Apparently it has a long history as a furniture store if not always successfully. In 1920 the store was A.F.Lakoka In 1924 Kessler Brothers In 1936 Rusnak's Furniture In 1940 Ace Furniture Mart
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

There is a old abandoned spur line that runs along Bloomindale in Chicago that I understand they want to convert to a park. In the 60's, I still remember seeing freight cars on it. What railroad owned the line? Where did it connect to a mainline? I assume that it was built in a age where there were no interstate trucking, typically how much freight would be needed to justify the expe
Forum: General Discussion

The building is at 4306 North Ave. The earliest reference that I can find for the building was 1937. Over the years the newspaper has article of many events at the hall. The last reference I found was 1970. From the articles, I believe the building was owned by the Lions Club.
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

I ran across a old 1962 advertisement for Bowman's dairy with a promotions to get half price tickets for amusement parks. They identified the amusement park at Harlem and Irving as Kiddytown with another Kiddytown on 95th street. Did Kiddyland ever buy out Kiddytown or were they independent operations?
Forum: General Discussion

Does anybody remember the name of a record store on Milwaukee Ave across the street and down the block from the Portage Theater? I remember going there as late as the 80's. The store must have been there forever, since although not in use, you could see where they had the old fashioned booths built into the wall where at one time you were able to listen to a record before purchasing. During
Forum: General Discussion

1986 Berens commercial at fuzzymemories http://www.fuzzymemories.tv/fmbeta/index.php?c=225&n=25
Forum: General Discussion

I think it may have been called North Chicago
Forum: Questions and Answers (Q&A)

The baker at Vienna Pastry who was the son of the founders, was killed in a auto accident in May of 1999 in Lake County at the age of 31. I don't know if that is when the bakery closed. I think it was down the block from Chuck Schaden's Metro Golden Memories.
Forum: General Discussion

Does anybody remember a promotion that Jewel ran in the late 60's called Let's Go To The Races. I don't remember any of the details. I believe you received some form of game card when shopping and then had to watch a program on Saturday night on WGN where they showed replays of a horse race. I also remember in the early 60's they had a promotion where you would get a little plastic statue o
Forum: General Discussion

Found where someone posted a old Bert Weiman commercial from 1980 on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOX9jjr6z7E 1982 commercial http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GN32bNW-qR8&feature=related Schmerler Ford 1985 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAsBsDKh9NE Al Piemonte 1985 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ug4-vaCUws&feature=related Cellozi-Ettelson 1985 http:/
Forum: General Discussion

Unfortunatley what happenned at Biel's is what did in most of the old family run bakeries. The older generations were slaves to the business working six days a week and closing for two weeks a year. Like most of us, the younger generations who inherited these businesses want to work "normal" hours and have too many other things to do, and who can blame them. There was no more succ
Forum: General Discussion

Try going to Reuters on Grand and Harlem. The closest I remember to old fashioned neighborhood bakeries. A number of small bakeries that I have tried, recently have gone to freezing the cakes they sell. Not exactly what I go to a real bakery for.
Forum: General Discussion

In the 60's,we had very limited TV station choices. So I grew up watching WGN late at night and on the weekends and early on Sunday mornings. The main sponsors were automobile dealers like Berens and Bert Weiman. Many of these dealers are long gone, but others I remember were Kronon Mercury, Nikki Chevrolet, Keystone Chevrolet,Gateway. Unless I am mistaken, I don't recall seeing any TV comme
Forum: General Discussion

To bwalsh Have you posted any of your pictures to any websites?
Forum: General Discussion

I remember as a child going to Foremost with my family and picking out different flavors of quart bottles of soda. The bottles were placed in a wooden crate. I beleve the brand may have been Montreal. I seem to rember other brands like Monarch and Clover Club. There were many small brands that serviced the local taverns. Feel free to identify any brands you remember or details of the companie
Forum: General Discussion

I ran across a mention of a tour service that visits Catholic churches. Their website mentions 25 different churches. If you are interested in the architecture and the craftsmanship that went into building these churches, the website features some pictures of some of the churches they visit. http://www.catholicchurchtours.com/about/index.html I remember growing up that visiting different
Forum: General Discussion

