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N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 20, 2011 06:23PM
Hi again,
Seems like my former question requires a bit more investigation, so I'm posting another one.
I'm curious what people remember of N Halsted (between North Ave and Fullerton) in the 80's - restaurants, bars, photos, etc.? Was the meat market still there (and I don't mean Tilli's!)? What else was around besides Manhole?
All memories and stories are appreciated.
Thanks!
Seems like my former question requires a bit more investigation, so I'm posting another one.
I'm curious what people remember of N Halsted (between North Ave and Fullerton) in the 80's - restaurants, bars, photos, etc.? Was the meat market still there (and I don't mean Tilli's!)? What else was around besides Manhole?
All memories and stories are appreciated.
Thanks!
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
Chipast
()
Date: February 20, 2011 07:10PM
There was a hot dog stand on the SW corner of Halsted & Dickens called Christ's (A Greek male name, Not the religious figure). Armitage Super Cleaners-Which was an ordinary looking wooden 2-flat corner store-But was out-of-the-ordinary for it's "Elvis Shrine". A Rexall Drug Store at the NE corner of Halsted & Webster. Gepperth's Meat Market was always there.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 20, 2011 08:15PM
Thanks, chipast. That's funny about the Elvis shrine. If you remember anything else in the general area or have photos, please post!
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 22, 2011 03:55AM
there was Nick's on the SE corner of Halsted and Armitage...one of the best bars in the city...the Candy Store and Beaumont's down the street...Otto's, with a stuffed gorilla near the entrance (now Cafe Ba Ba re ba).
An old auto supply near the NE corner of Halsted and Webster was turned into a very swank Italian eatery, "Carluccci's" that never made it.
Halsted between North and Armitage was no man's land until maybe the mid 80's..King Crab at 1800 N Halsted was the only establishment for quite a while on that particular stretch.
An old auto supply near the NE corner of Halsted and Webster was turned into a very swank Italian eatery, "Carluccci's" that never made it.
Halsted between North and Armitage was no man's land until maybe the mid 80's..King Crab at 1800 N Halsted was the only establishment for quite a while on that particular stretch.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
Richard Stachowski
()
Date: February 22, 2011 11:10PM
[b]It looks like the cable plant when I worked thewre in 1955.[/b]
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
WayOutWardell
()
Date: February 23, 2011 12:38AM
Yondorf Hall on the corner of Halsted/North was creepy when it was Sam's Liquors and all but left for dead.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
FranCarmen
()
Date: February 23, 2011 01:43AM
There was a seafood joint, closer to the Glascott's end of the block that had an upper storey with a ship's hull on the exterior, pointing outwards towards Halsted. Can't recall the name, but it was quite good and the owner was a wellknown woman who had other businesses. It was all weathered wood inside, brown paper used for table coverings.
There were a number of women's clothing stores, one of a kind type places, not chain stores. One women's clothing store was located in the former police station that became the Gap store. There was artist-made jewelery/antique place. In 1982-83 there were a group of merchants who held Midnight Madness events occasionally and all the stores stayed open until midnight -- from Halsted and Webster to Armitage and Armitage about two blocks west. I think the ads for the event always ran in the reader, so they might be searchable.
Where Charlie Trotter's is now were a couple of my favorite stores, not that I ever bought anything but they were fun to browse. One was just a button store! Nothing but unusual buttons. Otto's was just amazing, one of the most creative spaces. It had a New Orleans menu, and the food was always great. There was always art by local artists, some of whom I knew very well at the time.
In the late 1980s a children's toy store opened, Saturday's Child, I think was the name. As the 80s progressed the stores became more and more high-end and I think the Gap was the first chain, but I could be wrong about that. There's probably other places that will come to mind later. There was something enchanting about the strip before it became very profitable, but there was this idea that it was dangerous to go south of Armitage at night, and later the boundary line became North.
http://francesarcher.com
There were a number of women's clothing stores, one of a kind type places, not chain stores. One women's clothing store was located in the former police station that became the Gap store. There was artist-made jewelery/antique place. In 1982-83 there were a group of merchants who held Midnight Madness events occasionally and all the stores stayed open until midnight -- from Halsted and Webster to Armitage and Armitage about two blocks west. I think the ads for the event always ran in the reader, so they might be searchable.
