Read on Twitter
Very sad to learn of the impending demolition of Klas, the Bohemian wonderland on Cermak Road in Cicero. (h/t @LinzeRice)
The interior of the bar & restaurant was chock full of tchotchkes and themed decor, taking Bohemian/Czech culture and history as a point of departure, but going off in a number of different directions over the years.
Klas was a contrived pastiche, not subtle or elegant, but it had the authenticity that only age can provide.
The dining room, which overlooked an enclosed courtyard, was never more than half-full on my visits. The menu featured heavy Germanic fare. I had a memorable goulash once, and also what I think was a piece of extremely oily deep-fried bread.
Even as Cicero's Bohemanian/Czech population dwindled below the number needed to support the sprawling restaurant (and upstairs event spaces!), the Black Forest-themed bar was often at least somewhat busy.
Cicero isn't my community, and Bohemian isn't my heritage. This wasn't my preservation battle to wage. But I feel badly that I didn't share photos & sound the alarm when I learned the building was vacant & threatened several years ago. It is, indeed, later than you think.
It's time for Klas again! It's a rainy day, so I edited some more photos.
Facade of the very narrow bar at the east end of the sprawling Klas complex.
Just inside the main front door to Klas was a cozy little waiting area.
This picture of the stained glass in the waiting area is making me hungry!
