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The Return of The Chicagoist Reader Meet-Up
We are growing here at Chicagoist, recently adding some new faces to the group so that we can provide you with plenty of mind candy. That's why we are sad to report that one of our satellite offices is closing down. The Chicago Journal, via Gapers Block, reports that Filter, in Wicker Park, is closing. Swank Frank, our favorite place to get a fried twinkie at 2 a.m. will also be closing.
Bank of America, who expects to be in by 2007 or 2008, will be taking over the spot. Our favorite part of the article is the first line, "Wicker Park hipsters, hold onto your berets, because you just got gentrified." Because, you aren't gentrified when you have two banks on the corner, you are gentrified when you've got three.
Bucktown-Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce executive director Paula Barrington said she hates to see Filter leave, but "we certainly welcome additional financial institutions into the community, and we encourage them to invest in the neighborhood." Because, what developers need are more sources for construction financing in the area. Pretty much every day we walk down the street and curse Wicker Park for their lack of options for free checking or home equity loans.
While we are extremely sad to see this happen, it was undeniably inevitable. Bob Berger, the building's owner, hasn't released any information regarding the move. We talked to people about this last night and the overall feeling was dismay, most people responding that they don't visit either of the spots, but as staples in the neighborhood and the bank moving isn't a positive thing for the neighborhood. We, on the other hand, will mourn those dirty old couches we spent many hours working on.
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Putting in another bank is BS.
The heart of this community is welcome to all and when Filter is gone, this area is going to look and feel like crap, not to mention it's loosing a pretty decent hot dog joint and it's soul.
:(
I'm pretty sure this is going to be another flamefest. I've been hanging out in Wicker Park since about 1991 (when I was living in Edgewater) and have lived in the area for about 5 years now and while I certainly don't mind some of the change and development, and have no notions that this place is anything but gentrified (so I have no interest whatsoever in that tired hipster/yuppie debate that occurs on this messageboard whenever the phrase 'wicker park' is written), but this is a BAD idea. Hell, I'd rather see some crappy chain bar there than a bank. What I like about that corner is the vibrancy that late-night establishments offer, the last thing that corner needs is something else that shutters its doors at 6pm.
...and another thing. What is up with all of these bank branching springing up like viruses everywhere? they annoy the hell out of me. Don't get me wrong, having a bank in the neighborhood is a good thing, but that is not the right place for one.
Maybe when Bank of America closes Friar's Grill and Wicker Dog will move back in and everything will have come full circle.
Damnit! I was hoping for a WaMu. Oh well, maybe they'll kick out Myopic and put one there.
This is so fucked up.
Didn't the New York Times write an article about this nonsense last year and isn't the City supposed to stop Chicago (somehow the hottest banking market in the country) from seeing all its retail corridors overrun with banks?
Still angry, addendum:
What is wrong with the alderman? What is wrong with the Mayor's Office?
There is no reason why so much space in our high density areas needs to be lowered in commercial density by banks. A bank might have five employees and 5-10 customers as a time. The two existing tenants would probably have about 12 employees and 25-80 people, together, at a given time.
This just makes Chicago more and more suburban in its previously urbanized areas.
Wicker Park: You used to be cool. What happened to you, man?
Not only that, but one could argue that Wicker Park was a local tourist attraction based on the locally-owned businesses that line(d) Milwaukee. It seems apparent that all local businessmen are under attack here, including in the past few years, Double Door, which almost became a J. Crew. No one from outside of the neighborhood is going to visit a Bank of America branch, and the local chamber should know that and should be supporting local businessmen, not lame banks. Not only that, but one could argue that Wicker Park gentrified long ago, when local coffee shops opened in the neighborhood, so don't blame gentrification, blame the businessman kicking them out. Wicker Park's rep brought him business, now less foot traffic without local businesses should be blamed squarely on his corporate greed. Shame! I suggest that the local community fight for local businesses that attracted you to this neighborhood to begin with.
I'm all for fighting this. Where should we begin? I definitely think that another bank would begin spelling the death toll for that corner as what put wicker park on the map to begin with is what Brendan said above.
My question is though, is this something that can really be fought? If so, then sign me up. Because I really do like this neighborhood and want to keep it a vibrant interesting part of town that people like to visit and hang out in. Another bank branch does nothing toward keeping it that way. Why does the Chamber of Commerce allow our retail corridors to be overrun with these things? One of these times I'm afraid I'll walk down Milwaukee Ave or Division street and see nothing but bank branch after bank branch, and nobody about.