Where Charlie Trotter's is now were a couple of my favorite stores, not that I ever bought anything but they were fun to browse. One was just a button store! Nothing but unusual buttons. Otto's was just amazing, one of the most creative spaces. It had a New Orleans menu, and the food was always great. There was always art by local artists, some of whom I knew very well at the time.
In the late 1980s a children's toy store opened, Saturday's Child, I think was the name. As the 80s progressed the stores became more and more high-end and I think the Gap was the first chain, but I could be wrong about that. There's probably other places that will come to mind later. There was something enchanting about the strip before it became very profitable, but there was this idea that it was dangerous to go south of Armitage at night, and later the boundary line became North.
http://francesarcher.com
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
captain54
()
Date: February 24, 2011 01:11AM
Prior to the 80's the area was heavily Puerto Rican...gentrification in the late 70's pushed the commmunity further west toward Humboldt Park..
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5473031388/" title="Armitage and Kenmore - Lincoln Park - 1971 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5473031388_885221b8d4_b.jpg" width="723" height="529" alt="Armitage and Kenmore - Lincoln Park - 1971" /></a>
I believe this location is the NE corner of Armitage and Fremont
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5472437175/" title="Armitage and Fremont - Lincoln Park - 1970 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5472437175_518ced4e42_z.jpg" width="581" height="590" alt="Armitage and Fremont - Lincoln Park - 1970" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5472435267/" title="Armitage - Lincoln Park - 1970 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5472435267_739a2151cd_z.jpg" width="578" height="621" alt="Armitage - Lincoln Park - 1970" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5473031388/" title="Armitage and Kenmore - Lincoln Park - 1971 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5017/5473031388_885221b8d4_b.jpg" width="723" height="529" alt="Armitage and Kenmore - Lincoln Park - 1971" /></a>
I believe this location is the NE corner of Armitage and Fremont
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5472437175/" title="Armitage and Fremont - Lincoln Park - 1970 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5012/5472437175_518ced4e42_z.jpg" width="581" height="590" alt="Armitage and Fremont - Lincoln Park - 1970" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/5472435267/" title="Armitage - Lincoln Park - 1970 by captain54_01, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5052/5472435267_739a2151cd_z.jpg" width="578" height="621" alt="Armitage - Lincoln Park - 1970" /></a>
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
tseals
()
Date: February 24, 2011 02:37PM
Don't forget the Tap Root on Willow.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
FranCarmen
()
Date: February 24, 2011 02:59PM
In the 1060s, there was a bar/club on Armitage, Lincoln and Sedgwick called La Hacienda del Sol -- that's how far east the Latino community covered Lincoln Park. Of course, Waller High was also predominantly Latino, but I think we've discussed that in a previous topic.
http://francesarcher.com
http://francesarcher.com
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
daveg
()
Date: February 24, 2011 04:51PM
tseals Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't forget the Tap Root on Willow.
If it's the same place....
I remember the "Save the Tap Root Pub" bumper stickers campaign. Didn't work.
-------------------------------------------------------
> Don't forget the Tap Root on Willow.
If it's the same place....
I remember the "Save the Tap Root Pub" bumper stickers campaign. Didn't work.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
FranCarmen
()
Date: February 24, 2011 06:38PM
Yes, the Tap Root Pub stickers were everywhere.
http://francesarcher.com
http://francesarcher.com
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 25, 2011 02:13AM
And I thought I was the only one who liked to talk about what used to be at "X address!" What a great board. This is going to be bad for my marriage, I can tell!
Captain54 - Good ole King Crab! I took my Italian in-laws to that place and they about had a heart attack, they loved it so much! I love the 70's pics, thanks!
WayOutWardell - Did Sam's occupy just the lower floor? When did Sam's close, do you know? I'm going to read more about Yondorf Hall. I didn't know the history!
Richard - Which cable plant?
FranCarmen - Oh wow. The atmosphere during the early 80's sounds much better! I can barely stand to walk down Armitage after 7pm now! "Like, Like, totally, like..." Otto's sounds like a great place. Too many Italian places now and they are mediocre if that. Please post any photos if you run across any from back in the day! The button store sounds really interesting!
DaveG and FranCarmen - I was reading about the Tap Root Pub and it looks like it moved a few times. Here's an [url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-03-25/news/9001240976_1_restaurant-and-tavern-root-mr-budd]article[/url]. Now I'm going to have to walk by there and see the site. I think there's a house there (at least that's what Google street level shows).
