FULTON MARKET — The Wild Hare & Singing Armadillo Frog Sanctuary, a mecca for reggae music in the Midwest and beyond, is leaving the North Side and moving to Fulton Market.

The legendary bar, dubbed “Reggae Capital USA,” is moving from Lincoln Park to 950 W. Fulton Market as part of a new venture by Taratsa Hospitality Group, which is taking over ownership of 950-954 W. Fulton Market from Avli Hospitality Group.

The Wild Hare’s management hopes to open late spring on the lower level of 950 W. Fulton Market, Taratsa Hospitality principals told Block Club Chicago.

Avli split from its private equity partner, parting ways with its stake in Fulton Market, which includes private event space Morgan’s on Fulton, new quick-service Greek restaurant Pitaki and a yet-to-be-announced restaurant on the northeast corner of Fulton and Morgan.

The Taratsa Hospitality team includes CEO Alan Cichon, former president of Avli Hospitality; Louie Alexakis, founder of Avli; Fox 32 Chicago sports anchor Lou Canellis, and private equity investor William V. Glastris Jr.

The club will be accessible via a hidden alley entrance where the original Wild Hare sign will eventually hang. The venue is initially planned to be open five days per week, with live performances, DJ nights and artist showcases on the lower-level main stage and rooftop.

“We have a large, very flexible venue that can serve as a sort of one-stop shop for anevening and for friends to meet up,” Cichon said in a statement to Block Club. “If you are looking to have dinner and catch an early set of live music, we can deliver a terrific experience. If you are hosting an event and want a late-night spot to continue the festivities, we can customize a show, including with a house band.

“If you are looking for the best live reggae and world beat on the planet, you will find it here.”

The venue plans to host a variety of live music and comedy performances. Some events will be free, others will have a cover charge and some will be ticketed, Glastris said.

A live show at The Wild Hare in Lincoln Park. Credit: Wild Hare FacebookThe Wild Hare in Lincoln Park. Credit: Wild Hare Facebook

The Wild Hare started as a country music bar on Clark Street in Wrigleyville that booked bands of various genres, among them the popular Ethiopian reggae band Dallol led by Zeleke Gessesse.

The six-member band fled Ethiopia during a civil war and settled in Chicago, according to a 1985 Chicago Tribune article. After settling in Chicago, Dallol gained recognition by performing at venues across the country, including the Wild Hare. Their success led to a record deal with Bob Marley’s label, and they toured with Ziggy Marley & the Melody Makers.

In 1986, Gessesse and his bandmates bought the Wild Hare and reopened it as a reggae venue, transforming it into a reggae hotspot that over the next 25 years hosted legendary artists including Rita Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Toots and the Maytals, Freddie McGregor, Shabba Ranks and Barrington Levy.

In 2011, citing a weak economy and an evolving music landscape, Gessesse announced he would be closing Wild Hare and returning to Ethiopia to open his own reggae club.

As Gessesse moved on, two of his bandmates, Ruphael Woldemariam and Asrat Sellassie, remained in Chicago and partnered with sound engineer Joel McCarthy and Glastris to revive the Wild Hare in Lincoln Park.

Co-owners Joel McCarthy, left, Ruphael Woldemariam and Asrat Selassie sit on the empty stage of the Wild Hare in 2013.

Credit: DNAinfo/Paul Biasco

The Wild Hare weathered a three-year delay before hosting live music again in 2014 because of legal battles and fierce neighborhood opposition. Glastris said at the time he felt targeted because of the bar’s diverse audience, according to a 2013 DNAinfo Chicago article.

While Glastris is the only remaining owner of the Wild Hare, the venue is bringing longtime general manager Richard Johnson and production manager Tony Lewis to the new Fulton Market location. Both have worked for the Wild Hare for more than 20 years, Glastris said.

Wild Hare will release its opening schedule later this spring, Taratsa Hospitality said.

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