D.S. Tequila, which closed after 14 years in 2023, has been sold to Tristan Schukraft, CEO of the telemedicine provider MISTR.
Schukraft recently bought the property at 3352 N. Halsted St. and plans to fully reopen the business—either as D.S. Tequila or a brand new nightclub—early next year, the tech entrepreneur told Windy City Times. Until then, the business will temporarily reopen during major weekends like Pride Fest, the Pride Parade and Market Days.
“It’s kind of a passing of the baton within the gay community,” Schukraft said. “Those initial business owners are retiring, and this is a very unique opportunity in the heart of Northalsted.”
Renovations on the 4,200-square-foot space will begin this fall, Schukraft said. He’ll announce later whether he plans on introducing something new to Northalsted or reviving the D.S. Tequila brand.
“I’ve been going back and forth on what to do with it,” Schukraft said. “I originally looked at it as a possible Abbey Chicago, but the space isn’t big enough. D.S. Tequila has some brand recognition, but we will see.”
D.S. Tequila closed its doors in November, marking an end of an era for the business on the Northalsted strip, according to a report from Block Club Chicago. Its owners—who also ran Crispy Chicks, Fajita Factory, Dive Bar, mEAT, winebar and minibar—announced at its closing they were looking for someone to buy and run the space as a tavern or restaurant.
Schukraft’s acquisition of the property is part of his growing hospitality empire, Tryst Hospitality, which bought the famous Abbey Food & Bar and the Chapel in West Hollywood last year. The entrepreneur also plans to reopen Circo, a legendary nightclub in Puerto Rico that closed several years ago.
Schukraft also has a growing portfolio of hotels, known as the Tryst. The first hotel, in San Juan, is open now but will undergo renovations later this year, while the Tryst Puerto Vallarta opens this summer.
Schukraft’s Tryst Hotels made news earlier in May when he bought 75% of the Fire Island Pines commercial district, according to a press release. There, he plans to renovate a non-operational hotel and reopen it as the Tryst Fire Island.
Other Fire Island properties Schukraft bought include the Pavilion nightclub, the Blue Whale, the Canteen, retail shops and docks, according to the announcement.
“I enjoy hospitality and getting into the industry has always been a dream of mine,” Schukraft said. “I think there’s a void in the marketplace when it comes to gay hospitality, and part of the experience is these hotels are in the epicenter of their local gay communities.”
Schukraft also owns MISTR, which he founded in 2023. The telemedicine service offers free and discreet access to PrEP, long-term HIV treatment and other services. MISTR has a Chicago clinic at 3324 N. Halsted St., less than a block from D.S. Tequila.
“I believe in preserving the LGBTQ+ community not only in West Hollywood, New York and San Juan, but also in Chicago,” Schukraft said. “What we do with D.S. Tequila will be very complementary to the other businesses in Northalsted.”
The post Tristan Schukraft, CEO of MISTR and a growing hospitality empire, buys Northalsted’s D.S. Tequila appeared first on Windy City Times.