I've identified the following Wieboldt's location form a old ad: State Street Jefferson Square Lincoln Mall Lakehurst Yorktown Ford City Randhurst Oak Park Evanston Harlem and Irving Lakeview Milwaukee Ave Lincoln Village Meadowdale
Forum: General Discussion

It is funny how corruption in government never changes, but the terminology to describe it does. In doing research in the Chicago Tribune, starting in 1892, the articles all mention the crooked politicians as Boodlers and the corruption and stealing as boodling.
Forum: General Discussion

The earliest article I could find about electric lighting in Chicago were articles in 1883. One mentions the Cook County Board talking about lighting the courthouse. The second article reports on how the new electric lights looked and were working in Lincoln Park. In a Dec 30,1884 article it is reported that the controller of the city advertised for proposals to light city hall,streets,parks,
Forum: General Discussion

There is a four story building at 2035-49 W Charleston in Bucktown that is now being used as condos. It is known as the Manchester building. What many people do not know, is that this building that seems out of place on a residential street was actually built as a hospital. According to the History of All Saints Polish National Cathedral, The building was built as a 500 bed hospital named St. A
Forum: General Discussion

Don't know what the full history of 4533 N Kedzie is, but in 1928 the building was used by a optician and a music teacher who I assume lived on the second floor.
Forum: General Discussion

Just some thoughts and questions concerning about our early infrastructure, Would appreciate any answers or books or resources that cover the topic. I grew up in a old building that had capped gas pipes protruding from the ceilings and walls that once were used for lighting. When did the city connvert from gas to electric? Was there a deadline when gas lighting was outlawed. Did the
Forum: General Discussion

Here is a link to a Chicago Tribune Nov 4,1976 half page advertisement writeup for Shanghai Lil's using Proquest through the Chicago Public Library database. Gives info on menu and show. The link only works if you have a CPL card. I've cited the date of the article for those of you who have access to Proquest through your own library. http://quicksearch.chipublib.org/cgi-bin/cpl-gr.pl?url=
Forum: General Discussion

In the 60s and earlier,Polonia Bakery in the 1900 block of Armitage. Flos's bakery on North Damen. Krusinski's at Armitage and Leavitt. Also I remember that many of the Sausage Shops on the NW side would get their rye bread from Imperial or Augusta bakeries. Imperial was at 1011 Damen and Augusta was on 901 N. Ashland. Does anybody know the history of Imperial and Augusta and when they ma
Forum: General Discussion

Link to Jazz Age with a writeup on Burlesque Theaters http://chicago.urban-history.org/ven/ths/burlesque.shtml
Forum: General Discussion

Jules 5&10 on Milwaukee Ave a couple blocks off of Armitage.
Forum: Forgotten Chicago Sightings

I seem to remember another couple of Italian restaurants that I think were both named Enzo's. One was on Western Ave. by Lane Tech and the other off of Harlem. I don't know if there was a connection between the two.
Forum: General Discussion

Now that it is the Christmas season, it reminded of fond memories as a child going to the Bargain Town on Milwaukee Ave and eyeing all the toys. Here is a link giving a history of the chain. http://pleasantfamilyshopping.blogspot.com/2008/06/bargain-town-is-now-toys-r-us.html
Forum: General Discussion

Found this list of locations from a 1970 ad 3149 Lincoln 4722 Broadway 2778 Milwaukee 3601 Grand 5630 Belmont 3939 Madison 1615 Chicago 333 State 9100 S Commercial 8101 S Cicero 3311 W 26th Street 443 E 34th Street 3161 S Ashland 110 W Lake Addison 2430 N Harlem Elmwood Park 616 Hollister Rockford 1084 Mt Prospect Rd Mount Prospect Larkin & Theodore Joliet 3057 W 159th
Forum: General Discussion

I almost forgot about the Goldblatts at Belmont and Central across the street from where the Will Rogers theater was located. There is a food store called A&G located in the building now.
Forum: General Discussion