Wicker Park stopped being cool when homes where going for over $300k.
So about 1998.
Yes, ah, it's um the Chicago Journal, not Chicago Reporter. Er. And for anyone wanting to contact Manny Flores, here:
Contact Us
1st Ward Service Office
2058 North Western Avenue
Chicago, Illinois 60647
phone: (773) 278-0101
fax: (773) 278-2541
City Hall Office
121 North LaSalle Street
Chicago, Illinois 60602
phone: (312) 744-3063
**City Hall Office Hours By Appointment Only
1st Ward Office Hours
Monday: 9 am to 8 pm
Monday, Ward Night: 5 pm to 8 pm
Tuesday-Friday: 9 am to 6 pm
The 1st Ward holds Ward Night every Monday from 5 pm to 8 pm. Ward Night is a time when constituents can meet with Alderman Flores to discuss issues that are important to our communities. He meets with individuals on a first serve basis.
Flood his office with snarky comments.
cta -- cool has nothing to do with anything here. And I knew that as sure as flies flock to sh*t, sure enough someone would come along as say exactly what you did. That doesn't change or negate for one moment the concerns of the people who live in the neighborhood who still like it whether or not it is 'cool', whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. I've been hanging out in Wicker Park since 1991 and have watched it change in many ways in the past 16 years. I've lived now around here for 5 years now (no I did not move from Lincoln Park, but Albany Park) and I care about the place and know that there is a difference between the sort of gentrification that puts a Urban Outfitters on Milwaukee or overpriced boutiques on Division that I can't afford to shop in and a simply REALLY bad idea. The Bank of America situation is a REALLY bad idea.
I can't believe people still care about Wicker Park being gentrified. I got over it years ago. At least my friends are getting literally shot when they leave my front door by a drive-by shooting or getting raped walking the same route home I did. Boo fucking hoo.
Kali - This isn't about gentrification in my opinion, I'm glad people aren't getting shot at any more either. I remember when it was pretty shady around these parts 15+ years ago, I'm in no hurry to revisit the era when my friend held up his telephone so that I could hear the gunfire on his street (of course at that time I lived in a part of Roger's Park where I could do the same thing and I hated that too), so I don't miss those days AT ALL. My concern is more of a larger concern about what all these bank branches are doing to retail corridors, I think they are killing streetscapes and need to be stopped.
how exactly is it killing a retail corridor?
just curious
cta-It's killing a retail corridor for exactly the reason that Tony C said. It closes down a business that draws people into the neighborhood and replaces it with a business that doesn't.
I read the Chicago Journal pretty frequently, not sure how I wrote Chicago Reporter. Fixed!
So maybe when Bank of America opens, all of Filter's current clientele should hang around the lobby, drinking coffee and looking for the best wireless signal. Make it into a media event/performance art/protest.
Despite Filter's arguably pretentious hipster clientel, it was still a local business, as was Swank Franks, and that is why the story is disturbing. I don't see this neccessarily as much as a gentrification issue as it is a culturally idiotic one. Regardless of anyone's opinion of Wicker Park's culture, those establishments certainly added a great deal to that culture. At least Filter wasn't a Starbucks and at least Swank Franks wasn't a subway. I'm sure there is more to come out about this story in the future. Something about Bob Berger makes me curious.
I'm also concerned about the fact that BOA is replacing a business that used to draw people to the 'hood...but if its any replacement, I hear Filter is going to move down Milwaukee into the old Big Horse space?
And I'm not sure if this is a fair trade, but I'm guessing some of the retail corridor gets preserved when Marc by Marc Jacobs, Levi's Jeans, and BCBG Max Azria move onto Milwaukee and Damen. For better or worse, this is what WP is becoming...
i'm sorry, i must have missed something. did the landlord of filter's building sign something that said he could not lease out his space to the highest bidder?
If it wasn't for Filter, I probably wouldn't have graduated college. The bottomless coffee and comfy couches kept me a diligent student.
Do something!! Lets stop it! Write to aldermen and Daley and NBC and lets do something!!
Blame Bob Berger. He owns the Flat Iron and has been mismanaging most of that space since the dawn of time. He is known for jacking rent up over night to force businesses out of there.
