Michael Hobbs's (michaelhobbs) Blog

So, with the news that a branch of the Federal government is suing executives of another quasi-federal government run firm, what is the likely outcome? Just in case you are not familiar with the circumstances, on Friday, the Securities and Exchange Commission waded into the Fannie/Freddie wars by...

For those that are aware of or intimately familiar with the Lincoln Avenue and Webster Avenue intersection, the ongoing battle for redevelopment of this corner has taken a turn akin to soap opera drama. Most recently, the former hospital was slated for a new Fresh Market grocery chain to serve th...

What about air time?  No not that future radio DJ spot you always dreamed of.  No not that the dream of being able to dunk on a 10' rim or jumping out of airplanes from 15,000 feet.  I'm talking about the proposal by the NTSB, National Transportation Safety Board, to ban all electronic devices in...

Whenever there is a disagree, there is always more than 1 side to the story. Digging a little deeper, the suit filed in the U.S. District Court by Plaintiff Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA” or the “Conservator”), on its own behalf and as Conservator of and on behalf of the Federal National ...

Boxing fans are in for a treat that started on Monday.....In the north corner, wearing red, white and blue is FHFA, Federal Housing Finance Agency, and in the south corner wearing blue, white and a dash of red is City of Chicago.  The match pits the local municpalities being represented by the Ci...

Yet again, more incarnations of Starbucks caffiene and alcohol combos that could arrive at five or Chicago area Starbucks locations as new 'products' and store 'formats' are tested. So, you walk into your local Starbucks at 3pm and instead of ordering a Double Soy Light Chai Latte, you opt for a ...

Ok, so I was thinking about the announcement that Starbucks is seeking to expand its presence in the local communities by including alcohol in its offerings.  As a business owner and retailer, I admire the ingenuity to bring more 'product' to the existing establishment to increase sales.  As a lo...

Just read the headline that Starbucks is seeking to increase their sales per square foot by garnering afternoon and evening traffic in 5 to 7 Chicago area stores.  Wow, what a great concept, it is like being Walmart but of the 'corner watering hole' but actually being able to get a liquor license...

2100 S Indiana, Chicago, Illinois ...once the province of emerging and expanding South Loop, became a bit of ghost town when condo buyers fled.  Things are changing again. Yet, the wheels of progress appear to be turning in the South Loop....At 2100 S. Indiana, there are plans to convert the buil...

In the industry of real estate, most of the energy is spent on discussing and acting on the present if not reminiscing on the past, but little is spent on the future.  In light of the recent conviction and sentencing of former Illinois governor, Rod Blagojevich, who will serve 14 years in prison,...