(Above) Southwest corner of BIN 36 Chicago from across North Dearborn Street.

December 2, 2009 – BIN 36 Chicago, described by Metromix Chicago as “a wine retail store, tavern and restaurant all rolled into one,” turns ten years old this month.

General Manager Dan Sachs says the exact date is December 20. “I am sure we’ll do something fun that day, [I am] just not sure what as yet.”

The Marina City establishment is embarking on a month-long campaign to help a local charity that provides scholarships to children of low-income families.

According to its web site, Horizons for Youth “provides scholarships, mentoring and a unique community of support for children from low-resource areas of Chicago.”

Throughout December, BIN 36 is donating two percent of its retail sales, “an array of wine, books and other creative items,” according to a December 1 announcement, to the charity. For every bottle of wine sold at lunch or dinner, BIN 36 will also donate one dollar.

On December 9, BIN 36 is donating $5 from every $50 ticket sold to its “Bubble Bath 10” event, as well all proceeds from a silent auction and raffle.

“At this annual holiday fete of Champagne and sparkling wine,” reads the announcement, “guests can sample more than 75 varieties hand-picked by Wine Director Brian Duncan while enjoying an array of bubbly-friendly bites prepared by Executive Chef John Caputo.”

By the bottle or by the case, wines presented at the event that day will be available for purchase at a 20 percent discount.

Best in-store dining, says Bon Appetit

The December issue of Bon Appetit puts BIN 36 in its Top 10 “Best In-Store Dining Spots.”

“A mixed case of wine is a fine gift,” says the food magazine. “But let’s be honest – you’ll need a glass of vino and a nice cheese plate to help you pick out those 12 bottles. That’s when Chicago’s restaurant, wine bar, cheese bar, and market comes in handy.”

In 2003, Sachs (left) told Nation’s Restaurant News he opened BIN 36 with managing partner David Schneider and wine director Brian Duncan to make wine “fun and accessible.”

While older than some commercial tenants at Marina City, BIN 36 is still the new kid on the block compared to House of Blues Chicago, which opened in November 1996.

Smith & Wollensky opened in 1998 in space that had been a skating rink.

According to manager Alex Espinoza, Marina Food & Liquor has been on the lower level of Marina City’s commercial platform for at least ten years, in two locations.

And although its ownership and type of business has evolved, Marina Management Corporation can trace its history back to 1962.

Despite claims by residents that a special discount was no longer being given, manager Dan Sachs says Marina City residents do get a 15 percent discount at BIN 36 and Amano Italian Trattoria, another restaurant he co-owns, located below BIN 36 on North Dearborn Street.

 More information on BIN 36 events