A city program has awarded Demera Restaurant an extensive grant, which means the popular Ethiopian restaurant is able to move locations. The new space will include an expansive rooftop and an expanded menu. Demera Ethiopian Restaurant is able to move forward with plans to move to 4528 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.
Owner Tigist Reda has been awarded the Chicago Recovery Plan and Community Development Grant for a total of 3.1 million. While the overall project is projected to cost somewhere between $6 to $9 million– it will be located in a new space, with offices and apartments in between. Demera will occupy the ground level and the rooftop. Right now, they aren’t sure how to best utilize the rooftop space, as rooftop venues and sidewalk patios are rarities on Chicago’s South Side, but the grant and the move are both exciting prospects to consider.
Demera’s rooftop is sure to be a big deal, bringing an incredible rooftop restaurant to the South Side. It’s sure to draw crowds, as the North Broadway location is already increasingly popular, serving traditional Ethiopian cuisine.
Plus, with a new restaurant comes a new or expanded menu as well. While details are still being kept under wraps, loyal customers can expect the same incredible menu, but there will also be new wings and kitfo rolls made with injera, a spongy flatbread.
The project could bring over 50 jobs to the neighborhood, and right now, they’re hopeful for a 2025 opening at 4528 S. Cottage Grove Avenue, moving from its current North Broadway location. The new Demera location will exist amongst a new restaurant row in Bronzeville. Situated along Cottage Grove, they’ll be close to Bronzeville Winery, which opened last year.
The popular Ethiopian restaurant isn’t the only recipient of a Chicago Recovery Plan and Community Development Grant, with over 12 grant recipients awarded a total of $29 million awarded to food projects in the city.
Other recipients include:
- Thai Pastry in Uptown received a $156,000 grant and plans to open another location on Argyle. Circle Foundation, was awarded a grant to build a student-run cafe inside a community center. https://circlefound.org/
- Kilwins Hyde Park received a grant to build a patio space at the Hyde Park location.
- Southside Market received a grant to build a micro-grocery cooperative. https://www.chisouthsidemarket.com/
- Yellow Banana was awarded a grant to build a 10,000-square-foot location.
Demera’s current address is 4801 North Broadway Street, Chicago, IL 60640
The new address will be 4528 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.