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

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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