A new barbecue restaurant and well-known barber shop chain will be opening in downtown Evanston this spring, hoping to establish themselves in the city’s competitive retail market.

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop has more than 100 locations across the country and will be opening in upcoming months. Falcon Eddy’s Barbecue was founded by the owners of Evanston sports bar and sandwich restaurant Bat 17, located just around the corner.

Bat 17 co-owner Jim Hurley said he and his partner had been “kicking around” the idea of opening a Texas-style barbecue restaurant for a long time. When a space opened up under the same landlord as Bat 17’s property, he said the idea became tangible.

“The space has only very recently become available,” Hurley said. “The landlord has been really amenable in getting us in there. It’s all come together really quickly here at the end.”

Hurley added that co-owner Jim Pomerantz’s experience living in Texas helped create the inspiration for the barbecue they expect to serve. However, the restaurant plans to forge its own style with a “spin” on traditional Texas-style barbecue.

For Hurley, Evanston’s attractions, including myriad dining options, a movie theater, music shows and Northwestern football games, have turned the area into a “flourishing downtown.”

“(Evanston has) shown a real propensity to support local businesses, locally owned businesses, and that’s what we are,” Hurley said. “We like that aspect of the community and the way it makes it all intertwined.”

The introduction of Floyd’s 99 came as more of a surprise to Paul Zalmezak, Evanston’s economic development manager. The shop will likely attract students and office workers in the area, Zalmezak said, leading him to believe the business will be a “wild success.”

Floyd’s is unique for its rock music decor and staff with “diverse styles and personalities,” which offer customers unique and authentic experiences, according to its website.

“The fact that a really well-known, recognized business opens up on Sherman just sends a signal that Sherman is a strong retail street,” Zalmezak said. “It provides a stabilizing force.”

Though the city won’t receive sales tax on Floyd’s services, Zalmezak said the barbershop will indirectly impact Evanston’s economy by creating jobs and filling a space that has been periodically vacant for the past two or three years with a “trendy” shop.

Floyd’s 99 Barbershop will be housed at 1741 Sherman Ave. and Falcon Eddy’s at 825 Church St. Other businesses coming soon to downtown Evanston include Target and Colectivo Coffee.

Ald. Judy Fiske (1st) told the Daily she is “so excited” about the additions to the Evanston community.

“People are totally committed to the community,” Fiske said. “That’s why people want to come and open up small businesses.”

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