Boston Blackie's Restaurants Closes More Locations This Week

As Owners Face Criminal Charges, Boston Blackie's Locations Close

Several Boston Blackie's locations closed Wednesday as the owners of the local popular burger restaurant face criminal charges.

As of now, five restaurants have closed, including their most popular location at 164 E. Grand Ave. in the Streeterville neighborhood, according to CBS 2 Chicago.

When the Daily Herald tried calling a few Boston Blackie's locations, the phone lines were disconnected, causing people to wonder if they're closing some or all of the restaurants.

The Boston Blackie's restaurant in Skokie undertook a name change on Monday and is now called the "Doubletree Restaurant," according to the Herald.

The chain filed for bankruptcy protection back in December. In March, Nick Giannis, 62, and his son, Chris Giannis, were charged with defrauding two banks out of almost $1.9 million in a check-cashing scheme.

Cook County State's Attorney Anita Alvarez said the scheme began in 2008 and involved several banks. Some of the banks included Charter One, Washington Mutual, Chase and Broadway Bank, owned by the family of Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Alexi Giannoulias.

Authorities said they arrested the father March 11 on the U.S. border as he was trying to enter Canada, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The Giannis' were charged with two counts of felony theft, which could mean a possible sentence of four to 15 years in prison.

As of Tuesday afternoon, phone numbers of the Lincoln Park, Glencoe and Naperville Blackie's locations were disconnected or out of service.

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