Bucktown Gets a New Creative Hub: Print-Only Newspaper 'The Pub' Opens Its Doors on Milwaukee Avenue

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Bucktown · March 18, 2026

In a neighborhood already brimming with independent spirit, Bucktown has a bold new cultural landmark to celebrate. "The pub," a free, print-only quarterly newspaper rooted in Chicago's DIY culture, held a grand opening for its brand-new office headquarters on Friday, March 13 — bringing a refreshingly analog creative hub to the heart of the neighborhood.

Founded by Ian Fugett after falling in love with the hands-on process of making zines and physical media, the publication was born out of a desire to reclaim something lost in the age of digital content. Inspired by literary print papers like The Goose Egg and County Highway, Fugett self-funded the venture and built it into a genuine community gathering place. The new Bucktown space — open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. — is far more than a publishing office. It hosts regular writing workshops, open mic nights, Midwest-themed reading groups, and one-of-a-kind events like a press-on nail workshop using newsprint. A rack near the entrance also stocks other beloved free papers, including South Side Weekly and the Chicago Reader, making it an instant destination for print lovers across the city.

For neighbors who've watched Bucktown evolve as a creative corridor, "the pub" feels like a natural fit — a space where first-time writers nervously read their work aloud and leave cheered on by a room full of strangers. Stop by the new Milwaukee Avenue office, pick up the latest edition, and consider joining one of the upcoming events. Bucktown's literary scene just got a whole lot more interesting.

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/16/print-only-newspaper-the-pub-opens-office-in-bucktown-as-readers-embrace-old-school-medium/