How Does Your Garden Grow?

Progress continues on GrowUptown, the Petersen Garden Project community garden at the former Stewart School. The raised beds are installed and are being filled with soil, the pavers are done, and the wrought iron fencing is in place. Shouldn't be long now before the gardeners can start doing their thing.

Tracks From The Past

click to enlarge / photo credit @backwards_river on Twitter

An aerial view of the Wilson stop from 1959, looking south. The buildings are remarkably the same as they are today, although the businesses have changed (as businesses do).

Spoil Me Spa & Salon was Elmer's Grill; you could get loans at the McJunkin Building; Elim Wigs was Hillman's Grocery; the Clover Building on Leland was still a commercial building (with an ad for "health aids" painted on the bricks); and Uptown Federal stood where BMO Harris is now.

We don't miss the light-blocking tracks and the many support posts in the middle of the street and sidewalk.

Hat tip to the editors at CWB for making us aware of this tweet.

Going Up!

It's an Uptown uprising! Now that the former El Pollo Loco building is gone and the building permits have been issued, the new mixed-use residential retail building at the corner of Wilson and Sheridan has begun to go vertical.

Eight and a half years of having an empty lot at a major intersection was far too long.

New Fine Dining Restaurant Brass Heart To Open August 21st

Brass Heart, the self-described "progressive fine dining restaurant in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood," has announced its opening date will be August 21st. The fare will be a "tasting menu," with 12 to 15 small courses.

Like 42 Grams, in whose former space it will open (4662 N Broadway), it will require prepaid reservations, booked online.

Like 42 Grams, it will be "destination dining" for foodies with deep pockets ($165-$185 per meal, according to the website). There will be room for 20 diners at a time in the small storefront.

Like 42 Grams, it will feature the gastronomic creations of a local chef with an intriguing reputation, in this case, Matt Kerney, formerly of Longman & Eagle.

You can read more about it in this interview with Matt Kerney in the Tribune and in this article about the team assisting him from Eater Chicago.

We hope, like 42 Grams, that it makes people think twice about what they expect from Uptown. We hope for raves about the little off-the-beaten-track restaurant that attracts people seeking new eating experiences. We wish Chef Kerney much success in this adventure.

T'oui Macaron & Patisserie Opens (and Is Delicious!)

It was a long time coming, but T'oui Macaron & Patisserie has opened at 5018 North Broadway, at Argyle Street. And it is a very tasty addition to Uptown!

Run by the owners of Ba Le, and housed in Ba Le's original location, the permits were first obtained more than four years ago. It opened about a month ago, and while the wait was long, the results are mouth-watering.

There are two display cases full of macarons ($2.25 each - buy five, get one free), in flavors like boysenberry, pistachio, green tea, passion fruit, and red velvet. Then there's another case full of pretty pastries (nearly too nice to eat!), including 20-layer crepe cake, coconut mousse cake, hazelnut puffs, and éclairs (varying prices, buy three, get one free).

They also carry some bakery goods (croissants), green tea, nine varieties of coffee drinks, and waffle yogurt bowls (huge!) with up to three toppings for $6.95.

The storefront is neat and minimalist, with indoor seating for about 15. Kids and adults will probably enjoy sitting in the oversized "pretty princess" chair for photo opportunities.

T'oui shares an outside patio with Ba Le, located between the two stores.

T'oui's summer hours are 11am-9pm Monday through Friday, and 10am-9pm on Saturday and Sunday. It is run by the same family that has operated Ba Le in Chicago since 1988.

We are delighted to finally welcome T'oui to Uptown.

Magnolia-Malden Neighbors Vote Down Malden Lot Proposal By 5 Vote Margin

The 5 vacant city lots on Malden, vacant since at least the early 1970s

Magnolia-Malden Neighbors Block Club has turned down the third proposal from developer Steve Sgouras for a lot that has been vacant over 50 years. The proposal, which would require an upzone, included 45 three bedroom, 2 bath condos, one-to-one parking (minus one garden unit), and the all-important 30 foot Sheridan Park setback.

