Photo by Steven Dahlman Art Bryan Way dedicated to honor Redhead owner

By Steven Dahlman

(Left) 42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly and Mirvat Talaat Bryan unveil the honorary street sign for Mirvat’s husband, Arthur Bryan. At right is his brother, Daniel Bryan.

“No one that I’ve met in downtown Chicago had a bigger heart than Art Bryan. He cared for his employees deeply. He loved his family like few do. And I can tell you he’s going to be terribly missed here, not only in River North but in downtown Chicago in general.”

42nd Ward Alderman Brendan Reilly

September 8, 2016 – At the corner of State & Ontario on Wednesday, Arthur Bryan, the highly regarded owner of The Redhead Piano Bar in River North, became one of only about six Chicagoans in the past nine years honored with a street sign in the 42nd Ward.

A half-hour ceremony started with bagpipe music, ended with a release of balloons, and in between a crowd that had taken over the sidewalk outside Quartino Ristorante heard from family and friends of Bryan who described him as passionate and generous.

“For 22 years, Art spent more time on this block than anywhere else,” said his brother, Daniel Bryan (right). “The Redhead Piano Bar was his passion and his life and enabled him to make a large contribution to his community. He loved the Redhead. He lived on this street. On more than one occasion, I can remember Art clearly explaining to a loiterer that ‘this is my street,’ and asking him to move on. Who knew? I guess Art did.” Daniel Bryan

Art Bryan Way runs down Ontario from State to Dearborn in front of The Redhead Piano Bar.

Alderman Brendan Reilly, who introduced the proposal for the honorary street sign on May 18, said unlike his predecessor, Burton Natarus, who was “prolific in giving out these street signs,” he has been more conservative.

“We wanted to make sure that, moving forward, these signs are reserved for the most special of Chicagoans, those who are truly deserving, that really made positive contributions to our city. I can’t think of anyone who deserves this designation more than Art Bryan.”

River North Business Association Bryan was active in River North Business Association, The Magnificent Mile Association, and numerous other non-profit community-based and charitable organizations. He died in his sleep on April 14 of a heart attack. Wednesday would have been his 56th birthday.

(Left) Art Bryan with the Community Impact Award he received from River North Business Association on February 23.

(Right) Dave Johnston of Chicago Caledonian Pipe Band, and instructor for the Pipes & Drums of Chicago Police Department and Chicago Fire Department, plays the bagpipes in honor of Arthur Bryan at the corner of North State Street and West Ontario Street in River North. (Click on image to view larger version.) Photo by Steven Dahlman

Photo by Steven Dahlman (Left) Honorary street sign for Art Bryan Way, representing the 0-36 block of West Ontario Street. (Click on image to view larger version.)