Myrna Skilling
Office
312-850-3717
Fax
312-850-3718
Toll Free
866-838-8029
E-Mail
Meet Myrna
Chris Gaggero
Office:312-506-0207
Cell:773-715-1479
Fax:866-482-9792
E-Mail
Meet Chris
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Wicker Park
In Wicker Park, art and commerce peaceably
co-exist, with the
occasional hiss or growl. Its streets have become the literal fine lines between kitsch
and art; dives and faux dives; cheap and elite eats, resale and trendy new.
Despite its gentrifying residential area and the encroachment of
high-ticket venues, there is an attempt to maintain the eclectic, artistic
and often downright oddball environment. The result is a mix of cool,
wannabe cool and couldn't-care-less-about-cool (hence, really cool) stops. Select from a
variety of hipper-than-thou bars and restaurants, or hunt out the cheap eats and worthy
destinations (like the Double Door, a one-time Rolling Stones pit stop).
The intersection of Damen, Milwaukee and North avenues ("ground zero") is where
much of the commercial boom has resonated. A trip down Milwaukee these days is like
running past one of those rotating Hanna Barbera cartoon backgrounds
(rock-cactus-rock-cactus-rock), only with chi-chi restaurants alternating with fearfully
hip boutiques.
Most of the gallery action (like Ten In One Gallery on Damen and Beret International on
Milwaukee) is here, anchored by the Around the Coyote art show each September. But there's
more to Wicker Park these days. Other eclectic business strips run along the border or cut
a swath through residential sections. Division Street now boasts the likes of Liquid
Kitty. If you're too unhip for that room, there's the far more comfy Gold Star Bar
(fighting the faux dive label ever since Joan Cusack started hanging out there). Browsing
fun includes Myopic Books, and Specimen Products, a guitar store next door.
Remnants of the old neighborhood can be found on the border streets:
Ashland Avenue, Western Avenue and Division Street. There's some
down-and-dirty value shopping, along with a few boutiques. Results may vary hip, kitsch,
lame or geek chic but chances are it'll be just the thing for walking the line in Wicker
Park.
@ properties
212 E Ohio St, Chicago, IL 60611 |
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