'The Lincoln Belmont'
In the good old days customers came by bus, train, or trolley to shop in the stores like the 'Lincoln-Belmont-Ashland Business District' that was simply called by locals as
"the Lincoln Belmont" so tells Leo Robert Klein, a contributor to LakeView Historical on Facebook. According to Jess Middleton, another LVH contributor, who was a newspaper boy for local neighborhood newspaper at the time 'The Lerner Booster' stated that this general intersection was a called 'The Avenue'. "You'd get dressed up to go shopping; it was a big thing," says Anne La Fleur, a longtime resident of Lake View. "You could buy fancy dresses and nice shoes; we'd go on weekends. It was special." Chicago Reader 1991
"the Lincoln Belmont" so tells Leo Robert Klein, a contributor to LakeView Historical on Facebook. According to Jess Middleton, another LVH contributor, who was a newspaper boy for local neighborhood newspaper at the time 'The Lerner Booster' stated that this general intersection was a called 'The Avenue'. "You'd get dressed up to go shopping; it was a big thing," says Anne La Fleur, a longtime resident of Lake View. "You could buy fancy dresses and nice shoes; we'd go on weekends. It was special." Chicago Reader 1991
photo - AC Miller Photography
photo - Ben Elsass Photography
View a few more photos on Flickr
including some door entrance tile mats
1937 photo - Vintage Tribune on Instagram
via Mariana Niscasco Historic Chicago-Facebook
image - Sulzer Regional Library
Belmont-Lincoln-Ashland
Commercial District
A place to shop in 1928
photo - Sulzer Regional Library
photo - Chicago Public Library via Explore Chicago
photo - Chicago Public Library via Explore Chicago
Before internet shopping, before shopping malls, before the stores along the Mag Mile, there were neighborhood commercial districts. The most popular of its era around the turn of the 20th century was originally called the to be known later as the Belmont-Lincoln-Ashland Commercial District. Each commercial district had an 'anchor' store(s) that would draw other shoppers to lesser known or small businesses in that particular general area.
Wieboldt Department Store, Woolworths, and later Goldblatt Brothers were that anchor from the turn of the 20th century until 1986 (for Wieboldt) and 2000 (for Goldblatt). This once grand three cornered intersection for retail shopping has been struggling ever since. Read about the reason for the district's failure in this 1996 Reader article.
,+looking+northeast+from+Belmont+Avenue+(3200+N).+This+busy+6-way+intersection+continues+to+thrive+today..jpg)
a page from The City on the Move
by Michael Williams, Richard Cahan, and Bruce Moffat
Lincoln and Belmont Avenues 1895
with Walgreens signage on the edge of frame-left
photos above 1920's-ish
postcards - Ebay
These accounts were submitted by contributors to my sister site called LakeView Historical/Facebook
The Lake View Mercantile
on Lincoln near Belmont-Ashland
These accounts were submitted by contributors to my sister site called LakeView Historical/Facebook
Safety Maintenance & Production, volume 17 from
1909 lists Lake View Mercantile Co. was located at 1058-62 Lincoln Avenue and notes an
insurance loss of $100,000.00.
Kinda weird the numbers are a little off?
about the shopping district 1929
just before the Great Depression
An aerial view of shopping district 1930-ish
The National Tea Company
image - Lake View Saga
The National Tea Company
Beginning with one store on North Avenue in 1899,
National Tea (view insert below) became the region's largest retail grocery chain. By 1920, when
there were about 160 stores in the chain, annual sales approached $13 million.
By the end of the 1920's, National Tea had over 600 locations in the Chicago
area and another 1,000 stores nationwide; sales had grown to about $90 million
a year. Many of these stores were closed or sold during the Great Depression,
but National Tea remained among the 10 largest grocery chains in the United
States for most of the twentieth century. During the 1950s, it acquired about
500 new stores by buying up smaller chains. In 1956, when annual sales topped
$600 million and the company had nearly 20,000 employees nationwide, National
Tea was purchased by George Weston Ltd., a Canadian company. There was little
growth during the 1960s, when the company operated about 240 stores in the
Chicago area (where it had fallen behind Jewel as the number one chain). During
the mid-1970s, when it still employed about 9,000 people around the region,
National Tea/George Weston suddenly abandoned the Chicago grocery market. By
the end of the century, there was little trace remaining of what had once stood
as one of the area's leading enterprises and the source of groceries for a
large fraction of Chicago's population.
Shoppers 1935 - Calumet 412
Celebrating the Ashland Avenue bridge dedication of 1937 that link south Ashland south of the river with its northern route north of the river - Calumet 412
edited version that highlights the banners
by Lance Grey
by Lance Grey
Postcard front and back - CardCow.com
photo - Glen Miller via Original Chicago-Facebook
1938 on Ashland Avenue view north
Traffic Issues in 1939-40
1938 on Ashland Avenue view north
Lincoln-Belmont-Ashland Business Association
sponsored by Lincoln-Belmont Days
sponsored by Lincoln-Belmont Days
photo - Daily News Archives
The Intersection in 1948
video - Jeff Nichols via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
The Intersection in 1948
video - Jeff Nichols via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
View the 1948 shopping centers map (zoom) in Chicago via Encyclopedia.chicagohistory.org
A Renowned Shopping District in 1952
1954 photo - Ebay
Apparently the citizens were angry about loss of homes
1955 - Flickr
the second story view from the art deco building from the above photo - Flickr
Glazed terra cotta art deco ornamentation on the cornice
of a building at the corner of Lincoln, Belmont, and Ashland from the photo above
it. - Deco Architecture
Klee Brothers & Company
3158 N Ashland Avenue
3158 N Ashland Avenue
apparently the entrance was on Ashland Avenue?
corner of Ashland & Belmont Avenues
image via Ravenswood-Lake View Community Collection
1950's photo - Pinterest
and look before that ....
postcard - Ebay
and look before that ....