Again, why is it wrong for the landlord to charge a market rent? Is there something when he bought the property that says he can't charge market rent? I must be confused.
Besides pleading with Bob Berger, Ald. Manny Flores may have some control over the situation -- under the area's Pedestrian Street zoning, new banks within a block of an existing bank have to apply for special use permits. The special use permit process killed a proposal for a drive-thru McDonald's at North and Bosworth a few years ago.
Sadly, successful retail intersections will attract banks, who can afford higher rents than anyone else while feeding off of, rather than adding to, the foot traffic. The resulting fall-off in foot traffic can deaden the intersection: Lincoln-Belmont-Ashland and Division-Ashland-Milwaukee are both good examples of intersections where big banks brought down the successful retail areas that attracted them.
cta- you are not wrong, you are just a realist, as many of us are idealists. In an ideal situation, which this is not, the owner of two of Chicago's most renoun architectual buildings who promotes himself as someone being for the 'arts' is moving out two culturaly significant businesses for a money grubing bank. He is a insincere and deceptive businessman, as many of them are, and he is ruining what was left of a neighborhood with something it doesn't need. His actions are not benefiting the neighborhood, that is why this is bad. No, he is not doing anything legaly wrong or violating a contract, he is doing something morally wrong. Look on Chicago Public Radio's website for an interview Steve Edwards did with Berger in 2003 or so, when he was planning his who video camera venture in the Flatiron. In that interview you can hear Berger's incompetency. Also, for you coffee lovers, it has come to my attention that the one time sister shop of Filter, Gourmand, is closing down as well. That is turning into a Manderin restaurant, from what I hear from a former employee.
look, i'm sorry, but neighborhoods change. get over it. lincoln park and lakeview use to be just as gritty as wicker park was. problem is, it was well before we were a stain in our parents panties and boxers.
shit, where are the people complaining that a sleezy businessman can't catch a peep show on state street?
by the way, when was the lincoln-belmont-ashland corridor friendly to foot traffic? have you ever *tried* to get across it? it's a montrosity of an intersection and i absolutely cannot imagine strolling around there doing business.
and division-ashland-milwaukee is a much smaller intersection, but i have never seen any "foot traffic" type of businesses around there. (and this is well before the banks moved in)
Swank Frank and Filter are "culturally significant"? I think that's a stretch, though yes they're absolutely more significant than a McBank (not a big achievement). "Culturally idiotic" is definitely more reasonable :-) I mean how long has Filter been there - four years?
Which begs the question: If allowing Bank of America to move in is "not benefiting the neighborhood" and "morally wrong", then, what is the [morally] right course of action which could preserve whatever is left of Wicker Park's character, while at the same time presenting an excellent (or at least fair) business opportunity for Berger?
It's a fine line Berger has to walk, and obviously he isn't walking it too well - or is he? Personally, I don't think I'd ever be able to separate the concepts of "moral responsibility" and "business" from each other... but then again I think that's why I'd probably make a crappy businessman. But Swank Frank are Filter NOT original or significant to the Wicker Park neighborhood. Don't forget they are Berger's tenants as well - tenants who helped define Wicker Park as "cool", contributed to its recent "Indie City" profiling in the New York Times, and by extension helped continue driving up real estate prices and rents...
I guess all I'm saying is that I'm not surprised that Berger is jumping on this Culturally Idiotic Neighborhood Bank Bandwagon, but I'm not going to lament the loss of a coffee shop and hot dog stand either. There are still plenty of great businesses in Wicker Park deserving our hard-earned dollars, and we should do our best to support those businesses. And a call to Manny Flores wouldn't hurt either :-)
Might as well weigh in on this topic. Filter used to be a diner called the Friar's grill. It was a not bad laid back place to have a BLT or a patty melt. When I interviewed a waitress there for a story I was doing (this was back in '93 or '94) she talked about how the neighborhood had been full of junkies and that the 'new' people were improving the area. The was a lead article in the Reader (remember the Reader?) at the time about this issue called Gentrification in Wicker Park which was all about local businesses being uprooted by chains, and folks from the A zone messing with the new places. I believe the owner of Urbis Orbis (once real world house, now Cheetah) was widely quoted. Anyway, I was a little wary when Filter eventually moved in but it turned out to be quite a nice joint. Ultimately, the BOA is a bummer. Banks are now tending to put up branches in high visibility areas, not to directly increase profitability but as a means of advertising. (Most banking is conducted electronically nowadays.)Anyway, it's an age old story, though the BOA is really adding insult to injury in my opinion.
