Belmont Avenue Is Booming: Whole Foods Eyes Lakeview's Long-Empty Anchor Space — and Guzman Y Gomez Is Rolling In Too

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Lake View · May 1, 2026

Big news for Lake View's Belmont corridor: two major retail and dining names are putting down roots in the neighborhood, and locals have plenty of reasons to get excited.

First, the grocery headline everyone's been waiting for. Whole Foods Market is expected to open at 827 W. Belmont Avenue, stepping in as the anchor tenant for the Lakeview Connection building — a 60,000-square-foot, two-level development that has sat largely vacant since its 2023 debut. With only a Fifth Third Bank branch operating on a corner of the property, the space had long frustrated neighbors hoping for a vibrant retail hub at the busy Belmont and Halsted intersection. If the deal is finalized, it would give Whole Foods a third foothold in the immediate area, underscoring the neighborhood's enduring appeal to major grocery brands.

Meanwhile, just down the block, fast-casual Australian-Mexican chain Guzman Y Gomez has announced a new Lakeview location at 925 W. Belmont — right next door to the beloved Reckless Records, within easy walking distance of the Belmont Red Line station. The brand is expanding across the North Side, bringing its fresh, bold Mexican flavors to a stretch of Belmont that's quietly becoming one of the hottest retail corridors on the North Side.

Between a long-awaited grocery anchor and a buzzy new dining arrival, Belmont Avenue is having a moment. Stay tuned for opening dates — and get ready to make this stretch of Lake View your new go-to!

Sources:
1. https://therealdeal.com/chicago/2026/04/22/whole-foods-eyes-lakeview-retail-anchor-slot/
2. https://whatnow.com/chicago/restaurants/fast-casual-mexican-chain-planning-two-new-north-side-locations/