Southbridge Scores Its First Retailers: Batter & Berries and 24Life Are Open — and South Loop's Newest Mixed-Use Hub Is Just Getting Started

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/South Loop · April 24, 2026

Big news for the stretch of South Loop bridging Chinatown, Bronzeville, and the neighborhood's core: the Southbridge development has officially welcomed its first retail tenants, and the duo couldn't be a more fitting welcome mat. Beloved brunch institution Batter & Berries and fitness studio 24Life Training & Fitness have both opened their doors at the 15-acre mixed-use site, marking a milestone moment for a development that will eventually include more than 850 homes and hundreds of public-housing units. Mayor Brandon Johnson and community leaders gathered for a ribbon cutting at 23rd Place at Southbridge to celebrate the occasion — and the city recently approved tax-increment financing to keep the momentum going into the next phase of construction.

For Sloopers, Batter & Berries needs no introduction — the Chicago brunch legend has built a devoted following with its French toast flights and elevated comfort food. Pairing it with 24Life Training & Fitness gives the Southbridge campus an instant mix of indulgence and wellness that feels tailor-made for the neighborhood's energy. The development is poised to become a true community anchor connecting three of Chicago's most vibrant South Side communities.

With TIF funding approved and more retail, housing, and public space on the way, Southbridge is shaping up to be one of the most exciting long-term stories in the South Loop. Have you visited Batter & Berries or 24Life at Southbridge yet? Drop your thoughts in the Socialhood community!

Sources:
1. http://www.sloopin.com/
2. https://blockclubchicago.org