cta -- this has nothing to do with 'gritty' or 'cool' (of which Wicker Park is neither, but it is my neighborhood regardless, and like any neighborhood residents, I have strong opinions about what goes on around here). My complaint is very simple. I do not like the trend of bank branches taking over, I do not care what neighborhood is in question here. When Urban Outfitters and American Apparel moved into Wicker Park, I didn't really care that much, sure I lamented the increasing homogenization, blah blah blah (you know the drill), but it didn't warrant much in the way of hand wringing on my part.
My problem is simple, my problem is with bank branches. If it were a GAP, McDonalds, a chain bar, or another Starbucks going into that corner, I'd be annoyed, but not to the point that I am about this Bank of America situation. At least those other joints wouldn't be detracting for the foot traffic of that corner, and wouldn't be shuttering their doors at 6pm.
I don't know what is so hard to understand about that.
For what it's worth, the lamenting of bank branches taking over retail space is not limited to Wicker Park, or even the city for that matter -- many suburbs are also dealing with the issue. The main problem with the saturation of bank branches is an economic one -- they don't generate sales tax revenue.
Other than the economic argument, the rest of it is quite cute. I don't recall large protests about the $200 jeans store replacing the family owned taqueria.
cta both is gritty and cool
"cta," I was referring to the heyday of the Milwaukee/Division and Lincoln/Belmont intersections, which was the mid-20th century -- before even your namesake existed.
pc
OK, I'm not 80 years old so I don't know what Lincoln/Belmont was like in 1950 but I can go back to at least 1990 and it didn't seem like banks were really the problem there in terms of foot traffic... I will concede that I regret a bank replacing Muskie's at Belmont/Sheffield (mmmm, chili cheese fries).
its a cycle. its nothing to get worked up about. why don't we focus on the schools instead. thats worth getting excited about. with more people earning a better living through a better education, there will be more neighborhoods that attract businesses.
Your right, schools are more important, but this story is deffinitely something to get worked up about. Unfortunately, however, "schools" is a much broader topic than the displacement of two local businesses. And other places are in much more need of better schools than Wicker Park.
Again, it's not so much about gentrification as it is about the type of business. In a perfect world, I'd love to see Filter and Swank Franks stay. While I don't relish the fact that Wicker Park is turning into the Mag Mile, I'd still rather see a $200 jeans store or chain retailer in that space than a bank. A retailer, be they local or a chain brings in foot traffic and sales tax revenue, which a bank cannot. You may complain about the Urban Outfitters or whatever, but a bustling and brisk retail corridor will bring foot traffic and $$.
stealing an idea from Austin, TX, I think the remaining Wicker Park holdouts need to start a "Keep Wicker Weird" campaign. Yes, the gentrification was already in full swing 5+ years ago, but the attraction of the neighborhood is STILL the unique local shops. I don't think it should be discounted just yet as a lost cause on par with Lincoln Park. Filter occupied one of the most amazing building spaces for a lounge or coffee house anywhere(how can you beat giant store front windows on each side of the room facing two different streets!!), so it will be a real shame to lose that to cubicle space and a teller counter.
I haven't seen it mentioned yet, but did it occur to anyone Filter is closing of its own volition? And that Berger (much as I personally despise that man for my own reasons) might just be taking advantage of the opening to bring someone into the retail space willing to pay more money and lock into a longer lease?
As for Swank Frank, they might be getting pushed out or they might just be closing too ... it's hard to say since their owners won't comment on the situation at all.
Support your local merchant. Eat, drink and shop as much as you can. If not, they will give way to chains, banks and gasp your local bike store may start selling baby carriages.
does filter still allow smoking in their shop? that is one reason i quit going there (and i'm avoiding bars as well, but that is besides the point). it's definately nice place, i will give you that, but places that allowing smoking is slowing moving off my list of places to do business.
does filter still allow smoking in their shop? that is one reason i quit going there (and i'm avoiding bars as well, but that is besides the point). it's definately nice place, i will give you that, but places that allowing smoking is slowing moving off my list of places to do business.