If you think of any more, please share. I love this stuff!
Captain54 - Good ole King Crab! I took my Italian in-laws to that place and they about had a heart attack, they loved it so much! I love the 70's pics, thanks!
WayOutWardell - Did Sam's occupy just the lower floor? When did Sam's close, do you know? I'm going to read more about Yondorf Hall. I didn't know the history!
Richard - Which cable plant?
FranCarmen - Oh wow. The atmosphere during the early 80's sounds much better! I can barely stand to walk down Armitage after 7pm now! "Like, Like, totally, like..." Otto's sounds like a great place. Too many Italian places now and they are mediocre if that. Please post any photos if you run across any from back in the day! The button store sounds really interesting!
DaveG and FranCarmen - I was reading about the Tap Root Pub and it looks like it moved a few times. Here's an [url=http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1990-03-25/news/9001240976_1_restaurant-and-tavern-root-mr-budd]article[/url]. Now I'm going to have to walk by there and see the site. I think there's a house there (at least that's what Google street level shows).
If you think of any more, please share. I love this stuff!
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
daveg
()
Date: February 25, 2011 12:17PM
kgamb,
Thanks for the Tap Root Pub article link and welcome to FC. Lots of nice (and well informed) people here.
Read through the excellent articles in the "Features" section found on the main FC page. This will further place your marriage in jeopardy. ;-)
When the weather turns, the FC walking tours are well worth it.
Thanks for the Tap Root Pub article link and welcome to FC. Lots of nice (and well informed) people here.
Read through the excellent articles in the "Features" section found on the main FC page. This will further place your marriage in jeopardy. ;-)
When the weather turns, the FC walking tours are well worth it.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
WayOutWardell
()
Date: February 25, 2011 04:47PM
Welcome, kgamb! Re: Sam's/Yondorf...I was a kid so I don't really remember much about the building aside from the upper windows having torn plastic flapping around in the breeze. We'd often visit my aunt who lived nearby on Burling until the mid '80s.
Here's a photo of the old Yondorf Hall:
[url=http://www.vinci-hamp.com/_images/_portfolio/21/1.jpg]Sam's Liquors, North & Halsted[/url]
Here's a photo of the old Yondorf Hall:
[url=http://www.vinci-hamp.com/_images/_portfolio/21/1.jpg]Sam's Liquors, North & Halsted[/url]
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
Chipast
()
Date: February 25, 2011 09:30PM
I wonder how the liquor store looked inside????????.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
FranCarmen
()
Date: February 26, 2011 02:32AM
Sam's was a mess inside. You had to wonder through narrow aisles lined with packing boxes and dig around to find what you wanted.I remember the conveyor belt inside the store, and boxes were carried down to the sales floor from an upper level. The customers were a mix of street people, people looking for deals and fine wine afficionados. Later they fixed up the exterior and the inside was more organized, and then they moved west.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
Chipast
()
Date: February 26, 2011 04:28PM
I wonder how concerned many were?, That the place had vermin?.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 26, 2011 08:10PM
WayOutWardell - Oh my. I haven't had that much pleasure in a long time (ha). Wow - What a great photo of the old Sam's! Thanks! Hey, where did your aunt live on Burling?? Please tell me you have some photos. I'd love to see it as it was before all the new construction, 8-lot mansions.
Daveg - Thanks for the tip and welcome! Yes, I will be joining you guys on the walking tours for sure.
FranCarmen - Since you seem to have an excellent memory of all the details, I'm wondering if you recall a bar just down from Sam's, on the corner of Burling and North Avenue? I know there's a dog park there now, making Burling a dead end. Not sure if that was there then or not. Also, do you know what was across the street on North from Sam's (where Apple Store is now)? Probably was the gas station? What about across from Halsted where CB2 and the strip mall is now? Any other memories are really interesting, so thank you!
Ok, Daveg, off to the Features! My husband is at the cleaners so I have a few minutes to obsess. :)
Daveg - Thanks for the tip and welcome! Yes, I will be joining you guys on the walking tours for sure.