ad image - Chicago Daily News via Chicago Public Library
an article in 1930
Their Buying Strategy
‘Klee Brothers & Co is one of the oldest and known firms operating large retail stores outside of Loop Their shoe departments carry a general line cater to the medium and better classes of trade. The store is a consistent example of what can be done women's shoes in an exclusive men's clothing store. Each of the three Klee Brothers stores cater to an entirely different nationality. The north side store is patronized by an almost exclusively German trade. The Milwaukee Avenue store is made up largely of Poles and the Ogden Avenue establishment does most of its business with the Irish. This condition implies the need of the most judicious buying…’ – Boot and Shore Recorder 1913
Urban Shopping Can Effect Neighborhoods in the 1950's
1954 map - Art Institute of Chicago
page 2
page 3
A mall was planned
1952 photo - Calumet 412
(click on article segments to
enlarge)
for the shopping district in 1959
(click on article to
enlarge)
Mall Delayed and ... never realized 1960
photo from Cindy Wood with Grandma/her in 1960
on Belmont east of Ashland/Lincoln
After a Economic Slump - Revival in 1965
Shopping Mall? 1965
o
1962 photo - Greg Reynolds, Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
1962 - Calumet 412
1962 photo Collezione Marone,Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
Chris Walker-Vintage Chicago Tribune 1986
via Xavier Quintana Historic Chicago-Facebook
3238 North Ashland
1989 photo - R. Krueger Collection via Explore Chicago
his father, brother and himself 1976
via LakeView Historical-Facebook
Trying to Create a Safer Intersection in 2018
Wieboldt's - Goldblatt's
Woolworth's & Company
Woolworth's & Company
image - Chicago's Extinct Business-Facebook
buried in Wunders Cemetery on Clark Street
1917 construction of the store - Calumet 412
image - The Department Store Museum
both the main building and annex shown
1923 Sanborn Fire Map highlights the store and
a theater north of it called 'Garden Theater'
with a capacity of 1k worth of patrons
1922 - Daily News Archives
1930's-ish - WBEZ.org
1955 photo - Martin Treu via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
Full Page Tribune Advertisements 1954
Full Page Tribune Advertisements 1954
(click on article to
enlarge)
1955 - Chuckman Collection
photo - Growing Up in Chicago-Facebook
postcard - Chuckman Collection
photo - Ebay
photo - Ebay
1980's? - Deco Architecture via Everyblock
Before and after view
of the annex building to the main store
photo contribution - Maleah Jo Bataoel
The second story annex is razed
and the building decades later converted
and the building decades later converted
Condos and Whole Foods
Wieboldts’ German-American retailer W.A. Wieboldt built
one of Chicago's largest and most famous retail chains. His first store opened
in 1917 and was located 1056 Belmont Avenue near Seminary Avenue.
The main building in the shopping district provided north-side
shoppers with seven floors of merchandise, as well as a bargain basement. In
1924, an annex to the store was constructed across the street on School Street
and consisted of two floors and a connecting basement to the larger building.
By 1984 the cornerstone of this once thriving commercial district was to
disappear.
The mighty department store of Chicago closed its doors
in 1986. By 2003 this long term neglected building was to be designed for
condos.
The Beginning of the End in 1987
(insert the word 'store' in the red blocks)
(click on article segments to
enlarge)
page 2
Read this 1990 article about the future plans for the store with this link from the Chicago Tribune.
A Testimonial
from the Department Store Museum
A Testimonial
from the Department Store Museum
"I remember the store at Lincoln-Belmont-Ashland. On the
day after Thanksgiving we would stand on the corner of Lincoln-Marshfield and
School Street to watch the Lake View Christmas Parade. We would marvel at the
mechanical display window on that corner. Then, after the parade, it was downstairs
to see Santa Claus in the toy department. If we were especially good we could
get a Coke at the Snack Shop under the stairs! I miss those good old days!"
Memories 1990
it never happened
The Annex along Lincoln Avenue Razed
1995 photos - Robert Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collection
The Other Wieboldt Store:
W.A. bought his Uncle's store
a tale of bankruptcy - fire - scandal
1907 photo - Daily News Archives
This store was located at 1056 W Belmont Avenue
(post 1909 address) at Seminary Avenue with a
pre-1909 address of 1302 Belmont Avenue
2018 Google Map view
January 31st
In Debt!! and Potential Suicide?? ...
February 1st
Apparently in Hiding ...
February 4th
Hiding Out ... in Kentucky
February 5th
Where is the Daughter ...
* the articles end *
Kotz Shoe Store
This store was located at 1056 W Belmont Avenue
(post 1909 address) at Seminary Avenue with a
pre-1909 address of 1302 Belmont Avenue
owner William F. Wieboldt
(his nephew bought this store in 1905)
photo - Chicago History Museum
via Explore Chicago Collection
The Articles of Scandal & Mystery(his nephew bought this store in 1905)
photo - Chicago History Museum
via Explore Chicago Collection
William A. Wieboldt had an uncle named W.R. Wieboldt who encouraged his nephew to travel to Chicago. WR had a store in Chicago - assuming on Belmont Avenue. I believe these articles and the photo above is about W.R. Wieboldt not his nephew indicated by Daily News/Chicago History Museum.
The Story Began by January 30th 1907 ...
January 31st
In Debt!! and Potential Suicide?? ...
February 1st
Apparently in Hiding ...
February 4th
Hiding Out ... in Kentucky
Where is the Daughter ...
* the articles end *
Kotz Shoe Store
corner of School, Marshfield, & Lincoln
2011 photo - westvillagebob via Flickr
photo - 'black and white are the colors''
My thanks to 'LakeView Historical-Facebook' contributor Carter O'Brian for discovering the Kotz photos.
My thanks to 'LakeView Historical-Facebook' contributor Carter O'Brian for discovering the Kotz photos.
The Wieboldt's Warehouse:
the Connection on Halsted Street
Mandel Brothers
Mandel Brothers retail store were along with Marshall
Fields and The Fair were the dominate business establishments in Chicago in the
late 19th and early 20th centuries, all located in the loop area. The Mandel Brothers main store on State and Madison Streets near Marshall Fields
established State Street as the retail center of Chicago. Like most large
retail stores on State Street the retail store had several warehouses within
the city to serve its storage needs.
zoomed image via Alex Bean
photo - Chicago Designslinger
The Mandel Brothers Warehouse building, now loft condos, were one of those warehouses built for the Mandel 'Loop' store in 1903 by
architects Holabird & Roche. By 1915
this building housed the firehouse company and equipment of Engine
#78 until the present structure on Waveland & Seminary Avenues was finally
completed by 1923. Wieboldt acquired the
Mandel Brothers Store along with its' several warehouses in 1970's when the
company bought the Mandel and Brothers and until Wieboldt Stores demise in
1987. This former warehouse is still located at corner of Halsted & Aldine Streets. As of 1993, the Mandel brick & timber building is
listed in the U.S. National Registry of Historical Places.
The Belmont-Lincoln-Ashland shopping district of Lake
View had a new retailer on the block at 3137 North Lincoln Avenue by the early 1920’s and moved into the old Vitagraph Theater. Goldblatts Brothers and expanded during the late 1920’s to the old H.C. Struve Store located at
3155 N. Lincoln Avenue and redesigned the stores into one retail space. The old retail buildings on Lincoln Avenue from 3133-41 Lincoln Avenue once a collection of stores were bought and redesigned in 1921-22 and 1925-28.
photo - Growing Up in Chicago-Facebook
Saving Stamps
images - Chuckman Collection
Howard Arbetman's mother (a contributor to Forgotten Chicago-Facebook) worked at Goldblatt's during WWII. She & her friend are on Lincoln Avenue toward the main intersection of Belmont, Ashland, Lincoln Avenues.
