We were delighted when we first heard about the Velvet Lounge’s return to the South Loop a few weeks ago. The club was an institution not only for the neighborhood, but for the city as a whole and its return would be yet another boost to efforts to rebrand Motor Row as an entertainment district.

But the more we looked into the process, the more dismayed we became. The new website, at a different URL from the last, says the club is “OPENNING SOON.” Really, you couldn’t spell the most important verb on your website right?

It goes on. Ald. Bob Fioretti said he hadn’t heard anything from the owners about the club since this summer, and wasn’t sure whether they had the proper permits and licenses to open.

Fioretti also said he wasn’t sure if founder Fred Anderson’s family was involved.

These are all problems, and we haven’t been able to talk to the folks who are apparently planning to reopen the place (who also own Pizzeria Brandi next door) to get their side of the story.

At this point, it sure looks a whole lot like they just want to sell more pizza.

We hope this is all wrong. We’d like nothing more than to see a flourishing jazz scene return to 67 E. Cermak Rd., but talk of country and DJ nights doesn’t inspire confidence.

Ald. Fioretti should be commended for his skepticism. We think he’s on the right side on this one.