27-May-16 – Remembering how busy the Chicago Riverwalk was over Memorial Day weekend last year, this year’s vendors were arguably feeling pressure to open as soon as possible.

O’Brien’s Riverwalk Café announced on Thursday it will open on Friday at 11 a.m. with a “new look” that includes new umbrellas over tables along the Chicago River east of Wabash Avenue.

One of the newest Riverwalk vendors was hoping to open this weekend. Lillie’s Park Grill will be the first food and beverage vendor along the stretch of Riverwalk called River Theatre, between Clark and LaSalle Streets.

A spokesperson for Lillie’s says they will serve Chicago-style hot dogs, Maxwell Street Polish, nachos, pizza, corn beef, roast beef, and “many other great Chicago food choices.”

“There are still some final details before opening – permits and a quick build,” says Gary Foster.

The colors of the new space will be red, blue, and yellow, but Foster says it will “blend in” with the Riverwalk.

Three other vendors are yet to open – Cyrano’s Café & Wine Bar, west of Columbus Drive, Tiny Hatt, west of Dearborn Street, and a mobile food cart, Dulce in Horto.

Concrete west of LaSalle takes shape Construction of Phase 3 of the Riverwalk, between LaSalle and Lake Streets, is focused on forming concrete foundations but also includes installing sewer lines, backfilling behind new steel river walls, and some demolition work. (Left) Construction workers walk on newly hardened concrete east of Franklin Street. (Below) Closer view of newly formed concrete docks.

Vendors learn basic river rescue On Tuesday, Riverwalk vendors and their employees were given instruction on what to do if someone falls into the river. Chicago Fire Department conducted drills at The Cove between Clark and Dearborn Streets, Marina Plaza between Dearborn and State, and in front of Island Party Hut east of Columbus Drive. (Left) With the help of a Chicago Fire Department diver, a Riverwalk employee practices throwing a ring buoy in front of Marina City. Photo obtained from City of Chicago.

Fire personnel, says a CFD spokesperson, “allowed vendors to practice pulling someone to the dockwall and throwing ring buoys. The idea is that they have some experience doing both and were able to get directions from the emergency responders of appropriate steps to take in the event of an incident.”