That staff at Branch 27 sure is smart!

I just got home from a staff training at Branch 27, a new place opening up on West Chicago Avenue.  Years ago, a really good friend of mine and her future husband lived in a big-but-not-so-nice apartment just east of the corner of Chicago and Ashland.  There were no cell phones back then, and they didn't have a buzzer on their outside door where you could ring the bell and they would come down and let you in.  There was a phone booth right on the corner where the North Community Bank is now.  So when we would go over and visit them, what we would do is we would go to the phone booth and call the operator (there were human operator people back then, too).  We would place a collect call to them from "Bozo".  That way we didn't have to pay the quarter for the phone call.  Our friends would pick up the phone and the operator would say, "you have a collect call from Bozo".  Our friends would say, "Bozo?  I don't wanna talk to that clown!" and hang up.  Then they would know somebody was downstairs and come down and let us in.  

I think about that every time I am in that neighborhood, which is pretty much every day.  That area has changed SO MUCH in the last ten years, I can't even tell you.  I guess it is like Andersonville, and Wicker Park.  Nicer shops, better restaurants, better beer.  So, at 1371 West Chicago, there used to be a Branch of the Chicago Public Library.  The 27th branch.  Get it?  Branch 27!  They are going to have a rocking beer list featuring North Coast's Pranqster, Red Seal, Malheur 10, Chimay, Southern Tier Porter, Anchor Steam, Dogfish Head 90 minute, and lots of other excellent beers.  From the sound of the menu and the overall look of the place, I really believe it is going to be the hottest bar/restaurant in the neighborhood.  AND all the staff is very intelligent and good-looking.  Looks to me like they'll be open in a week or so.  So go!  P.S.  I think Ryan Seacrest should be given the title of President of Wasting Time in an Irritating Way.