If you commute using the 43rd Street EL station, you’ve probably noticed a huge transformation in this area of Bronzeville.
Only a decade ago the block between Martin Luther King Drive and South Prairie Avenue appeared abandoned, with only the historic Forum building standing as a beacon of hope, which was saved from demolition and purchased by philanthropist and entrepreneur Dr. Bernard Loyd in 2011.
Shortly after in 2016 the renovation and expansion of the Pendleton (Hadiya) Park in 2016, which is visible from the train tracks, gave the neighborhood a much needed facelift.
In 2019 the modern Bronzeville Metropolitan Town homes were constructed at the corner of MLK and 43rd street. And this year just east and west of the 43rd street El train Station two brand new medium size high rises were built.
In addition two blocks west of the El station a convenience store is in the process of reopening its doors after having been closed for many years.
A few weeks ago as I was taking some pictures of the exterior of the Forum Cafe, Bernard, as Dr. Loyd likes to be called, shows up on his bicycle. It’s not really good timing on my part. It’s hard not to see or run into Bernard somewhere in Bronzeville if you’re paying attention.
He invites me to the spacious two level interior of the cafe and starts to explain the restaurant will open in early 2026 and cater to commuters, offering coffee, breakfast and lunch at first, attempting to eventually open on weekend evenings as well and serve alcohol.
“The idea of having a place here with real food where people can also grab something to go has always been compelling to me,” he says.
He tells me the restaurant was a sandwich shop 30 years ago. It had already been closed for 14 years in 2011 when he salvaged the old historic Forum and its side buildings. There are two vacant shops next to the Forum which he hopes will be leased by creative businesses soon.
I tell him over the years I have seen a considerable amount of exterior work being done in the Forum buildings. However, he explains the old historic retail, ballroom, and performance space still needs about a $30 million investment to open for business. He hopes the restaurant will continue attracting investments in Bronzeville.
Dr. Loyd is the founder of Urban Juncture and the driving force behind revitalizing the historic Bronzeville neighborhood in Chicago, leading the charge to restore The Forum as a cultural and event center. He also spearheads the build Bronzeville initiative , which includes the Bronzeville Incubator and Boxville (shipping container market) aiming to rebuild black commerce and culture.
Being a person who regularly uses the El, I am looking forward to the opening of the Forum Cafe restaurant!
Copyright © 2025 Jorge Luis Carbajosa
Tags: 43rd EL Train Station, Bernard Loyd, Bronzeville, chicago-neighborhoods, CTA 43rd El Station, The Forum, The Forum Cafe
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