This time, voting members voted it down by an ultra-slim margin of 5 votes, yet in the block club's letter to Alderman Cappleman, the vote is called a "clear majority." 

The final tally of votes was curiously not included in the letter to the alderman, but was sent out to residents who voted on the project in an email last night which was sent to Uptown Update.

Block club members paid a $10 membership fee for the right to vote on the proposal, with a total of 31 members voting.

18 AGAINST the zoning change

13 FOR the zoning change

Interesting to think that for 5 votes, or $50 worth of votes, a $10M project  was turned down by a block club. Not a great voter turnout when you think that many of the buildings in the Magnolia Malden boundaries have more than 31 residents in a single building.

The project will still proceed to the 46th Ward Zoning & Development Committee with letters of support from Uptown United, Graceland Wilson Neighbors Association and Beacon Block Club, which shares an alley with the proposal. Those letters are now posted on Alderman Cappleman's website along with the letter from MM Neighbors stating a "clear majority" were against the upzone request. Is a 5 vote difference a clear majority?

We trust that cooler heads will prevail at the next meeting.

Get Ready For Argyle Night Market, Beginning at 5PM

Tonight is Argyle Night Market, at Sheridan and Argyle between 5pm and 9pm. There will be face painting for kids between 5-7 and a kids play area between 5-9. In addition to the vendors and food, be ready to enjoy

• 5:30PM: Community Drumming Circle
• 6:00PM - Green Scene Chicago presents "HELIANTHUS: A power flower trots the globe" featuring puppetry, music, drumming and spectacle @ Winthrop Harmony Arts Garden.
• 7:00PM: Live music featuring Pastor Funkpleez & The Pulpit Players!

Admission is free, and you can even park your bike for free at Uptown Bikes, at its pop-up store at 1124 West Argyle.

Welcome to New 46th Ward Democratic Committeeman Sean Tenner

Ald. Cappleman has announced he's stepping down from his position as 46th Ward Democratic Committeeman. In a statement released on Wednesday, he welcomed Sean Tenner as his successor:

"Today I was pleased to support the nomination and election of longtime 46th Ward Democratic activist and former 46th Ward Democrats President Sean Tenner to succeed me as Democratic Committeeman.  I have enjoyed my role as Democratic Committeeman since 2012 and, working within my community and with Democratic leaders throughout the state, we have made great strides in increasing Democratic and progressive energy moving towards the 2018 General Election.

This 2018 election is of absolutely historic importance.  We need a Democratic Congress in Washington to block the incredibly dangerous Trump agenda.  We need to elect JB Pritzker to end Governor Rauner’s endless attacks on working families, unions, and social services and start moving our state back in a more progressive direction.

At the same time, there are also numerous projects I am working on critical to the future of the 46th Ward  – such as the long-awaited redevelopment on the historic Uptown Theatre and initiatives related to public safety, schools, housing, infrastructure and transportation.

I want to devote as much time as possible to addressing these critical ward issues, and I know that Sean has the experience and energy to lead the 46th Ward Democrats going in to the fall campaign and beyond.

This is a win-win for the 46th Ward and the Democratic Party.  I look forward to working with Sean, a friend I have known and worked with since my first campaign, to make our community, state and nation more fair and just for people of all backgrounds.

For more information visit 46thwarddems.weebly.com. Sean Tenner can be reached at (312) 576-8822."

If you're wondering who your ward's Republican and Democratic committeemen are, here are links:

• Cook County Democrats
• Cook County Republican Party

Big Weekend Coming Up At Buttercup Park

How Chicago's Community Areas Stack Up: Murder, He Wrote

A real estate broker and blogger named Gary Lucido likes to track crime statistics in various neighborhoods in Chicago. He looked at the past year's murder rate (June 2017-June 2018) for each of Chicago's 77 official community areas, and draws some conclusions.

