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What Should Go Here: Empty Storefront on Pulaski South of 95th Street

The Evergreen Parker wants to know what small business you think would be appropriate for this little neighborhood storefront

 

It's just a little storefront in a collection of little storefronts squeezed in between apartment buildings on the east side of Pulaski Road just south of 95th Street. Other businesses along that stretch of road include an office of dentists, a hair salon and an automotive accessory store. What could we suggest for this space? It seems perfect for a little bookstore, or maybe an old-fashioned malt shop, with candy and ice cream.

This little collection of storefronts stands in stark contrast to the giant Kmart strip mall to the east across Pulaski, and the Jewel/Home Depot/Target agglomeration along Pulaski and 95th Street to the northwest. These storefronts are suited for neighborhood businesses. Parking is limited in front of them, but I would imagine the right store could do a decent walk-up business, with Evergreen Park homes to the east and collections of apartment and condo buildings along Pulaski to the south in Evergreen and Oak Lawn. The only issue for Oak Lawn residents, of course, is crossing Pulaski. Some days you need to make sure your affairs are in order if you want to dash across to Fantastic Sam's or the Foodies store. You might not make it back.

That problem could be nicely solved with a signaled pedestrian crossing at 97th Street, but that doesn't seem likely given the proximity of the signals at 95th Street and 99th Street.

What about you? What business might fit in a little storefront like this and make it these days?

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About this column: This weekly column will discuss all things Evergreen Park through the eyes of an Evergreen Parker. What does it mean to live in Evergreen Park? What does it mean to be from Evergreen Park? With your help, we'll explore. Join the conversation! Related Topics: Chris Clair, The Evergreen Parker, christopher clair, and evergreen park real estate

Rose Duffy

12:34 pm on Wednesday, May 23, 2012

I like the candy shop idea, or cafe.

Reply

Big Dave

7:44 pm on Thursday, May 24, 2012

A malt liquor or tattoo shop. Locally owned businesses come in all forms- be careful what you wish for.

Reply

Dee

9:13 am on Tuesday, May 29, 2012

How about a frozen yogurt shop? My daughter and her friends just drove out to Orland for frozen yogurt.

Reply

MHB25

3:18 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Aren't they tearing down the stores and building a Walgreens?

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Chris Clair

5:00 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Hadn't heard that one, MHB25. I'm pretty sure I heard a while back that Walgreens only builds on corner lots, now, so I'd be surprised if they constructed something mid-block, which is where these particular shops are.

Big Dave, you're right about local businesses coming in all forms. What if we tweak your comment a bit and say an upscale wine store and a cigar bar? I don't think businesses are inherently bad in and of themselves based on what they sell. So long as the people who patronize them behave themselves, it doesn't have to be a problem.

MHB25

5:12 pm on Wednesday, May 30, 2012

From what I heard, they're building on a corner lot where the muffler shop is and demolishing all the buildings east of there. Sorry, I thought this was on the same block.

Reply

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