Mobsters, Nightclubs, and the Hidden History of Roosevelt Road

What a night! We packed the house at Charlie’s Restaurant on Friday for an unforgettable evening exploring Roosevelt Road’s fascinating mob history.

Guests gathered at the very site of the former Armory Lounge, once associated with Chicago Outfit boss Sam Giancana, for an engaging illustrated presentation by Bret Juliano. Through historical research, rare stories, and examples from his comic series Dust Bunny Mafia and Based on a True Story, Bret brought Chicago’s organized crime era to life while highlighting connections to Forest Park and Roosevelt Road.

The evening blended local history, true crime, and visual storytelling, giving attendees a fresh perspective on places they pass every day. Guests enjoyed their small bites boxes, browsed Bret’s books before and after the presentation, and filled the room with great questions and conversation.
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A huge thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this one of our most well-attended programs. Special thanks to Charlie’s Restaurant for hosting and to Bret Juliano for sharing his research, artwork, and passion for uncovering the stories hidden in our local history.