When Johnny & Cheryl got a chance to move to Chicago for her career in 2023, it opened the door for another unexpected opportunity: to buy an old dive bar and make it part of their new Midwest chapter together.

The San Francisco couple bought Teddy Bear Lounge, 3513 N. Pulaski Road, when its former owner retired after 36 years. The space itself had been a bar for about 90+ years.

Why “Teddy Bear Lounge”? There was a Cubby Bear and a Grizzly Bear bar close by, so the owner back in the 80’s named it Teddy Bear. However, Cheryl & Johnny say their bear is a bit “Salty” - and that’s how their mischievous mascot Salty the bear was born.

Photo courtesy of BC story by Ariel Parrella-Aureli