Jim’s Original, a hot dog stand in the Maxwell Street area, will not be moving to Pilsen as previously announced. The University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and Jim’s Original have agreed on a lease extension for the building at 1250 S. Union Ave., allowing the hot dog stand to stay in the area for the foreseeable future.

Background

Jim’s Original has been a Maxwell Street institution since 1939 and has moved twice within the area due to UIC’s expansion and development. The initial announcement of the move to Pilsen sparked a flurry of reactions, with some Pilsen neighbors expressing concerns about traffic, cleanliness, and safety.

Ald. Jason Ervin (28th) had blasted the university for pushing out the iconic small business, while Ald. Byron Sigcho-Lopez (25th) met with concerned Pilsen neighbors to discuss the issue. Jim’s Original owner Jim Christopoulos said the business will provide on-site security and regular trash pickup when it eventually moves to its new Pilsen location.

Future Plans

Christopoulos said the lease extension will allow Jim’s Original to stay in the Maxwell Street area for several years, giving the business time to transition to a new location. The business will eventually take over a building that used to be the diner Ken Tone’s Drive-In, which Christopoulos purchased in March.

Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.