Myrna Skilling
312-850-3717
Fax 312-850-3718
Toll Free 800-959-2640
E-Mail
Chris Gaggero
Direct: 312-264-1270
Cell: 773-715-1479
Fax: 312-264-1470
E-mail: chris@skillingteam.com
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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.
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