Owners of Closed River North Restaurant Break Silence After Tragedy Outside

A Tragic Night at Art-Is Restaurant and Lounge

More than three weeks have passed since a deadly drive-by shooting occurred in the River North neighborhood, but the owners of Art-Is Restaurant and Lounge have only now spoken publicly about the incident. Chef Brandi Artis shared her thoughts on camera during an interview, expressing the uncertainty that comes with trying to move forward after such a traumatic event.

“We’re just trying to figure out what’s next for us,” she said, reflecting on the impact the tragedy has had on their lives and business.

The shooting took place just after 11 p.m. on July 2, resulting in four deaths and 14 injuries. The event was initially planned as a mixtape release party hosted by Chicago rapper Mello Buckzz. The evening started off well, with attendees enjoying the celebration, but the situation turned tragic as guests began to leave.

Dr. Brittany Artis, co-owner of the restaurant, described the night as “a good night, a great night.” She emphasized that no one anticipated the outcome, stating, “Nothing [said] the end result would be what happened. Absolutely not. Nothing, nothing.”

A Community Space Under Threat

Brandi Artis explained that Mello Buckzz’s record label had reached out before the event to inquire if the venue could be used for the party. As new owners of a restaurant and lounge that opened in April, the Artises were excited about the opportunity to host such an event.

“When you have things presented to you as a new restaurant, and as a LGBTQIA space, you are honored when someone that has a hit song out with another artist that you absolutely love [reaches out], and you’re like, ‘absolutely, that would be cool to host something like that,’” Brandi Artis said. “We were just giving her a space like we would give anyone else a space because that was what our mission was.”

The couple emphasized that their goal is to create a welcoming environment where people can enjoy good food and build a sense of community. They stress that violence should never be part of the experience.

The Aftermath of the Shooting

During the incident, the Artises were inside the building when they heard the gunfire. Brittany Artis recalled the moment she realized the danger.

“We were closed. Everybody was moving outside the door,” she said. “So when I heard it, and the proximity—that concerned me … I saw the bullets fly by us, like four or five, and I said ‘get down’ and she turned around to look and see what was happening and I yelled at her again, ‘Brandi, get down.’”

Two weeks after the shooting, the Artises announced on Instagram that they would be closing the restaurant and lounge permanently.

Ongoing Investigation and Public Reaction

As of now, the Chicago Police Department is still investigating the incident, but no arrests have been made. The Artises feel that some city officials have targeted them for what happened.

Ald. Brendan Reilly (42nd Ward) commented on July 3, saying, “If you’re planning to operate a restaurant, you don’t host rap album release parties that are catering to known gang affiliates.”

Brittany Artis said she wasn’t surprised by the criticism from some members of City Council, but Brandi Artis expressed gratitude for the support from Mayor Brandon Johnson.

“We appreciate Mayor Brandon Johnson for saying that it’s not the business owner’s fault because in the Black and Brown community, we are blamed every single day for things that happen outside of our establishments,” Brandi Artis said.

Looking Ahead

Moving forward, the Artises are reevaluating their future plans for their home and business. They are also taking time to focus on their family.

“I’m a Wicker Park mom with two kids. This is not our norm. This is not what we want,” Brandi Artis said. “We may move. We may stay. We don’t know … All I can say is that I pray for the people who lost their lives, the victims. I pray for us, our staff. I pray for everyone who was involved in this to heal.”