From the Ground Up: Ethola Restaurant & BSCP Hall Brings Afro-Caribbean Flavor and Job Opportunities to West Pullman

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Pullman · May 21, 2026

Something exciting is taking shape at 846 W. 119th St. in West Pullman — and it smells like the future. Ethola Restaurant and BSCP Hall, the ambitious hospitality project spearheaded by South Side physician and community investor Dr. Bademosi, broke ground in early 2026 and is steadily rising on a site that sat vacant for years. Once open — projected for the first quarter of 2027 — the $4 million development promises to deliver authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine, a modern event space, a rooftop area for warm-weather gatherings, and weekly happy hours, all wrapped in a community-forward mission that goes well beyond the dinner plate.

The project is expected to create 18 permanent jobs and at least 30 construction jobs for the Far South Side. Through partnerships with the nonprofit employment agency Community Assistance Programs (CAPs) and the Illinois Restaurant Association, Ethola will also offer hospitality workforce training — giving West Pullman residents a pathway to certifications and careers in the growing industry. BSCP Hall takes its name from the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the nation's first Black-led labor union, founded in the neighboring Pullman community — a nod to the deep legacy of Black labor pride that still runs through these streets.

Alderman Ronnie Mosley (21st Ward) called the project a direct reflection of the Far South Side Quality of Life plan, and community feedback from earlier meetings has been resoundingly positive. Want to watch West Pullman's newest destination take shape? Keep an eye on 846 W. 119th St. — and when the doors open, make sure you're first in line.

Sources:
1. https://thetriibe.com/2025/08/south-side-doctor-eyes-west-pullman-vacant-building-as-site-for-new-restaurant-and-event-space/