Chicago Tribune Ads
(click on ad to enlarge)
a 1950 full page ad
View more from 1950 view LakeView Historical-Facebook
Chicago Tribune Ads
(click on ad to enlarge)
View more from 1950 view LakeView Historical-Facebook
2013 - LoopNet.com
Goldblatts buys along Lincoln Avenue in 1929
.jpg)
Goldblatts buys along Lincoln Avenue in 1929
.jpg)
The stores founders Maurice and Nathan Goldblatt opened a store at Chicago and Ashland Avenues in 1917, in a neighborhood that was then home to many Polish immigrants. Over the next 10 years, the firm's annual sales rose from about $15,000 to $1.4 million. As a retail company of medium-size department stores Goldblatt Brothers offered goods at low prices. By the mid-1960's, retailers such as Kmart, Woolco, Zayre,
and Sears were digging into Goldblatt’s market share. Goldblatts expansion into the
suburbs proved to be a difficult obstacle. Middle class
shoppers looked for better and newer shopping options that forced the company to declare
bankruptcy in 1981.
Their flagship store on State Street was sold to City of
Chicago for a temporary public library location then later sold to DePaul
University when the Harold Washington Library was finally built. Without the
money from the City of Chicago Goldblatt's would have closed its doors. After
it entered bankruptcy, the chain was purchased in 1985 by JG Industries Inc.
and was profitable again. However, changing markets, increasing competition,
and vintage buildings the company continued to survive under new retail
environment. By the year 2000 Goldblatt's closed for good and in 2003 the
company was liquidated.
Note: The structure at 1613-35 W. Chicago Avenue was designated
a City Landmark in 1998 and underwent a complete renovation by the City of
Chicago Public Building Commission as a historical reminder of the stores that once had dominance
in an early era.
Also, in 1998 the Lincoln Avenue store became a Chicago Historical Landmark. The old shopping district was granted a TIF status in 1994 with an expiration date of 2017.
Also, in 1998 the Lincoln Avenue store became a Chicago Historical Landmark. The old shopping district was granted a TIF status in 1994 with an expiration date of 2017.
Woolworth's
1950's photo - Steve Lewandowski
via Original Chicago-Facebook
Read the comments on LakeView Historical-Facebook
via Original Chicago-Facebook
Read the comments on LakeView Historical-Facebook
screenshot from the movie Baby's Day Out
My source: LVH contributor Maleah Jo Bataoel who took this frame from that
movie
typical counter space
photo via Vixie Ostratger, Original Chicago-Facebook
A typical menu
photo - Ed Holtop, Back to Chicago on Facebook
unknown source
1995 photo - Robert Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collections
1995 photo - Robert Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collections
constructed by 1944
... along with a current view - http://ow.ly/Nenuw
3210 N Lincoln Avenue just north of Belmont Avenue
3212 N Lincoln Avenue
3218 N Lincoln Avenue
3220 N Lincoln Avenue
3226 N Lincoln Avenue
3236 N Lincoln Avenue
3242 N Lincoln Avenue
3248 N Lincoln Avenue
3344 N Lincoln Avenue
Dinkel's @ 3329 N Lincoln Avenue
Lake View Trust and Savings
photo via Vixie Ostratger, Original Chicago-Facebook
photo - Ed Holtop, Back to Chicago on Facebook
via Explore Chicago Collections
via Explore Chicago Collections
... along with a current view - http://ow.ly/Nenuw
Stores Continued to Close
Along Lincoln Avenue
1995 photos - Robert Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collection
1950 Sanborn Map of the area
The once dominate commercial area of Lake View by 1995 was still in a state of shock with Woolworth in Chicago closed in 1993 and then all its stores nationally by 1997. Goldblatt’s had a second lease on life in 1982 but finally closed by 2003. The bedrock of the Lincoln/Ashland/Belmont area was Weiboldt's and this Chicago based outlet closed 1986. The Weiboldt's annex was torn down in 1995. All these closures had a rippling effect on Lincoln Avenue after these anchor stores left the landscape.
Stores Lost
This is a photographic reminder of that time with few survivors.
3260 N Lincoln Avenue and part of Woolworth's
3330 N Lincoln Avenue - northwest at School
3312 N Lincoln Avenue
3330 N Lincoln Avenue - northwest at School
3230 North Lincoln
with the remnants of both the Citizens State Bank of
Chicago and Math Iglers down the block on Melrose.
3459 N Lincoln Avenue near Cornelia
A Before and After View of a Corner
photo - University of Minnesota via Chicago Past
A Testimonial via Forgotten Chicago
"The dime stores I remember were the Woolworth and the Kresge on Lincoln Ave at School St. near Lincoln, Belmont, and Ashland. IIRC, Woolworth was on the northwest corner and Kresge was on the southwest, right across the street from Wieboldt's department store. The Woolworth disappeared in the early '60s and the Kresge probably around '65 or so, but the Kresge had a lunch counter where my Mom would buy my sister and me large glasses of Coca Cola after shopping on hot summer afternoons.
I collected stamps back then and would buy bags full of old, cancelled stamps for 99 cents and they also had birds and goldfish, little turtles, and all the other things that could fascinate a little kid."
The Banks of Lake View:Lake View Trust and Savings
A savings and loan banks and their association (or
S&L), also known as a thrift, is a financial institution that specializes
in accepting savings deposits and making mortgage and other loans. The savings
and loan association became a strong force in the early 20th century through
assisting people with home ownership, through mortgage lending, and further
assisting their members with basic saving and investing outlets, typically
through passbook savings accounts and term certificates of deposit. Lake View Savings and Loan was located 3211 N Ashland Avenue. In 1921 the bank had a balance sheet worth $85,000.
Below are a set of photos that highlight in the bank's past and the street corners future.
Below are a set of photos that highlight in the bank's past and the street corners future.
'My Old Home'
the front cover of booklet that advertised the
planned development of the new building
My guess that these buildings were first??
and this was the second building below apparently
the third building, no doubt
with back cover below
the back cover of the booklet
all images - from my personal collections
the back cover of the booklet
all images - from my personal collections
Postcard 1914 - Illinois Digital Archives
Date unknown - Chuckman Collection
postcard - Ebay
postcard image - Ebay
A Savings Book 1938
images from Ebay
1967 images - Ebay
photo - Sulzer Regional Library 1956
Sulzer Regional Library 1959
photo - Lance Grey, LakeView Historical contributor
unknown date - Ebay
Sulzer Regional Library 1985
2009 Google Maps view
in the window is a poster of the first failed development
2013 Google Maps view
2014 Google Maps view below showing the Medic Building
the demolition below
2014 photo - Robert Zamora
in the window is a poster of the first failed development
2014 Google Maps view below showing the Medic Building
This bank location was removed from the landscape by 2014 for a planned development - Whole Foods after years of failed developments such as a mixed-use building called Lake View Collection and then Target that had a lot of opposition due to its shape,design, and traffic concerns.
photos - DNAinfo
This store opened in 2017 - read more about from DNAinfo with more photos.