One is, "Uptown often gets a bad rap but in reality its murder rate isn't that awful - by Chicago standards."

Um, thanks...?

In reality, Uptown stacks up pretty well, although zero would be a much nicer number. Mr. Lucido determined that Uptown had 5.6 murders per 100,000 people in the past 12 months. That puts Uptown slightly ahead of Albany Park (4.0), West Ridge (4.0), and Lincoln Square (4.3), and slightly behind the Loop (6.1), the Near North Side (6.2), and Bridgeport (6.3).

For those looking for the communities with the highest murder rates, the unparalleled champion is West Garfield Park with a rate of 139 murders per 100,000 residents. It is trailed by North Lawndale (95.8) and Englewood (94.9).

The communities with a big fat zero are Armour Square, Beverly, Burnside, Calumet Heights, Dunning, Edgewater, Edison Park, Forest Glen, Hermosa, Irving Park, Jefferson Park, Montclaire, Mount Greenwood, Near South Side, Montclare, North Center, Norwood Park, Oakland, Pullman, and West Lawn.

You can read Gary Lucido's blog, Getting Real, here.

Beam Me Up!

Demo is well underway at 4720 North Sheridan. As of Monday night, when this photo was taken, all that remained of the humble one-story building were the side and back walls and an I-beam across the front. As of Tuesday, the I-beam had been removed.

According to the meeting summary on Truman Square Neighbors' Facebook page, full demolition is expected within the week. Then either a five-story building (under current zoning) or a six-story building (under requested zoning) will be built, depending on the outcome of the residents' votes.

Vintage Garage To Wrap Up After 2018 Season - Three More Monthly Markets To Go!

Well, hell.

The promoters of Vintage Garage have announced that this season, the seventh one in Uptown, will be the last for the all-vintage monthly flea market. It's our favorite place to discover items that are fun! retro! kitschy! collectible!

The areas all around the garage at 5051 North Broadway will be a construction zone that makes holding the Sunday sales just too difficult. 5050 Broadway across the street is being converted into new apartments, and two new buildings (5063 and 5083 North Broadway) will be built just north of the garage.

BUT -- there are three markets left to go and the promoters are going to make them celebrations! Be sure to drop by for some wonderful vintage items and good times as Vintage Garage goes out with a bang:

• Theme: Vintage Wedding - August 19
• Theme: Retro Chicago - September 16
• FINALE with Record Ramp - October 21

Vintage Garage takes place on the third Sunday of each month, April through October, at 5051 North Broadway. Admission is $5, and the garage is open 10am to 5pm. More info is at the website.

Everything Old Is New Again

Two major projects are coming to a stretch of Broadway that will renovate buildings from decades ago.

You already know about that Uptown Theater project (4816 North Broadway). The nearly 100-year-old gem will get $75 million worth of attention. You can read a recent interview with its owner, Jerry Mickelson, about the plans.

(If you somehow missed the news about the theater, read here, here, here, and here.)

There will undoubtedly be a long-term ripple effect on the blocks surrounding the theater as well.

Meanwhile, a couple blocks north....

The former Combined Insurance Building at 5050 Broadway is undergoing a change as it goes from an office building to residential rentals. The developers are keeping the same framework but gutting the building. You can see through it now!

The early 1960s addition to the Combined Insurance
building, Broadway at Carmen. You can see the
1920s-era building to the left, which was torn down in
the mid-1960s to build the 10-story building at the
corner of Winnemac and Broadway.

When Combined Insurance moved to Uptown in 1959, it took over a six-story 1920s-era building at the corner of Broadway and Winnemac that had once been used for auto storage. It quickly outgrew that space, and in 1960, built an addition, a six-story building at 5060 Broadway (at Carmen).

(Fun fact: It needed more space for the technology of the day: computers. IBM mainframes took up entire rooms and floors!)

