Lincoln Park's Spring Surge: Mercadito Heads to Lincoln Ave., Baggu Sets Up Shop on Halsted, Two Fuzzy Takins Settle In at the Zoo & Schneider Deli Opens Its Doors

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lincoln Park · April 11, 2026

Lincoln Park is proving once again that spring is its season to shine — with a wave of exciting new arrivals hitting the neighborhood all at once. First up for food lovers: River North staple Mercadito is bringing its beloved Mexican flavors to 2423 N. Lincoln Ave., with an opening expected in late April or early May. The restaurant — known for handcrafted tacos, tequila cocktails, and a $35 bottomless brunch — will be helmed by Executive Chef Alexander Quintero and will carry forward its community-minded "Tacos 4 Strength" program, benefiting the International Latino Cultural Center of Chicago. Meanwhile, on the retail front, cult bag brand Baggu has filed permits to open a new 2,200-square-foot store at 2118 N. Halsted St. — its second Chicago location — nestled in a buzzing corridor near Solidcore, Barry's, and Café-Ba-Ba-Reeba. And if you haven't yet stopped in: Schneider Deli officially opened April 1st at 1733 N. Halsted St. in the former Pizza Capri space, bringing family-recipe Jewish deli classics like lox plates, matzo ball soup, and reubens right next door to Michelin-starred Boka.

Over at Lincoln Park Zoo, there's more adorable news: two Sichuan takin brothers — 3-year-old Porter and 2-year-old Taiyang — have officially moved into their new home, arriving from the Potawatomi Zoo in South Bend, Indiana. The goat-antelope duo, native to the mountainous bamboo forests of central China, will soon get to explore a brand-new climbing structure built just for them. "Takins are such a fun and unique animal to see, and we're excited to welcome these two brothers," said zoo Curator Dan Boehm. Come meet Porter and Taiyang, grab a taco at the new Mercadito, and swing by Halsted for some retail therapy — Lincoln Park's spring has never looked better!

Sources:
1. https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/04/06/mercadito-expanding-to-lincoln-park-with-tacos-tequila-and-35-bottomless-brunch/
2. https://chicago.suntimes.com/small-business/2026/04/07/cult-bag-brand-retailer-baggu-open-second-chicago-store
3. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/lincoln-park-zoo-takins/
4. https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/schneider-deli-opens-old-pizza-capri-halsted-street/