The Banks of Old Lake View
apparently the original building
photo - Illinois Digital Archives
located at the right of this zoomed photo above
from Lance Grey-LakeView Historical
image - Chicago's Classical Architecture:
The Legacy of the White City
apparently the second building
1989 photo - R. Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collection
photos - Yo Chicago
with a 2007 Google View
Belmont Studio
960 W Belmont
front of postcard - Ebay
photo - Ebay
photo - Ebay
photo - Ebay
Radium Studio
847 W Belmont Avenue
photo - Ebay
Lodeman Studio
738 W Belmont Avenue
images - Ebay
Belmont Quality Foods
Food Stamps Credits
zoomed view of the address
Chicago History in Postcards
Paulson's Coffee Shop on Lincoln
3125 N Lincoln Avenue
1950's menu cover - Chuckman Collection
The Door
3124 N Broadway
another type of Coffee House
' Scenes Has Its Own Window On The World'
Located on Clark just off Belmont, Scenes set up shop in
1987. At the time, about the only coffeehouses in the city were the venerable
Cafe Pergolesi and No Exit, both of which had their roots in the 1960s. The
first Third Coast had also opened its doors, but its liquor license has always
separated it from the bean purists that followed.
By 1985
Nightcrawlers Café
Java Jive
trading cards - Ebay
Surf Laundry
The Citizens State Bank of Lake View
photo - Illinois Digital Archives
located at the right of this zoomed photo above
from Lance Grey-LakeView Historical
The Legacy of the White City
1989 photo - R. Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collection
'Until the 1950's, it was a bank. Then it was a shoe store,
then a dance studio, and then a pawn shop. Now, this early-20th-century terracotta building at 1623 W Melrose was then reborn as a loft
condos development.' – Yo Chicago
image - Yo Chicago
with a 2007 Google View
2008 photo - Chicago Magazine-Dish
'The eastern Lincoln Avenue facade was pretty much ruined,
so Solomon and sister Jill, also serving as listing agent for the building,
took the opportunity to send window bays jutting out from the building
envelope'.
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
and then one at Belmont, Lincoln, Ashland intersection
1995 photo (left side) - Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago Collection
and below 2008 photo - Flickr via Mark2400
Citizens Bank/Loans?
or was the Citizens Savings & Loan
1955 photo - Chicago History Today
with a 2013 photo below - Imperial Realty Company
The Lake View State Bank
3179 N Clark Street
postcard - Chuckman Collection
text - The Economist in 1919
a 1928 stock certificate from Ebay
and like most banks during the Great Depression of 1929
and then by mid 1940's
The Belmont National Bank of Chicago
1950 photo - Ebay
and its other location?
3154 N Clark Street
photo above - Cragin Spring via Flickr
below photo - Mark Susina via Flickr
another change in 1992
Diversey Trust & Savings Bank
1168 W Diversey Parkway
it did not last long
from 1944 Moody's ...
Other Various Commercial Stops
The Euclid Cycle Company
photo - Ebay
Broadway Savings and Trust
2805 N Clark Street
1902-1934
a key tag from Ebay
photo - Kenneth Joesphson via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
and then First State Bank in 1972
1902-1934
a key tag from Ebay
closes its doors in 1934
and then First State Bank in 1972
Central Savings & Loan
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
matchbook below - Ebay
and then one at Belmont, Lincoln, Ashland intersection
via Explore Chicago Collection
and below 2008 photo - Flickr via Mark2400
or was the Citizens Savings & Loan
1955 photo - Chicago History Today
with a 2013 photo below - Imperial Realty Company
3179 N Clark Street
a 1928 stock certificate from Ebay
The Belmont National Bank of Chicago
and its other location?
3154 N Clark Street
below photo - Mark Susina via Flickr
The bank changes hands in 1958
1168 W Diversey Parkway
it did not last long
The Euclid Cycle Company
1019 Lincoln Avenue was the pre1909 address
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
image - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
Dema's Candy Store
Dema's Candy Store
A.H. Gentzel's Art Studio
3052 N Lincoln Avenue
pre 1909 address of 669 N Lincoln Avenue
images - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
Wieland Dairy & Company
3638-44 Evanston Avenue (Broadway)
and across the alley
3623-25 N Halsted Street
photo - unknown location and date is pre 1916
Evanston Avenue was renamed Broadway in 1916
This 2015 Google Map shows the original building (main office) to the right and the second building to the left
a 2018 Google Earth view
Sanborn Fire Map Views
1923 view along Broadway
and then Halsted Street
1950 view along Broadway
now called Borden & Company
and then Halsted Street
a 1913 advertisement
a 1914 advertisement
First to Advertise on Film in 1922
The Building Annex in 1928
a 1/2 pint and part of my personal collection
The co-founders of Recycled Paper Greetings, Phil
Friedmann and Michael Keiser, began their entrepreneurial journey while on a
Colorado skiing trip in 1971. Former Amherst College roommates, the two young
men wanted to do something that would have an ecological impact, so they
decided to produce Christmas cards published on 100 percent recycled paper. It
was the year of the first Earth Day and Friedmann and Keiser hoped that, after
Hallmark, American Greetings, and Gibson Greetings saw what they had done and
realized that printing cards on recycled paper was not only technologically
feasible but economically cost-effective, the Big Three would follow suit. Most
important to the two young idealists was that their effort in changing the way
the Big Three produced greeting cards would have an enormous impact on the
environment. Not surprisingly, the pair later admitted they were more
interested in establishing an ecological project rather than in starting a
business. Marshall Field's, the famous and well-established retail
store in Chicago, was the destination of the budding entrepreneurs' first sales
call. Read more with this link.
The Wellington Hat Shop
Lake View Upholstering & Cabinet Works
A Business on Lincoln & Wellington
on deliveries ...
all 3 photos - Joanne Melville
via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
1923 Sanborn Fire Insurance view
2018 Google view
G.H. Gauss
image - Ebay
Southport Cleaners and Dyers
3344 N Southport Avenue
image - Ebay
Just by learning about the history of telephone exchanges one can estimate the year range of a business.
image below - Living History of Chicago and Illinois
image - Warner Printing Company
The Warner Printing Company
3351-55 N Sheffield Avenue
image - Warner Printing Company
Miami Club
3530 N Clark Street
image - Warner Printing Company
A Filling Service Station
Clark & Waveland
1930 image - Warner Printing Company
H & G Moter Sales
3406-08 Lincoln Avenue
dealer for the Studebaker automobile
images - Warner Printing Company
Motor Sales Company
3637-39 N Southport Avenue
3052 N Lincoln Avenue
pre 1909 address of 669 N Lincoln Avenue
images - 'Lake View' by Matt Nickerson
Washington Shoe Repair
now part of space for the Berlin Night Club
photo - Dean Pappas vis Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
3638-44 Evanston Avenue (Broadway)
and across the alley
3623-25 N Halsted Street
Evanston Avenue was renamed Broadway in 1916
‘The Wieland Dairy and Ice Cream Factory, (in Chicago),
was developed by Jacob and Gottlieben (Gleich) Wieland. They came to the
America in 1889, bringing along their 7 sons,1 daughter. The Wieland Dairy was
very successful, as was the Ice Cream Factory, where the "Good Humor"
ice cream bar was [apparently] developed. In the early 1930's the dairy was sold, for $8.5
million to "Borden", hence the name "Wieland/Borden Dairy"
on all the bottles for a period of time (stipulated in the sale), later
becoming just "Borden". The money was divided equally between the the
sons and daughter. Two of the sons were against the sale, so they started C.J. Wieland & Company Dairy' [but apparently at another location]. – Answers.com
Sanborn Fire Map Views
1923 view along Broadway
now called Borden & Company
a 1907 advertisement
(Evanston Avenue became Broadway in 1913)
The Building Annex in 1928
a 1/2 pint and part of my personal collection
The Company Expands in 1928 ...