No smoking at Filter, I believe since January of '06. (The couches, however, still have the faint smell if you sit down abruptly.)
Seems that Wicker needs some of the energy that's brewed in Andersonville around local businesses and the economic impact they have on a neighborhood.
Well, some folks are talking about supporting local businesses, which is terrific, but coffeehouses are notorious for not making money since the majority of folks taking up space for three to four hours do so while only buying one or two cups of coffee. It's kind of hard for a business to sustain themselves with that clientèle.
That's one reason I always thought it was smart that Atomix was inviting, but not exactly outfitted with the plushest of furniture offerings ...
Ah, Swank Frank is positively getting pushed out. Would the owner have just spent thousands of dollars remodeling the place if he were planning on leaving?
I'm just glad there will be an ATM on the six corners... I can't find one anywhere.
Vitt and Brendan McKenna make a fine point that the problem here is not gentrification - clearly, the neighborhood is already "gentrified" - but the takeover of a vibrant urban neighborhood by businesses that add little to its street life. And they are quite right to warn of the impact this will have on other businesses, in addition to depriving hipsters of a favorite hang out.
Perhaps we need not look to Belmont/Lincoln for an indication of what is to come, but simply across the Damen/Milwaukee intersection. The northwest corner of Damen/Milwaukee/North is occupied only by a Sprint retail outlet and another bank, and unsurprisingly, it is virtually deserted. Businesses that would almost certainly have flourished were they located half a block south on the same street have failed (I'm thinking of the fine Thai restaurant that closed a couple years ago, among others).
So yea. I agree that this is a BAD idea all around. The question is what to do about it. What kind of currently availiable zoning changes, if any, would work to maintain the district's vibrancy? Or are we left to rely on opportunist building owners who value short term profits at the expense of long term community (including business) interests?
From the Chicago Business News:
A study commissioned by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce concludes that locally owned retailers have a more positive impact on the Chicago economy than do national chain stores.
The chamber is hoping the study will convince city leaders to consider policy changes that could forestall an influx of chains the group says would imperil the rapidly gentrifying North Side neighborhood.
The research, released Wednesday by community-focused economic development consultancy Civic Economics, looked at the financials of 10 independent shops in Andersonville and compared them with 10 national chains including Borders, Olive Garden and Pearle Vision. It found that every $100 in sales at the independent stores generated $73 that stayed in the local economy. The same amount of sales at a chain store provided $43 in local economic impact on average nationally.
Ellen Shepard, executive director of the chamber, says she knows local residents are emotionally attached to the independent businesses in Andersonville and believe they should be preserved. ““We didn’’t know what the difference would be economically,”” she adds.
The chamber hopes city planners will consider measures like a recently passed ordinance in San Francisco that gives neighborhood groups say over how many chains to allow into their areas.
““We are looking into that,”” says a spokesman for the city’’s Department of Planning. ““It may be hard to defend, singling out different types of business with everything being equal other than where their corporate headquarters are located.””
why is no one bitching about Midwest Bank and Trust at the same intersection?????? they take up the entire corner, 1/2 block each way.
Maybe some of you guys could get together and protest and throw paint on the door of BOA when it opens - just like you did with the Real World house. that really worked well.
There are more, and will continue to be more, destinations - whether shopping or eating/drinking - in Wicker Park than ever before. A bank taking a prime spot is just a fact of life.
why is no one bitching about Midwest Bank and Trust at the same intersection?????? they take up the entire corner, 1/2 block each way.
Maybe some of you guys could get together and protest and throw paint on the door of BOA when it opens - just like you did with the Real World house. that really worked well.
There are more, and will continue to be more, destinations - whether shopping or eating/drinking - in Wicker Park than ever before. A bank taking a prime spot is just a fact of life.
why is no one bitching about Midwest Bank and Trust at the same intersection?????? they take up the entire corner, 1/2 block each way.
Maybe some of you guys could get together and protest and throw paint on the door of BOA when it opens - just like you did with the Real World house. that really worked well.
There are more, and will continue to be more, destinations - whether shopping or eating/drinking - in Wicker Park than ever before. A bank taking a prime spot is just a fact of life.
why is no one bitching about Midwest Bank and Trust at the same intersection?????? they take up the entire corner, 1/2 block each way.
