It took less than 48 hours for Soul Vibez to get a harsh introduction to downtown Chicago. The new soul-food spot in the Near North neighborhood was hit by a burglary in the early hours of Thursday, just two days after opening its doors. Staff arrived to find a damaged front door, torn-up internal wiring, and cash registers that had been emptied, leaving the owners scrambling to fix the place almost as soon as they started serving customers.
What police and the owner said
According to ABC7 Chicago, the break-in happened between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m. Thursday in the 400-block of North Wells Street. Chicago police said a male suspect pried the front door open, damaged cables inside, and took money from the restaurant's cash registers. No one was in custody, and ABC7's video report shows the splintered entryway left behind.
Where Soul Vibez is located
City inspection records list Soul Vibez at 431 North Wells Street, in the Near North and River North corridor. Chicago Restaurant Inspections shows a December 2025 inspection for the business, which also operates suburban outposts.
A pattern of forced-entry thefts
The way the burglar got in pried doors and stolen cash from registers tracks with a wave of forced-entry burglaries that hit River North and Old Town restaurants in recent years, according to CBS Chicago. That earlier string of crimes prompted police to warn restaurant owners to beef up security on back and patio doors that thieves were targeting overnight.
Owner reaction and next steps
The restaurant's owner told reporters on social media that Soul Vibez had just opened on February 3 and that the price tag to repair the broken door and damaged wiring will likely surpass the amount of money stolen, ABC7 Chicago reported. Police said investigators are reviewing surveillance footage, and no arrests had been reported as of ABC7's story.
For now, Soul Vibez remains closed while staff assess repairs and figure out how soon they can reopen. Neighbors in the area are watching for updates, and anyone with information about the burglary is asked to contact Chicago police.
