Update on Velvet Rope Arson, Location Could Get New Restaurant

The Chicago Tribune reports that a new restaurant could soon move into the currently vacant storefront at 728 Lake St. in Oak Park that was previously the home of the former Velvet Rope nightclub.

Spiro Papageorge, owner of Papaspiros Greek Taverna, recently signed a five-year lease agreement with the building's owner.

Papageorge told the Tribune that he's keeping quiet on the details for now, but said he expects to open a restaurant at the location.

The storefront has been vacant since a fire shuttered the doors of the Velvet Rope in June last year. Firefighters arrived on the scene around 6:30 a.m. June 3 to the blaze. .

Investigations Commander LaDon Reynolds told Patch on Wednesday that investigating the fire is still a high priority for the department. Reynolds said he didn't expect the department to release any new information regarding their investigation anytime soon. Detectives are still processing evidence, awaiting the results of tests and following up on leads.