When its growth outpaced even the new building in the mid-1960s, it dismantled the 1920s building and put up a 10-story tower in its place. That's the "well-ventilated" building seen above, which will provide the frame for the building's next phase.

A hat tip to Epstein for providing photos and a history of the Combined Insurance Building.

Happy Hour Fundraiser At My Buddy's on Friday

The Sunnyside Mall will hold its annual block party on August 18th between noon and 5pm. They'd like to raise enough money to get a bouncy house and a balloon twister for the occasion.

And this is where you come in. They are partnering with My Buddy's for Happy Hour on Friday, July 27th. My Buddy's (4416 North Clark) will donate $1 from every drink purchased between 5pm and 7pm to go to the Sunnyside Mall Committee to make the block party more fun.

Stop by, have a beer or a cocktail, and help your community at the same time. Why, it's practically your duty to drink up!

Thank you to My Buddy's for their generosity.

If you'd like an excuse to go to My Buddy's sooner than Friday, they're having a Louisiana-style crawfish boil on Sunday:

Weiss Hospital To Get New Owner

Photo of Louis A. Weiss Memorial Hospital courtesy of Google Streetview

A healthcare investment group, TWG Partners, has reached an agreement to buy Weiss Memorial Hospital and two other hospitals from Texas-based Tenet Healthcare.

The group is headed by Dr. Eric Whitaker, former director of the Illinois Department of Health and former executive vice president at University of Chicago Medicine. The hospital, which is Uptown's largest employer, will be managed by Pipeline Health.

It's probable that we won't see much of a difference at Weiss; Tenet acquired it in 2013, which went mostly unnoticed. The sale is expected to close by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals.

You can read about the deal at Crain's Business. No financial terms have been revealed.

Beautify Clarendon Park With Your Neighbors

17th Annual WFCW Garden Walk This Saturday

The Winona Foster Carmen Winnemac Block Club (WFCW) will hold its 17th Annual Garden Walk this Saturday. Pick up maps of the 28 participating gardens at 1450 Winona or 1246 Winnemac.

Got A Home Security Camera? 20th District Seeks Crime Video

Barrel Of Monkeys Moves To Uptown

Barrel of Monkeys’ company members perform THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA. Photo by Evan Hanover.

A very worthy -- and entertaining -- organization is moving to Buena Park!

The press release says,

"Barrel of Monkeys, one of Chicago’s leading arts education organizations, is pleased to announce its move this week to Chicago’s Buena Park/Uptown neighborhood. The company’s new administrative offices and rehearsal space will be located at 4021 N. Broadway, 1st Floor. Barrel of Monkeys is relocating from Chicago’s Ravenswood neighborhood.

The company will continue to perform its long-running, year-round sketch show THAT’S WEIRD, GRANDMA at its longtime home, the Neo-Futurist Theater, 5153 N. Ashland Ave. in Chicago’s Andersonville neighborhood, as well as touring it throughout the city.

Comments Executive Director Corinne Neal, “We look forward to becoming part of the vibrant Buena Park community. We hope to establish new partnerships with the schools and businesses in the neighborhood, and we’re excited to be in close proximity to so many fellow arts, culture, and social justice organizations, including the Pride Arts Center and Broadway Youth Center.”

About Barrel of Monkeys

Barrel of Monkeys, a Chicago-based arts education theater ensemble now in its 21st season, conducts creative writing workshops with 2nd through 7th grade students in underserved Chicago elementary schools and in its own after-school program. The ensemble of actor-educators then turns their stories and poems into professionally performed theater, presented both in-school and for the general public through its revues. Barrel of Monkeys annually performs more than 300 stories for the students in their schools and 175 stories on the stage for the general public.

Since Barrel of Monkeys’ inception in 1997, its teaching artists have served more than 60 Chicago Public Schools. Over 15,000 elementary school students have participated in the Barrel of Monkeys programs, which aim to build students' writing skills, improve self-esteem, and instill confidence in their ideas and abilities.

