Anthony's Italian Ice Signs New Lease on Southport

After receiving word his storefront would be vacated to make room for a larger development, the owner of Anthony’s Italian Ice says he’s just signed a new lease down the street.

L3 Capital announced June 24 it purchased a slew of buildings on Southport for $6 million, adding to a $13 million investment it made in December. Now L3 Principal Greg Shott is detailing the company’s plan moving forward, specifically regarding storefronts between 3442-3446 N. Southport Ave.

Shott says by the end of 2013, Anthony’s Homemade Italian Ice and Nail Bar will close and merge with the former Southport Athletic Club to make room for a 5,600-square-foot building that will be home to a national tenant. 

Not wanting to leave the shopping corridor, Anthony’s owner Michael Mednick confirmed Thursday afternoon he just signed a new lease at 3548 N. Southport Ave., right next to Southport Grocery & Café. 

“I’m really excited to be staying on the street!” Mednick told Patch in an email.

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The storefront was once home to Lakeview Physical Therapy, which moved after a difficult rent increase.

Mednick first learned the official fate of his storefront during an interview with Patch in early July, saying he didn’t want to leave Southport.

Word on which tenant L3 is working to acquire is still under wraps. When asked about longtime rumors that both J. Crew and West Elm have been eyeing up the shopping corridor, Shott said he couldn’t go into details.

“We have a lot of strong national demand with all of the buildings we own, and we’re really cognizant of the flavor of the street,” Shott said. “We don’t want to turn it into all national retailers. We want to be careful and be perceived as adding value to the street.”