FranCarmen - Since you seem to have an excellent memory of all the details, I'm wondering if you recall a bar just down from Sam's, on the corner of Burling and North Avenue? I know there's a dog park there now, making Burling a dead end. Not sure if that was there then or not. Also, do you know what was across the street on North from Sam's (where Apple Store is now)? Probably was the gas station? What about across from Halsted where CB2 and the strip mall is now? Any other memories are really interesting, so thank you!
Ok, Daveg, off to the Features! My husband is at the cleaners so I have a few minutes to obsess. :)
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 26, 2011 10:04PM
FranCarmen - I forgot to mention ... Was the fish place you mention, The Canoe Club? I happened to see it mentioned in an article on HighBeam (didn't pull down the whole thing, but saw the name).
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
FranCarmen
()
Date: February 28, 2011 02:21AM
kgamb, I loved the Canoe Club, totally forgot about it. But that was on Halsted, north of Diversey, between the Walgreen's parking lot and the old Steppenwolf theatre building. It was a themed place, like a Wisconsin supper club. Same owner as Blue Mesa, at 1729 N. Halsted. The father of the owner of Blue Mesa owned the [url=http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/the-grub-game/Content?oid=903393]London House[/url], a jazz club at the corner of Michigan and Wacker.
I'm pretty sure the seafood place I was thinking of was called the Halsted Street Fish Market, owned by Sue Gin. She owned a few places in the area, including Four Farthings.
I never stopped in the bar at Burling and North, that I remember. I'd always get lost on Burling; the street curved and I didn't know my way very well around there.
I cannot recall what was across from Sam's.
The gas station sounds right for next to the subway station.
http://francesarcher.com
I'm pretty sure the seafood place I was thinking of was called the Halsted Street Fish Market, owned by Sue Gin. She owned a few places in the area, including Four Farthings.
I never stopped in the bar at Burling and North, that I remember. I'd always get lost on Burling; the street curved and I didn't know my way very well around there.
I cannot recall what was across from Sam's.
The gas station sounds right for next to the subway station.
http://francesarcher.com
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
kgamb
()
Date: February 28, 2011 03:52AM
FranCarmen, Darn. I was hoping C.C. was the place you were trying to recall. I looked up Halsted Street Fish Market and it looks like Lucky Jeans has taken its place. Sad.
It's also a shame that Blue Mesa is gone. I think it was a Don Juan after 2000. Interesting that the father of the owner of Blue Mesa also owned Mr. Kelly's. Now Halsted is just block after block of Italian.
Thanks for the details!
It's also a shame that Blue Mesa is gone. I think it was a Don Juan after 2000. Interesting that the father of the owner of Blue Mesa also owned Mr. Kelly's. Now Halsted is just block after block of Italian.
Thanks for the details!
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
bhart1518
()
Date: February 02, 2012 10:38PM
In the mid to late 80's, Halsted Street Fish Market had a great rooftop deck. A waiter dressed as a pirate ("Captain Scoop") had on one hand, instead of a hook, an ice cream scoop. He would serve up dessert. A real crowd pleaser for the kids and parents!
Much has been said about the area around North and Clybourn. On the northwest corner, where Crate and Barrel is now located, was Byron's Hot Dogs. Great food and great decor. Lots of space age aliens and monsters hanging from the ceiling and really well designed booths and tables. Siegle's had a very nice hardware store pre-Home Depot.
The Ox Yoke Inn was a great German restaurant. I miss it a lot.
Much has been said about the area around North and Clybourn. On the northwest corner, where Crate and Barrel is now located, was Byron's Hot Dogs. Great food and great decor. Lots of space age aliens and monsters hanging from the ceiling and really well designed booths and tables. Siegle's had a very nice hardware store pre-Home Depot.
The Ox Yoke Inn was a great German restaurant. I miss it a lot.
Re: N Halsted Street in the 80's
Posted by:
jak378
()
Date: February 03, 2012 02:06PM
I worked in the area for a short time in the 60's and don't really remember a restaurant called the Fish Merket, but if it was owned by Sue Gin, I believe she later owned a business called something like "Flying Food Fair" or something like that. That company did catering for the airlines, specifically Midway Airlines and maybe some others.
The other place wasn't the "Ox Yoke," but the Golde Ox. Great food nonetheless and wonderful martinis.
The other place wasn't the "Ox Yoke," but the Golde Ox. Great food nonetheless and wonderful martinis.
