Estimated $250K Buildout Beginning at Bucktown Nike

Construction will soon be under way at Bucktown’s new Nike Factory Store, transforming the former Cans Bar & Canteen into the sportswear retailer.

City of Chicago building permits show crews expect to spend roughly $250,000 on this phase of construction at 1640 N. Damen Ave., work that won’t include any work to the façade of the building at this time. Construction is also on time after Nike officials projected to start work by July 15.

The new Nike Factory Store will be almost 5,500-square-feet, taking over the first floor and basement of the building. Exterior improvements will include adding additional windows, among other things.

Real Estate Investor Newcastle Limited purchased the building on Jan. 11 for more than $3 million, according to the Cook County Recorder of Deeds. The 83-year-old building is one block from the Milwaukee, North and Damen avenues intersection.

The store follows the opening of the "women's only" center, Nike Training Club, which came to Armitage Avenue in nearby Lincoln Park at the end of January.

News of Cans' closing came Feb. 6 when the tavern announced its departure on its Facebook page, asking fans to suggest neighborhoods for a potential relocation.

Rumors swirled about Nike potentially taking over the storefront before it was officially confirmed in late May.