Chicago restaurant hit by burglary less than 48 hours after opening

Chicago restaurant hit by burglary less than 48 hours after opening

A Chicago restaurant that celebrated its grand opening less than 48 hours earlier was burglarized in the River North neighborhood.

CHICAGO - A newly-opened soul food restaurant in Chicago’s River North neighborhood is working to recover after a burglar broke in just two days after its grand opening.

What we know:

Soul Vibes Signature, located on North Wells Street, was broken into around 4:30 a.m., according to the owners. 

Surveillance video shows a suspect calmly moving through the restaurant, stealing cash, liquor, and damaging critical systems needed to operate the business.

"This is our newest location in River North. We literally just had our grand opening two days ago, filled with love, laughter, joy, and good soul food," said Laricia Baker, co-owner of Soul Vibes. "To walk in and see this… it’s almost like a dagger to the chest."

Laricia said the suspect forced entry through the front door, breaking locks and deadbolts, then used kitchen knives to cut wires connected to the restaurant’s internet, point-of-sale systems, cameras, and computers. The damage, she says, will cost thousands of dollars to repair.

"He took a few hundred dollars in petty cash, but the registers, computers, internet access — that’s what hurts us," Laricia said. "In this day and age, you can’t run a business without systems."

The suspect also selectively stole high-end liquor before fleeing.

"He didn’t just grab anything," Laricia added. "He picked the expensive liquor. We’re talking about a picky thief."

After speaking with their landlord and reviewing surveillance footage, the owners believe the same suspect may be responsible for a similar break-in at another nearby restaurant months earlier.

"It’s the same person, same time of day, same method," Laricia said. "Police explained that he may be timing these break-ins during shift changes when response times can be slower."

Despite the damage and emotional toll, the owners say they were determined to open their doors as planned.

"We’re still opening today," said Jay, co-owner of Soul Vibes. "Even if we have to take it back to 1980 and write orders on paper, we’re not going to let this defeat us."

Jay said the suspect caused significant damage to the restaurant’s technology infrastructure, which he described as "the lifeline" of the business.

"He probably walked out with $300 to $500, but it’s going to cost us well over $2,000 to fix everything," Jay said. "That’s the part people don’t think about."

Chicago police are investigating the incident and reviewing surveillance footage. Officers told the owners the break-in appears to be part of a broader pattern affecting restaurants along the corridor.

Even so, Laricia says she refuses to let the crime steal the restaurant’s spirit.

"This place is about love, peace, and soul food," she said. "I’m not going to let someone take our joy. We’re going to push through and keep serving our community."

What's next:

Anyone with information related to the break-in is encouraged to contact Chicago police.