Barrel of Monkeys is sponsored in part by Wintrust Financial, Allscripts, Inc., Ernst and Young and Punchkick Interactive. It receives generous support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency; the National Endowment for the Arts; a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; the Chicago Community Trust; Crown Family Philanthropies; Alphawood Foundation of Chicago; the Maurice R. and Meta G. Gross Foundation; Polk Bros Foundation; the Richard H. Driehaus Foundation; the Robert and Isabelle Bass Foundation, Inc.; The Saints; The Topfer Family Foundation, and many other generous individuals and foundations."

Latin Fusion Music, Belly Dancers, Drum Circle, And Exotic Food: All At Argyle Night Market

Tonight is the third Argyle Night Market of the season! Come to Argyle and Sheridan between 5pm and 9pm to enjoy delicious food, live music, cultural performances and family fun, with free admission.  Tonight's schedule is:

• 5:30 - Community Drum Circle 
• 6:30 - Belly Dancers presented by Burning City Neo-Vintage Entertainment Festival
• 7:00 - Live music featuring Son Monarcas, the Latin Folk Fusion ensemble

Special Deals For Teachers

Teachers, we know you spend a lot of your own money to get your classroom into shape. A couple of Uptown's big box stores are here to help:

• Target is giving teachers 15% off selected school supplies through July 21st. Click here for the coupon code and more information.
• Staples in our area is doing teacher appreciation August 24-27 with a free sample kit, special savings, and a chance to win big for your classroom. Details are here.

Mario Metoyer, Age 57, Missing; May Be In Area Of People's Church

Mario Metoyer, age 57, has been reported missing. He was last seen at the People's Church, 941 West Lawrence, on July 8th.

Mr. Metoyer lives in Hanover Park, but he frequents Uptown and the area around the People's Church. The last time he was seen by staff at the church, he appeared to have been injured and had a cast on his right arm.

Mr. Metoyer has the mental capacity of a 15-year-old. He is sight-impaired and limps due to an injury to his right ankle.

When last seen, he was wearing a short-sleeved jean shirt, light blue jean shorts and blue/grey gym shoes. He wears green reading glasses.

He is Latino with an olive complexion, is 5'7" tall, and weighs 210 lbs. He has black hair and brown eyes.

It is possible he may show up for services at People's Church on Thursday, July 19th, between 11:30am and 1pm.

Please keep an eye out for him. If you see him or have any information about his whereabouts, please call the Area North Special Victims Unit at (312) 744-8266, or 9-1-1.

4555 N. Sheridan Development Cleared To Rise

4555 N. Sheridan (Bates Forum Architect)

Going up!

4555 N. Sheridan, the transit oriented development from CRG, received its full building permits yesterday, which means it has been cleared to rise the full 12 stories by the city.

We heard from CRG's Jay Case who marks this momentous occasion by saying:

“The long neglected Uptown neighborhood is emerging from its shell and we are proud to have a presence in the growing community,” CRG Principal Jay Case said. “New developments, including apartments and an urban Target, historically significant entertainment venues and the proximity to the lakefront make Uptown an exciting place to live. When completed, this transit-oriented development will contain 149 apartments in a twelve-story glass tower with 5,000-square-feet of ground floor retail space and 29 parking spots.”

Former Army Surplus Building Reno Well Underway, Indian Chief To Follow

Street level windows are being removed at 4647 N. Broadway

A building that was covered in blue siding for more than 55 years, and whose brick and terracotta facade has only recently seen the light of day is getting a new lease on life.

Workers have been hauling out debris from the interior of the former Z-Wallis Army Surplus Building at 4647 N. Broadway for some time now. Street level windows are being removed and according to the building permit just issued, we have a good idea of what the scope of work is:

"Core & shell renovation of vacant, existing 2-story building for future use (0 dus). work includes exterior tuck-pointing, new windows, new stair, and elevator."