Owner buys a Home in 1928
third largest distributor in Chicago in 1933
Company absorbed by Borden in 1936
an independent subsidiary since 1928
According to Crain Chicago 2011 article Wieland Dairy built the
smaller, northern building in 1909 and the other structure in 1928, according
to Landmark Illinois, another local preservation group. Curtis Candy Company, the
creator of Baby Ruth and Butterfinger candy bars, bought the buildings in 1957,
and Recycled Paper bought them in 1981. Neither
building is a designated city landmark, but 3638
N Broadway is coded orange in a city list of historical properties, meaning it
can be torn down only after a 90-day waiting period, according to Landmarks
Illinois. That organization put the two buildings on a Chicago area watch list in 2007.
Recycled Papers
3004 Evanston Avenue (Broadway)
a pre1914 address
a pre1914 address
one of
their business was located
at 3008 N Lincoln - notice the 2 phone numbers
photo - Some Unimportant Chicago History
on Facebook
on deliveries ...
via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
3815 N Southport Avenue
The Tailor and Cleaning Store
1252 W Addison Street
Southport Cleaners and Dyers
3344 N Southport Avenue
Just by learning about the history of telephone exchanges one can estimate the year range of a business.
image below - Living History of Chicago and Illinois
E.L. Moore
manufacturer (storefront) of Havana Cigars
The Warner Printing Company
3351-55 N Sheffield Avenue
Miami Club
3530 N Clark Street
A Filling Service Station
Clark & Waveland
1930 image - Warner Printing Company
3406-08 Lincoln Avenue
dealer for the Studebaker automobile
3637-39 N Southport Avenue
The Picture Studios on Belmont Avenue
960 W Belmont
back of postcard - Ebay
Radium Studio
847 W Belmont Avenue
Lodeman Studio
738 W Belmont Avenue
Belmont Quality Foods
Food Stamps Credits
The initial Food Stamp program in the United States began in the 1930’s and served two purposes - (1) relief for the poor, and (2) providing price supports for agricultural products by keeping surplus foods off the market.
Shopping Areas in 1948
Grocery's that Sold Dean's Products in 1948
A. Johnson & Son
3827-9 N Ashland Avenue
Another list of grocery stores in 1948
F & N Grocery
on Greenview & Wolfram
photo from Nick Nikola Sr. - his family's biz
Nick Nikola Sr. and Joe Nickola tells LakeView Historical-Facebook
that “Our mom inherited the store from her mom in the 1960's. The building was sold in 1985, Jewel
and Dominic's grew too big for the store to stay in business. Before the store, the building was used as a tavern. There was an extension under the sidewalk in
front of the store for what use to be a small freight elevator. There was a
electric conduit for the city lights going right thru it"
also, on that corner
photos from Nick Nikola Sr.
via LakeView Historical-Facebook
a 2016 Google View of the flagpole on the corner below
Ann Moeller a contributor to LakeView Historical-Facebook chimed in
to the same thread of comments by saying, “Your father was the official flag
person. When he opened the store at 7:00 AM he would walk across the street to
raise the flag. When he closed at 6:00PM the flag was taken down. A small
gesture that was appreciated by the entire neighborhood.”
A 1949 List of Grocery Stores
The Place to Shop in 1952
Dalkullan's Gift Shop
Paulson's Coffee Shop on Lincoln
3125 N Lincoln Avenue
The Door
3124 N Broadway
Scenes
Scenes by 1991
March 25, 1994 by Achy Obejas - Chicago Tribune
A few signature things about Scenes, one of the leaders
of Chicago's coffeehouse boom:
1. It's probably the only coffeehouse combo dramatists' bookstore
in the world. 2. The celery root remoulade is surprisingly simple to make but
requires one secret ingredient. 3. Although management breaks its little
corporate neck to make the place livable for non-smokers, it's also pretty
unabashed about accommodating tobacco freaks.
Owned and operated by the Asch siblings (Evy, Jamie and
Tom), Scenes took over a carpet store that had renovated the space and then
flopped. The carpet people-in order to show off their wares-had installed an
all-glass front, which the Asch kids kept. As a result, they've got what's
arguably the best people-watching place in ever-changing New Town.
The human parade that files by Scenes' window at any
given hour of the day and, especially, night, includes punkers and gays,
artists and seniors, folks of every race and color, haughty yuppies and
homeless people, transvestites and politicos.
And although Scenes bills itself as a theater place, and
its employee and customer ranks include plenty of actors and other theater
types, its clientele is really more mixed than that.
"We get free-lancers of all types," says Jamie
Asch, who's himself an actor and also serves as the general manager. "And
we go through periods when people think we're a certain type of coffeehouse,
like, when Medusa's was around the corner, a lot of people called us `The
Kiddie Cafe'. "
The cafe, which has only 10 tables, sells books and
scripts, postcards by local artists and all sorts of theater magazines. On
Thursdays, the bookcases are usually sandbagged by piles of what seem like
every free weekly published in Chicago-not just North Side stalwarts such as
the Reader and Windy City Times, but also New City, The Grey City Journal, PerformInk,
Outlines, Gay Chicago, Babble, calendars from the Film Center, Facets, fliers
for performances all over town.
At Scenes, where the help is friendly and relaxed, folks
linger for hours. Conversation, chain-smoking, reading and writing are the
rule. Although tables turn over a little quicker on crowded weekend nights when
an inevitable line always forms, no one gets rushed.
Scenes, of course, serves a gazillion coffees, teas and
Torani drinks. But the food's actually pretty varied-and good, too. The veggie
burger, just added to the recently revamped menu, has quickly become Scene's
best-selling sandwich. Actually, flavorful and filing, it doesn't contain
either tofu or tempeh, but mushrooms, water chestnuts, carrots and soy. The
menu also offers smoked turkey, feta and oregano, and banana and peanut butter
sandwiches (among others); espresso eggs; a different soup every day; seven
different salads; too many desserts to list; and a bunch of disgustingly
delicious milkshakes, including the addictive Dramatically Decadent Double
Chocolate.
Then there's the celery root remoulade, probably the most
popular item on the menu. Served as both a solo salad and as a side, it's a
surprisingly easy mix of imported French celery root, mayo and tarragon.
(Although it's become a real Scenes-thing, the celery root recipe was actually
first brought on board by an ex-partner, James I. Eichling, who now owns the
Third Coast on Dearborn.)
