For Shatondrea Cox-Williams, 14Forty Bar & Grill at 1440 S. Kedzie Ave. is about continuing a family legacy, reviving a longtime neighborhood gathering place, and creating a destination where people can eat, drink, watch sports, and connect.
Cox-Williams serves as Chief Operating Officer and co-owner of 14Forty, which she opened with her husband, Patrick Williams. The business occupies a building with deep family roots. Cox-Williams’ grandparents originally ran a bar there beginning in the 1980s.
Her grandparents’ business eventually closed around 2013, but Cox-Williams had already developed a personal connection to the establishment. She managed the bar from 2003 to 2013, giving her firsthand experience with the customers and community.
“I loved it,” she said. “I loved seeing people in my community, talking to people, and just the energy we all bring together.”
When she and her husband decided to bring the concept back, they wanted to build on the foundation her grandparents created while adding something new.
Rather than reopening strictly as a tavern, they envisioned a bar and grill that would also offer a more extensive food menu.
The name 14Forty connects simply to the location’s address and carries a broader meaning for the owners: There are 1,440 minutes in a day, and Cox Williams wants customers to know that whenever they choose to spend some of those minutes at the establishment, their presence is appreciated.
A Business Built Through Persistence
Shatondrea’s entrepreneurial journey also reflects the persistence required to turn a vision into reality.
She applied for a city grant several times before finally being approved.
Rather than give up after multiple denials, she continued refining her application and was ultimately approved in 2023 through Chicago’s Neighborhood Opportunity Fund program.
The process also required extensive work, including submitting permits, plans, and other applications through the city.
“I initially applied three or four times,” she said. “I was denied three times, but I kept applying and improving my application based on what I felt needed to be included. Finally, on my fourth attempt, I was approved.”
Bringing Back a Neighborhood Gathering Place
The opening of 14Forty is also personal for Cox-Williams, who remembers a time when the surrounding area had more businesses and activity. Growing up in the neighborhood, she recalls being able to find many of what residents needed without leaving the community. She hopes 14Forty can help bring some of that energy back by increasing foot traffic and encouraging more businesses to return to the area.
Her connection to the community also shows up in her family. Her grandmother, who previously owned the bar with her grandfather, remains involved and is expected to visit 14Forty for her 91st birthday on October 11.
The grand opening on Saturday, September 26, 2026, drew a strong turnout, something Cox Williams said was especially meaningful after years of work went into bringing the property back to life.
“It was beautiful. We had a huge turnout. It was packed. We have an amazing bar manager, chef, and staff, so everything was crowded but still flowed well throughout the entire day,” she said.
Elevated Food With a Personal Touch
While the atmosphere is designed to function as a neighborhood bar and elegant destination, 14Forty Bar & Grill wanted the food to extend beyond the typical wings-and-burgers menu.
The menu includes dishes such as ribeye steak, salmon, braised chicken, spinach dip, and more.
Cox Williams worked with a menu consultant and the restaurant’s chef, Marchetta Hawkins, to develop the menu.
For Hawkins, joining 14Forty represents another chapter in a culinary journey that began when she was a student.
Hawkins became interested in cooking after transferring to a high school that offered a culinary arts program. But her earliest lessons came from her grandmother.
“I grew up with my grandmother. She always had me in the kitchen every Sunday,” Hawkins said.
Her grandmother taught her to prepare food, including greens, peas, homemade cakes, and caramel from scratch.
At first, Hawkins saw cooking as something she enjoyed, not a career. Over time, family and friends began encouraging her to recognize her talent.
Now, she is focused on developing the 14Forty kitchen, building her team and creating systems that allow the restaurant to maintain quality and efficiency as the business grows.
As a chef, Hawkins said she is learning how to operate a business, manage a team, and build systems—skills she hopes will prepare her to open her own restaurant eventually.
Cocktails Designed for the Atmosphere
Behind the bar, bar manager Greg Arnold is developing a cocktail program designed to complement the restaurant’s atmosphere.
Arnold, who has been bartending for years and has a culinary background spanning approximately 25 years, said the goal was to create drinks that reflect the neighborhood and the look and feel of the establishment.
With purple incorporated into the restaurant’s aesthetic, Arnold developed several lavender-inspired cocktails.
One of the biggest surprises so far has been “Midnight in the Park”, a tequila-based cocktail featuring blueberry and lychee flavors.
Arnold said the drink has become one of the establishment’s strongest sellers.
He also has experience consulting with Black-owned businesses developing their food and beverage operations.
“I really took to this place. I want to see it go where it needs to go,” he said.
A Place for Sports and Community
Once you come inside, televisions are throughout the establishment, and there are plans for game-day specials as the business establishes itself.
With football season underway and basketball season approaching, the team is watching customer response and plans to develop more specific sports promotions during the next several months.
Arnold said the goal is simple: create an environment where people can gather, eat, drink, and enjoy the game together.
Bartender Ashley Stewart-Holmes said the events held so far have created an energetic environment behind the bar.
“We’ve had so many people coming here, and they are actually enjoying the games and the food,” Stewart-Holmes said. “It’s like one big family.”
For Cox-Williams and her team, the ultimate goal is to create an experience that makes people feel welcomed.
Shatondrea said the restaurant aims to provide an elevated bar experience while maintaining genuine customer service.
“You never know, somebody might be spending that last dollar. People want to feel good about their environment and be comfortable. Just come and stop by and see for yourself,”