Detail of 4629 N. Broadway

Just down the street, the "Indian Chief" building at 4629 N. Broadway owned by the same developer, is navigating its way through the city's permitting process. The latest update mentions:

"RENOVATION OF EXISTING ONE STORY BUILDING FOR OFFICE USE (0 D.U.) WORK INCLUDES NEW STOREFRONT WINDOW AND ENTRY, NEW INTERIOR FRAMEWORK, AND MEP WORK."

Do You Recognize This (Alleged) Package Thief? (Updated 2x)

We can't stress this enough:

Don't let anyone you don't know or aren't expecting into your building.

Don't let them follow you inside.

Don't buzz anyone in if they are ringing all the doorbells.

Because that's how stuff like this happens.

We heard from a property manager on Tuesday with these security photos attached (cropped and lightened for clarity).

He writes,

"I am sharing with you images from a property I manage on Montrose and Broadway. The individual in the picture arrived at our building, and waited patiently outside for 10 minutes until someone let him into the building.

He then went into the package room and took as many packages as he could before exiting.

He also arrived with packages, which means we were not his first stop."

The manager also mentions that this man is a repeat offender stealing packages from the building.

The pictures are good quality. You can see the man's face clearly, you can see his unusual haircut (shaved on the sides and messy on top), and he has distinctive tattoos on his right arm (seen in the bottom photo).

If you know who he is, or if you can provide any information, please call the 19th District CAPS office at 312-744-0064, or call (773) 989-8000 and ask for the manager of Buena Pointe Condos.

Someone out there knows who this guy is. Please share widely.

And, remember, this is one of several very good reasons to not let people into your building who you don't know.

---

UPDATE: Oh, look, here he is again, stealing packages from another building.

See photos below.

This isn't the only guy out there doing this. Seriously, take precautions:

• This is Amazon Prime Week. If you're ordering from Amazon, you can have your packages delivered to an Amazon Locker. There are several in our area, including always-open 7/11s.
• Call the cops if your packages are stolen. They can't work on crimes they don't know about.
• Don't let people you don't know in your building!

---

Update: A reader of our Facebook page thinks he recognizes the man in the photos. He contacted both the 19th District CAPS office and the building's management office with the man's name. Now we wait and see what happens. But this guy is hardly the only person pulling this crap. Continue to use precautions about letting people you don't know into your building.

Movie In The Park On Thursday At Chase Park

Colin Firth, ABBA songs, Greek islands, and FREE. What more could you want? Come watch Mamma Mia! The Movie at Chase Park (4701 North Ashland) on Thursday, July 19th!

"Join us for an evening of family fun!!! From 7:30pm-8:30pm face painting, bounce house and music! Movie will follow at approximately 8:30pm. Don't forget to bring cash...the Chase Park Teen Club will be selling concessions!"

Graceland West Garden Walk Coming Up On August 5th

4720 N. Sheridan Rendering Revealed

Quest Realty's proposal for 4720 N. Sheridan (Hanna Architects)

Ald. Cappleman's office has released the rendering of Quest Realty's proposed 6 story development at 4720 N. Sheridan. Building permits for a 5 story building with ground floor retail have already been granted, which the developer is allowed to build by right.

Quest is asking for a zoning change to add on one story to the development, which would create a total of 30 units with ground floor retail, up from 20 units that would be allowed under the current zoning. 12 parking spaces with alley access are planned and there will be one ARO (Affordable Requirements Ordinance) unit on site.

Quest is currently completing a development at 4420 N. Sheridan, which filled a lot that had been mostly vacant over 40 years.

Truman Square Neighbors (Wilson to Lawrence, Broadway to Sheridan) will be meeting at Alderman Cappleman's office, 4544 N. Broadway, on July 23 at 7PM to discuss the zoning change that would allow Quest to add the extra story. Quest Realty's Jason Vondrachek will be on hand to answer questions and present the plans. Truman Square Neighbors will then vote via paper ballot and online on the proposal. Follow TSN here on Facebook.