If, however, there's an attitude that distinguishes
Scenes, it's the idea that cigarette smoking is fine. Although three of the
tables are technically non-smoking, and even though the Asch kids insist
otherwise, it seems everybody at Scenes smokes. And though the haze can get
pretty blue sometimes, especially in the winter (there are no windows that
open), Jamie Asch proudly points out the two ‘smoke-eaters’.
What, for god's sake, will they do if the city bans
smoking outright? "I don't think we even want to think about it,"
he says. "But we'll deal with it."
The After Hours date book:
Monday through Thursday, 9:30 a.m. to midnight, Friday,
9:30 a.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 a.m., and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.:
Scenes, 3168 N. Clark St. For more information,
call 312-525-1007. Scenes is wheelchair-accessible; some folks, however, may need
some minimal assistance because there's a slight bump going in the door. A tap
on the window will usually draw a staffer for help. The staff here is very
accommodating and refreshingly free of attitude, in spite of the weird
haircuts.
Other Coffee Houses
By 1981
Paradise Coffee
3352 N Broadway
Somethings Brewing
958 W Diversey Parkway
Color Me Coffee
3000 N Sheffield Avenue
by 1989
Broadway Coffee Bar
2944 N Broadway
Coffee Chicago on Clark
2922 N Clark Street
3912 N Clark Street
Café Pergolesi
3404 N Halsted Street
Coffee Up and Gourmet
3021 N Broadway
909 W School Street
Alexandre Kid Gloves on Halsted
Alexandre Kid Gloves on Halsted
matchbook - Ebay
Idrott Cooperative
page - East Lake View by Matthew Nickerson
Grocery Stores 1949
where S&W products were sold
so many of them ....
Other Commercial Areas & Biz:
Shops on Diversey Parkway 1951
1951 stores between Sheridan Road & Clark
Shops on Diversey Parkway 1951
There was a series of articles called 'Walking Tour' by
Chicago journalist Susan Nelson. Ms. Nelson highlighted shops and stores
in various neighborhoods in the city.
But, first read is an essay by Henry Bengston called
Chicago's
Belmont and Clark: a Corner of Memories via Swedish-American
Historical Quarterly
on these commercial districts
Shops on Broadway 1969
Online article part 1
Read all the threads of commentary of the map below from my Facebook site called LakeView Historical
Shops on Clark Street 1969
Online article part 2
Clark Street Shops 1981
Broadway Shops in 1982
both images - East Lake View by Matt Nickerson
Ideal Candies
Clark Street Shops 1981
Broadway Shops in 1982
northwest corner of Halsted & Roscoe
photo - Sulzer Regional Library
Kay Stepkin opened up a bakery in 1971, the Bread Shop,
in Lake View, near the corner of Halsted and Roscoe. She used only organic
whole-grain flour, which she purchased from a health food store on the far
south side. At the time she believed—mistakenly, it turns out—it was the first
vegetarian establishment in the history of Chicago. And for several years, it
remained one of the few. But in the late 1970s, the animal rights movement
began to grow, and in 1987, John Robbins's book Diet for a New America brought
together the strands of human health, animal suffering, and environmental
impact into a powerful argument for vegetarianism not just as a personal choice
but as a social movement. "It pepped everything right up again," says
Stepkin. "Up until a few years ago, [the vegetarian] movement seemed
steady. And now I feel we're in the middle of an enormous explosion. There was
one business in '71, and now there are over 50 today." In 1996, the same year the Bread Shop closed.
below photo - Sulzer Regional Library
Chicago Tattooing
once located by the old Alley complex of stores
A Soda Fountain & Candy Store
1978 photo - Somer Images with Pete Vasilikos
photo - Art Institute of Chicago
From a message board called Straight Dope:
"We used to go there frequently when my sisters and I were kids, not only for the awesome ice cream and sodas, but also the ambiance; when you walked in, it was like going back in time to the '40's or '50's." – wolfgirl40
"It was Ideal Candies. Pete Vasilikos the owner, son of the original owner, Nick Vasilikos, closed this wonder ice cream parlor and home made candy store in 1987 after almost 50 years of operation, following his triple by-pass surgery. R.I.P"
- Gordonio via Chowhound
"After closing the family sold the building to chef Scott Harris who opened Mia Francesca, an Italian restaurant in the space." - Kolak of Twilo
The Toy Store on Halsted Street
images - Public Collections (not in the map)
Steinberg-Baum was a toy store located at 3056 N Halsted Street. My thanks to Leo Robert Klein via LakeView Historical-Facebook for recalling this store in old Lake View!
This 32 bowling lane established last decades from the early 1940's by the mid-60's. The building was located across the street from the Marigold Gardens during its period of boxing & wrestling matches - on Grace Street west of Broadway.
image - Dr. Jakes Bowling History
image - Chicago Daily Tribune Ad 1988
photo below - Dr. Jakes Bowling History
photo below - Dr. Jakes Bowling History
A Member of an Association
image - Chicago Tribune
An Auto Shop on the Corner
3736 N Halsted Street
The Drum Gift Shop
3215 N Broadway
Ghost sign, the last remains of the gift shop that is
still located in the Walgreens parking lot
photo - Garry Albrecht
excerpts from the 1969 article about Broadway shops
An 1988 article about it ...
During the Era of New Town 1981
(click on article segments to
enlarge)
Some Random Stores in Old Lake View
Save Rite Pharmacy
by Matthew Nickerson
Barry Beauty Salon
According to a patron, Barbara Jean Rogers, Jack Goldberg was the proprietor. He used to give out pocket mirrors with plastic backings that had a purple and pink design with the legend: "Mirror, mirror on the back, Is it time to visit Jack?" Jack cut hair using a straight razor, which he would wave around in the air while yelling in Hungarian to whoever he was talking to on the phone. (He'd hold the receiver between his head and his shoulder.) That was mildly terrifying for whoever was in the chair. Jack charged the highest prices of anyone in the neighborhood for a haircut – his cuts routinely cost $5 when everyone else charged $1.50. One time, he charged me $7.50 for cutting my very unruly and thick and curly hair. He did a great job, but my mother had a cow, especially because I only had $5 with me and had to go back with the additional $2.50. Mother called and complained, and Jack never charged me that much again. Jack was an artist and a very colorful individual.
Rosewood Restaurant
along with the tokens
Bookman's Corner
1976 to present (2017)
After 35 years in the book business, owner John Chandler
is changing his business model. "The new model is no books on the
floor," said Chandler, who has been serving books rare, medium and well
done, as the store's window declares, at the Lakeview location since 1976 - Chicago Tribune
photo above - Brooke Sherman via their Facebook 2016
below photo - Yelp via Steve L. 2017
Bookleggers
2907 N Broadway
closed 2017
all photos - Yelp
2907 N Broadway
closed 2017
a recent photo from Hotel Room Search
Hollywood Mirror
1993-2019
The funky, fun, bizarre, and the unique small businesses of Lake View have left the neighborhood to other areas of the city in the last couple of years. First it was Uncle Fun and then the Alley and now in 2019 the Hollywood Mirror all once along Belmont Avenue. I remember Addendum and Equinox along Broadway stores that provided the different and unique household items gone along Broadway. A new type of customer has moved into Lake View with different tastes and desires. Funky and unique Lake View is out and according to the manager of the store – bland is in. Hollywood Mirror opened in 1993 at 812 W Belmont Avenue between Clark and Halsted streets.
