who has called Chicago home since moving from Nigeria in 1995, was inspired to develop the site after seeing the property sit vacant for years and noticing the lack of event spaces and sit-down restaurant options in the area. The BSCP Hall portion of the venue pays tribute to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation's first Black-led labor union founded in neighboring Pullman, honoring the union as a symbol of the rise of the Black middle class.
The space will feature a rooftop area for warm weather gatherings, weekly happy hours, and a hospitality training program in partnership with Community Assistance Programs and the Illinois Restaurant Association. The project is expected to create 18 permanent jobs and at least 30 construction positions. Residents interested in learning more about this development or other community improvement projects can find information about upcoming grant application deadlines on the city's website at Chicago.gov/CDG and Chicago.gov/NOF, with the next submission deadline set for February 13, 2026.
Sources:
1. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/ec_dev/news/2026/january/mayor-brandon-johnson-announces-33-million-grant-awards-community-development-projects.html
2. https://thetriibe.com/2025/08/south-side-doctor-eyes-west-pullman-vacant-building-as-site-for-new-restaurant-and-event-space/
3. https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2026/jan/14/mayor-brandon-johnson-announces-33-million-in-grant-awards-for-community-development-projects/
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Pullman ·
West Pullman residents have reason to celebrate as Ethola Restaurant and BSCP Hall at 846 W. 119th St. was recently awarded a grant from the City of Chicago to support the renovation of the property into an Afro-Caribbean restaurant and event venue. Dr. Adelanke Bademosi, the project's developer, has announced that construction is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with the restaurant and event space expected to open to the public by the first quarter of 2027.
The development, estimated to cost $4 million, is funded through a combination of equity, private funds, and support from Chicago's Medium Grant Program. Bademosi, who has called Chicago home since moving from Nigeria in 1995, was inspired to develop the site after seeing the property sit vacant for years and noticing the lack of event spaces and sit-down restaurant options in the area. The BSCP Hall portion of the venue pays tribute to the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation's first Black-led labor union founded in neighboring Pullman, honoring the union as a symbol of the rise of the Black middle class.
The space will feature a rooftop area for warm weather gatherings, weekly happy hours, and a hospitality training program in partnership with Community Assistance Programs and the Illinois Restaurant Association. The project is expected to create 18 permanent jobs and at least 30 construction positions. Residents interested in learning more about this development or other community improvement projects can find information about upcoming grant application deadlines on the city's website at Chicago.gov/CDG and Chicago.gov/NOF, with the next submission deadline set for February 13, 2026.
Sources:
1. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/dcd/provdrs/ec_dev/news/2026/january/mayor-brandon-johnson-announces-33-million-grant-awards-community-development-projects.html
2. https://thetriibe.com/2025/08/south-side-doctor-eyes-west-pullman-vacant-building-as-site-for-new-restaurant-and-event-space/
3. https://citizennewspapergroup.com/news/2026/jan/14/mayor-brandon-johnson-announces-33-million-in-grant-awards-for-community-development-projects/