Readers of our current book know that we have not been kind to nursery furniture chain Bellini after their melt-down last year. In multiple cities (including Chicago), Bellini stores suddenly closed . . . and in some cases, Bellini owners took customers deposits without delivering any furniture.

Well, there is some good news on that front: Chicago parents Cindy and Jeff Hudgins are trying to turn around the brand’s reputation, re-opening a Bellini store in Chicago on North Clybourn Avenue (it is the only Bellini in Illinois).

Ironically, the Hudgins were victims themselves of the previous Bellini crew—they lost deposits to Bellini’s previous franchisee in the state, when the Bellini stores closed without warning.

Our beef with Bellini was not just the franchisees (who took the money) but with Bellini headquarters—the owners turned a deaf ear to consumer complaints, which we found shameful (and tarnished the brand as a whole). It’s no surprise that Bellini has only 45 stores today, down from 60+ back in the 90’s.

Still, we thought it was fair for readers in Chicago to give the new Bellini franchisee a shot. Feel free to post any opinions or experiences you have with the new store here.