Demolition permits have been issued and fencing is up at 4720 N. Sheridan
(photo from Truman Square Neighbors Facebook page)

Strip Mall Preservation

The current vacant strip mall at 4600 N. Magnolia

Disappointing (or joyous) news depending which side of "strip mall preservation" you are on.

According to Ald. Cappleman's ward development page, the owner of the mostly vacant strip mall at 4600 N. Magnolia that was slated for a five-story transit oriented development, and was given approval by the local block club, is not moving forward.

The owner has changed his mind about selling the strip mall to David Gassman, who was planning to develop it, and it will remain as is.

Word on the street is a veterinary clinic is looking at the former Starbucks space directly on the corner.

JASC Continues "Memories Of Now" Series With Seminar About WWII Japanese War Brides

On Tuesday, July 24th, the JASC Legacy Center will host the latest in its “Memories of Now” Seminar Series about WWII Japanese War Brides. It is co-sponsored by the Chicago Japanese American Historical Society (CJAHS) and JACL Chicago.

Admission is free, and parking is available in the JASC parking lot. JASC is located at 4427 North Clark, at Sunnyside.

The program will run 6:3pm to 8pm, and the featured speak will be Sonia Gomez, PhD, the granddaughter of a war bride.

During the Allied Occupation of Japan and the Korean War, approximately 13,000 Japanese women immigrated to the United States as brides to American servicemen. Although U.S. immigration law excluded the Japanese from entering the country, a series of Congressional acts eventually allowed Japanese women to enter the U.S. in much the same way as the so called “picture brides,” though this time they entered as wives to American men.

This presentation looks at the marriages of Japanese women and American servicemen, beginning with a discussion of the American Red Cross Bride Schools that sought to mold Japanese women into good American housewives. Second, it looks at Japanese war bride clubs in the United States, such as the Cosmo Club, which was founded in Chicago in 1952 under the auspices of the Chicago Resettlers Committee.

RSVPs are requested.  Please contact Ryan Yokota at: 773-275-0097, ext. 222 or ryokota@jasc-chicago.org.

Free Ice Cream At Buttercup Park On Monday

Vintage Garage Is Sunday: Vintage Clothing and Rockabilly Featured

Today is the third Sunday of the month, and that means it's time for Vintage Garage, the monthly all-vintage marketplace that takes place in the parking garage at 5051 North Broadway.

There are 75-100 vendors every month, and there's all kinds of vintage. This month the theme is Vintage Clothing and Rockabilly. Vendors are bringing their best clothing and 1950s rockabilly items, along with their regular selections.

In a very modern twist, Vintage Garage now accepts Litecoin, the cryptocurrency! Owner Melissa Sands said in a statement, "Litecoin is easy to accept, cheaper to process, and very secure, which were all important factors in deciding to integrate it. We like to say Litecoin allows us to Buy the Old With the New!"

Entrance to Vintage Garage is $5, and it runs 10am-5pm.

Next Vintage Garage is on August 19th, when the theme will be Vintage Weddings.

The Facebook Event Page is here.

Pet Food Donation Drive, September 15 At Camp Wiggles

Rainbow Shops And City Gold Close Up Shop at Wilson & Broadway

A couple weeks ago, we posted that Wilson Optical was moving out of the retail complex at Wilson and Broadway that is set to become a mixed-use TOD residential rental building.

Since then we've learned that City Gold and Jewelry (located inside City Sports) has also moved.  We are told that Joey Oh, the owner of City Gold, moved the business to Chinatown last month.  He hopes to return to Uptown when construction is finished. If you'd like to remain a customer, his contact information is above.

As of this past Tuesday, Rainbow Shops at 4607 Broadway closed (see photos above). It was the last remaining store on the North Side. For other locations, see Rainbow's website.

We have no information about whether or not this means that the new building at 4601 Broadway is closer to becoming a reality, and Family Dollar and City Sports are both still there and doing business. Stay tuned.

19th District National Night Out Block Party August 7