Maybe some of you guys could get together and protest and throw paint on the door of BOA when it opens - just like you did with the Real World house. that really worked well.
There are more, and will continue to be more, destinations - whether shopping or eating/drinking - in Wicker Park than ever before. A bank taking a prime spot is just a fact of life.
No one is bitching about those banks because...they're already there. I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that a bank in the heart of that intersection is *most likely* not going to do anything postive for businesses or property value in the area. Sure, the owner of flat iron is allowed to do whatever he wants but realistically speaking, his choices will have effects on other property and business owners in the area as well as a long term impact on his own property values. I live and own around there and personally I'd prefer to see something other than another bank go in. I called the Aldermans office and made my opinion known.
No one is bitching about those banks because...they're already there. I don't think it takes a genius to figure out that a bank in the heart of that intersection is *most likely* not going to do anything postive for businesses or property value in the area. Sure, the owner of flat iron is allowed to do whatever he wants but realistically speaking, his choices will have effects on other property and business owners in the area as well as a long term impact on his own property values. I live and own around there and personally I'd prefer to see something other than another bank go in. I called the Aldermans office and made my opinion known.
Let's face they don't want the bank because they don't have any money to put in the bank. I am sure Swank Franks got a good buy out on their lease and also Filter. But in the end this is all business folks. If you want to control the bank not going there go and buy the damn building, pay property tax and upkeep and then you can do what you want with it.
Let's face they don't want the bank because they don't have any money to put in the bank. I am sure Swank Franks got a good buy out on their lease and also Filter. But in the end this is all business folks. If you want to control the bank not going there go and buy the damn building, pay property tax and upkeep and then you can do what you want with it.
And like it's the Alderman's business what a private business owner decides to do without asking for a zoning change. You people are idiots.
J, your issue is property value??? BOA moving in and paying higher rent will drive up Mr Berger's property value, and with it - assuming you actually do live nearby - your own. If your issue is the value of your home, then BOA moving in and bidding up adjacent leases is the best thing to happen to you this year.
I too, own and live in the area - same block, same side of street. I hate to see BOA taking that spot - fucking sucks - but bitching about it is a waste of time, and trying to do something about it is a waste of effort which would, at best, delay the inevitable for a short while.
A little grass-roots activist campaign to "save our hood" vs real estate money? lol.
If the community wants to oppose this the best place to start may be trying to get the flat iron building inspected. Rumor has it that the city inspectors office actively overlooks any code violations in there.
BettyDavis, you're right. This former tenant can definitely vouch that the Flat Iron Building is OVERRUN with building code violations. Good luck, Bank of America!
another bank on that corner is absolutely cr@p - and nothing the 'hood needs. bring on the building inspectors.
I am sure BofA will bring the building up to code. I am sure that is why the owner needs a solid tenant to fix the building up.
My issue is commerce and the value that comes from it. Like other people already mentioned, people come to that area not to use a bank but to shop/dine/drink. Complaining about changes to the character is a waste of time and energy. I'm not opposed to BoA and as a matter of fact, its my bank and I've been waiting for them to open one in the area since I moved there. I'd prefer it though if it wasn't right on that corner. I wouldn't begrudge the owner of flat iron higher rent just like I don't hold it against the guy who owns the building double door is in. At the end of it though these are businesses who are subject to the city council and who are in turn subject to us, the people who live there. I'm not about to picket in the street over this but I have no problem telling the Alderman my piece. BoA like most national chains could afford to outbid anyones lease. They still are subject to laws and ordinances though.
I think the owner has been struggling with that building for a while though. I'm sure to some extent he's subsidizing the artist studios there which would explain why it's in such a ratty condition. Whenever he does finally get rid of the whole thing I'm sure there will be a real uproar.
This Bank of America branch is another wonderful example of people seeing a dirty street corner and doing what they can to clean it up. When I'm slummin' it in the Wicker Park I get frustrated with the lack of banking options. This new Bank of America is a great step in making sure we are taken care of when slummin', as well as adding some bright color to an otherwise dreary intersection.
The hipster left wingers should welcome Bank of America with open arms, they give illegal immigrants credit cards!
But in all seriousness, while I can get behind the statements that it's eliminating character, etc.,some of these arguments are spurious at best. Nobody from outside the neighborhood (unless you consider Bucktown outside) is coming there for coffee and hot dogs.
wicker park must be full of rich people now.. so many banks!