1988 photo - 3830 N Clark Street
Robert Krueger Collection via Chicago Public Library
Hausman's Laundry
R. Krueger Chicago Public Library via Explore Chicago
and across the street on the northside of Roscoe Street
Lake Shore Furniture
934 W Roscoe
1987 photo - Robert Krueger, Chicago Public Library
via Explore Chicago CollectionsHerdegen-Breiske Funeral Home
below image - Lake View by Matt Nickerson
The business closed a year after the publication of his book
Work of Art Pastry Shop
642 W Diversey Parkway
1990 photo - Robert Krueger via Chicago Public Library
Lake Shore Furniture
Lake Shore Furniture
The Shops in the Hood in 1990
These next two sections are split
and could not piece together
via my sister site, LakeView Historical on Facebook
Dennis Place for Games
955 W Belmont Avenue
same building as Quiet Knight, Tuts, and Avalon
photo - Dennis Harris via Forgotten Chicago-Facebook
photo - Calumet 412
The last vestiges of '80's arcade culture, these two video
game dives in Lake View (957 W Belmont Ave) and Rogers Park (6701 N Clark St)
kept pumping out tokens—80 for ten bucks—until December 2007. This wasn't your
kiddie playland, rather a place you'd expect to find Cobra Kai bullies buying
bumps of blow under the air hockey table.
– Chicago Tribune 2014
1) 2007 - This place is the last remnant of the arcade era, of
which I was a devout follower. Thanks to arcades, I now have spent enough to
finance my kids college to any university he could have wanted to attend on
computers, game systems and video games. That's OK, if he really wants to go to
college, he'll get a scholarship. Sadly for me and arcade disciples like myself,
this place has not bought a new game in like 10 years. I can play way cooler
games on the toilet on a Nintendo DS. I don't know how much longer a seedy
place like that can stay in business, especially that being the trendy
neighborhood it is, and the probable demand for space there. You can go to a thrift
store and buy a NES and 5 games for less than it would cost to play games a
quarter at a time for 2 hours. Part of me wants to see this place stay there ,
but for gods sake either go totally old school classic or update , you cannot
be filled with mediocre games from the mid 90's and expect my support.
2) 2008 - wow! I'm surprised Dennis is still open. This was the
hangout during my high school years in the late eighties....The location in
Rogers Park was 100% better....this was
the place to be for serious gaming and compete against the top gamers in the
neighborhood! Pacman rules!
2) 2008 - The last time that I came here was around 6 years ago.
I'm not sure if the crowds changed, but I can assure you that when I came here
a few times each month in high school that some of the seediest people would
hang out daily.
It wasn't very cheap, I'd end up with pocketfuls of
tokens just to feel satisfied in the 'exchange' ratio. I'd be minding my own
business and some antisocial weirdo would come over to an area where NO ONE had
been for half an hour just to beat my game and take it over.
Not much game variety either over the long term.
I'm all for competition, and I am aware that all people
need love and attention... but between the strange men and the transsexual
prostitutes that would interact later in the evening gave me the heebie
jeebies. Take it to your mom's basement :P sheesh. - all comments from Yelp*
Scenes
(photo search)
(photo search)
3168 N. Clark Street
Located on Clark just off Belmont, Scenes set up shop in
1987. At the time, about the only coffeehouses in the city were the venerable
Cafe Pergolesi and No Exit, both of which had their roots in the 1960's. Read more about it from the Chicago Tribune with this link.
Cafe Pavo
(photo search)
(photo search)
3523 N. Clark Street
Pleasant
Wrigleyville coffeehouse popular with students, artists, musicians and
Ethiopians (there are several Ethiopian restaurants along this stretch of Clark
Street).
- Chicago Tribune
Caffe Pergolesi
(photo search)
(photo search)
3404 N. Halsted Street
If you`re
looking for an authentic bohemian atmosphere, this is it. The folks at Caffe
Pergolesi were pouring cappuccino long before it became fashionable. Read the article below:
Chicago Tribune August 23, 1991
By Jodi Wilgoren
'Though not technically Chicago`s oldest coffeehouse, it
is the one that has been under the same ownership and in the same spot for the
longest time-22 years.
Founded by David Weinberger, now 56, because he could
not find a decent place to hang out in the Windy City, Pergolesi is a mellow,
simple coffeehouse tradition. It is only open in the evenings and is closed two
weeks in April for Passover.
The dark room features tables tucked away in crevices,
including two choice spots on a raised platform by the Halsted Street windows,
and is usually adorned with local artistry. Coffeehouse collectibles line a
shelf overhanging the kitchen counter, and Weinberger`s first espresso machine,
a 1950s Victoria, looms over the cafe to lend an antique flavor.
Decor, clientele and menu at Pergolesi are eclectic, a
fuzzy reflection of the proprietor. ``It`s whatever I like,`` explains
Weinberger, a 56-year-old Orthodox Jew who grew up in New York City
coffeehouses and favors good espresso, good food and good conversation.'
J. Torguri Mercantile Company
One of the last homemade chocolate shops
photo - Inside Booster
A storefront that was part of Broadway for 70 years
Follow the conversation on LakeView Historical on Facebook
The Market Place
once known as Shop and Save
located on the south side of Diversey in Lincoln Park
A Shop and Save article in 1966
The grandson changes name to Market Place in 1986
Known for this exotic fruits 1986
The original owner dies in 1988
The first rendering in 2011
The second rending below in 2017
both images via DNAinfo
Iva Toguri D'aquino (Tokyo Rose) and her family owned this shop along Belmont west of Clark - read more with this link.
both images - East Lake View by Matthew Nickerson
House of Fine Chocolates
A storefront that was part of Broadway for 70 years
Follow the conversation on LakeView Historical on Facebook
The Market Place
once known as Shop and Save
located on the south side of Diversey in Lincoln Park
A Shop and Save article in 1966
The original owner dies in 1988
The Re-Placement
The second rending below in 2017
both images via DNAinfo
The Jewel
Broadway, Wellington & Ashland
(click on article to enlarge)
Grape & Lettuce Boycott 1973
My thanks to contributor Susan Reibman Groff for bringing this Jewel image to my attention. After further research other images were discovered by sequencing the slide ID #'s together. I am assuming all slide images are related. All 3 photos below by Paul Sequeira via National Archives.
The Jewel on Ashland was also involved in protest in 1975
(click on article to enlarge)
Another Opening in 1967
3531 N Broadway
(missing legend) late 70's or early 80's?
'The Clark and Belmont'
by Urban Dictionary at
2005
'An area of the city of Chicago near Wrigley Field
(Wrigleyville) made up of the intersection of Clark and Belmont, the streets of
Clark and Belmont themselves, and the entire general area. Clark and Belmont is the neighborhood of nearly every
subculture Chicago has to offer, especially the Chicago Punk scene.'
photos by Garry Albrecht
This one is personal ...