Ah yes, THAT corner, let's go back in time shall we?...in 1987, sooo crappy...in 1976, death of a real estate market of any kind...in 1966, getting a little seedy...in 1956, a little tattered around the edges, but ok...1946, swank!
Should we open up a hipster preserve perhaps?
Prescott, I come to filter to have business meetings and sometime go for homework, and I don't live in the area.
So... I'd stop generalizing.
HA HA HA HA HA!
Any journalist that thinks gentrification is still an issue in Wicker Park, please quit posting articles and start posting your resume online.
I've lived there for 17 years. It's DONE. It was done by 1995.
It's the same old urban story: Struggling artists live wherever the threshold of cost and safety are tolerable. Yuppies move in as the 'artsy scene' is accessible and danger subsides.
Lincoln Park had it's turn. Old Town had it's turn. Wicker Park/Ukranian Village/Logan Square has had it's turn, and the story continues...
Keep an eye on Bridgeport, Uptown, Austin and places northwest of Logan Square if you want to keep up with gentrification. Good lord.
Get over it.
Well I can't wait until the whole city looks like Schaumberg. I want more McDonalds, Wendy's and few Culvers would be nice.
Knock down some of those old junk buildings and put up strip centers.
Anyone who is seriously going to complain about "lack of banking options" in wicker park maybe hasn't been there in about 5 years. There are already 3 different banks w/in spitting distance of that corner. Not to mention there is an ATM in every restaurant/bar/Food Mart along that strip. I wouldn't be complaining about Filter or Swank Frank going out of business if something of CHARACTER was going in there. It is a complete waste of a beautiful space (as someone mentioned earlier)to turn Filter into a bank.
Regarding anyone who believes Berger is subsidizing the artists who rent from him think again. Think more like extortion. Please, he is a multi-millionaire with a mansion in the suburbs (I know, he invited me to his hot tub once...shudder.) He's just a misguided douche. Does anyone else remember when he tried to capitalize on all of the artists in the building by installing cameras in all of the studios and hallways? He was going to broadcast 24/7 onto a giant screen mounted onto the side of the building in hopes of reality show deal.
Can I have some bank with my latte? Or no wait, I believe Filter added on extra fees with purchases although the optional tip here and there. On any account, I am sad to hear that Filter is leaving; I always look forward to going there every time I am in the neighborhood. But since all the fuss is over making sure all our options are covered, where the hell is Mid America Bank then? I only have three choices in my area, all of which I have to drive because they are not in walking distance and neither of them are close to the train or a simple bus route. But never the less, you don't see me complaining and I would rather keep my favorite cafe` over a freakin bank any day.
SomeGuy -- half the commenters on here are generalizing and making assumptions. Why should I be the only one to stop?
This sucks, plain and simple. I'm all for cleaning up the city, etc, but not if the price to pay is stripping a neighborhood of its personality (which, in this case was stripped years ago, but still fights to be there), but also gets rid of the establishments which make it unique and give it the neighborhood-y feel that sets Chicago apart from other lame ass cities.
Sad, even though I know that other like-minded people will just push further out from the city to find our own space. Unfortunately, it's only a matter of time before this same thing happens there too.
Filter probably will move down the street to Ashland and Division.
And on a side-note, I will probably move as well. All those wicker park high heels and collars could take an eye out. It's too dangerous to walk by the velvet rope lines on Milwaukee.
What are the roles of the chamber of commerce and the alderman, regarding two issues:
- sale of a historic building
- change from a restaurant/cafe to a bank
Don't these have to get some type of approval? What the are regulations that are implicated by these transactions?
Who the hell uses Mid-America Bank anyway?
Bring back Mad Bar on that corner. I miss it. That was my fav place in the area before they replaced it with another sportsbar. Everyone was welcome to come in & get down... no dress code, no VIP list. Solid.
While were at it, close the new, lame Evil Olive on Division/Ashland and reopen Shelter.
- livin' in the past
I'm still loyal to Citi bank... especially after I signed up for an account at an Ice Cream truck this summer! The only requirement was that I signed up for something called Obopay. I haven't used it yet, but it's free and lets you send money easier that Western Union (which my son and daughter in college make me use at least twice a semester.) I'm not letting them know I have access to something like this...