This double storefront shop was known for its Holiday Season products especially their very unique ornaments. The originally owners were transplants from Detroit bringing their idea of 'an equinox in every household' to a corner space in Lake View East - Broadway & Roscoe. By the turn of the century the owners expanded the store on the corner to along Broadway creating a hallway opening to the annex store. Over the years 'word of mouth' earned them a reputation as the 'Holiday Season' store during the month of December with, most often, ten Christmas trees in both spaces of their shop.
all photos by me
The trees were stuffed with countless themed ornaments. There would be a tree stuffed with birds, one with fishes, one of red ornaments, one of blue and white ornaments - you get the idea! There were racks and racks of unique ornaments to chose from.
They also sold items for your home bar, clocks for
various sizes and designs, vintage-like lamps or lamps with a possible animal
design on them. In fact, animals was the initial theme of this store - from
cookie jars to dish sets.
I was a part-time employee during the early years finally
working only during the month of December as a gift box maker in their
basement.
The customer would request that their unique gift that would be enclosed in a 'EQUINOX' designed box - over 25 sizes & shapes. While the store had a great 24 year run it could have had exploded in sales for another 24 years if the created an internet sales component to their business strategy. I created their Facebook presence in 2012 after years of persuading and pleading but the owner failed to create an internet presence at very end. I will have fond memories of this store, its customers, and my former fellow employees - if the walls could only talk!
once was a pharmacy
Feb. 1965 Chicago Tribune
from contributor Susan Reibman Groff
Bel-Port Liquor Store
1982-2016
An interest story about a another long-term business
that is no longer.
photo - Iris S. via Yelp
photo - DNAinfo
Sasha the friendly parrot
above photo - Reid C. via Foursquare
below photo - Terrie G. via Foursquare
the new look for the building but not the business
2018 photo below - Chris Cullen
Treasure Island Foods
3460 N Broadway
1963-2018
first store in Chicago
first to sell international products
photo - local tourist
the newer facade below - Chicago Tribune
an article in 1983
Google Views
2009 photo angles via Google Maps
view southwest from Broadway above
view northwest from Broadway below
2017 photo angles via Google Maps
view southwest from Broadway above
view northwest from Broadway below
A garage/sales office per this 1950 Sanborn Fire Map
Southport Corridor News & Events
1982-2016
An interest story about a another long-term business
that is no longer.
For 12 years, Amy Stasny and her dog Bailey have started
their walks around west Lake View at Bel-Port Liquors, where owner Joe Barbari
always has dog treats waiting for one of his favorite customers.
With his pet cockatoo Sasha perched on his shoulder on a
recent weekday, Barbari tossed bone-shaped biscuits to Bailey. For a while,
when the dog was sick, Barbari's biscuits were all she'd eat, Stasny said. For
decades, this has been Barbari's life. His cousin opened Bel-Port Liquors in
March 1982, and Barbari, 50, took over six years later. "I've been here
ever since," said Barbari. But the storekeep's watch over Belmont and
Southport avenues will come to an end this spring, when Bel-Port Liquors, 1362
W. Belmont Ave., is expected to close to make way for a new Bow Truss Coffee
Roasters. "I'm losing everything," Barbari said solemnly. "This
is my only source of business. This is what puts food on my table." The
building has been sold, and he's been told to vacate by mid-May. But before
Barbari can dwell, another longtime customer stops in to shake his hand and
wish him a "happy retirement."
Barbari's eyes light up, and he cracks a joke about
"putting my feet up." Stickers the store had made with his likeness that label
products as "Joe Approved" have suddenly become a hot item, as have
similar T-shirts. They talk briefly about Barbari's daughter, who's in college,
and his visitor departs, promising to see Barbari again soon. "I'm going
to miss a lot of people around here," Barbari says, brusquely helping
three or four customers. But he laments that he's not as close to as many
customers as he used to be. "The atmosphere, the sense of humor with
people doesn't exist as much. You say, 'Good morning' to them, and they look at
you like, 'Who are you?'" he said.
photo - DNAinfo
It can be hard to resist Barbari's easy manner, and even
harder to resist Sasha. For the last four years, Sasha has greeted Bel-Port
customers, often perched on Barbari's shoulder as he works. "The kids come
and say hello; the adults take pictures with her; and everybody comes to see
her every day," Barbari told DNAinfo Chicago last year. "She's
getting very popular — right, Sasha?" Rent prices in Lakeview have risen
beyond his reach, so Barbari doesn't plan on opening a new location. But what
stunned him, Barbari said, was his landlord's abrupt break from what he'd seen
as a warm relationship built over three decades. "All of a sudden, he
turned 360 degrees on me," Barbari said. "I've never seen him like this
before. He could just say good luck, at least." Barbari's landlord could
not be reached for comment.
photo - DNAinfo
The Palestinian national doesn't know the exact date
he'll have to close, but said he hopes to see most of his customers before
then. After 35 years in the United States, it'll be like saying goodbye to
family. "I love the people around here," Barbari said.
"The neighborhood has changed, yes, but the people I deal with have been
wonderful."
above photo - Reid C. via Foursquare
below photo - Terrie G. via Foursquare
2018 photo below - Chris Cullen
3460 N Broadway
1963-2018
first store in Chicago
first to sell international products
the newer facade below - Chicago Tribune
a full page ad in 1963
an article in 1976
an article in 1983
Google Views
2009 photo angles via Google Maps
view northwest from Broadway below
view northwest from Broadway below
a neighborhood online business & events news source
Southport Corridor News & Events - Facebook
they cover this strip of stores very well!
In the 2015 or so this area has changed more than any other shopping area in Lake View. More with this link!
Post Notes:
Vintage Business Sponsors:
The Nettelhorst School Newspaper
1959 & 1963
images - Susan Reibman Groff
(click on article to enlarge)
a page from 1959
pages from 1963
A Church Program Book 1915
This is a event program booklet from the Lake View Lutheran Church when it was located on the corner of Roscoe and Kenmore (Osgood). This booklet highlights the local businesses that supported the event in 1915. This booklet dates after the 1909 address changes so, it should be easy to research the businesses on each page.
photos - Ebay but now part of my personal collection
The Lake View Township Directory
1885-86 Edition
images - Ebay
The directory was subdivided into commercial and residential sections - pre 1909 addressed
- the first and apparently the only directory published
book cover
book thickness
The commercial section below
The residential section below
Ideal - Dry Goods Store
When the majority of businesses in our area were
German-American owned & managed
When the majority of businesses in our area were
German-American owned & managed
from my personal collection
dry goods store called IDEAL owned by a Miss A.A. Wieboldt
at the post 1909 address of 1608 W Fullerton Avenue
Important Note:
These posts are exclusively used for educational purposes. I do not wish to gain monetary profit from this blog nor should anyone else without permission for the original source - thanks!
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