French Normandy Lannon Stone Castle Waiting for a Buyer: 5861 N. Forest Glen in Sauganash
This 3-bedroom “French Normandy lannon stone castle” at 5861 N. Forest Glen in the Sauganash neighborhood of Forest Glen has been on the market since January 2011.
In that time, it has been reduced $80,000 to $699,000.
Built in 1939 on an oversized Chicago lot measuring 60×266.4×71.61×227.4, it has an attached 2-car garage.
The house has french doors and windows and coved ceilings in the main living area.
The listing describes the kitchen as “gourmet”. It has white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, stone counter tops and 2 sinks, including one on the island.
All 3 bedrooms are on the second floor.
It has central air, skylights, a finished basement and a sprinkler system.
Last purchased in 1987, how long will this seller have to wait to find a GenX or GenY buyer in this market?
Sheila Tomey at Coldwell Banker has the listing. See the pictures here.
5861 N. Forest Glen: 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2 car garage, no square footage listed
- Sold in October 1987 (no price listed)
- Originally listed in January 2011 for $779,000
- Reduced
- Currently listed at $699,000
- Taxes of $9990
- Central Air
- Bedroom #1: 21×16 (second floor)
- Bedroom #2: 16×13 (second floor)
- Bedroom #3: 13×12 (second floor)
- Finished basement
Ahhhh… So nice and refreshing after the seeing the W Dickens pigsty.
Great house in a very desirable city neighborhood with the feel of an old, elite north shore suburb. This area is convenient to METRA, to Jefferson Park, and to the suburbs.
The agent should post about 12 photos at least. There’s a photo of the family room, but not the living room, dining room, bedrooms, or baths.
The price feels right, though.
So do you guys believe me when I say its possible we’ll see mortgage rates in the 2-3% range in a few years time?
Stupid fed!
this is the second cc saugy house on forest glen that has impressed me. money seems to go far there, you are still in city, and i think, schools are good.
here is the other one from past spring
http://www.redfin.com/IL/Chicago/6070-N-Forest-Glen-Ave-60646/home/39579531
$3,834 per month with $140,000 down! now why won’t this sell!
I don’t understand Saugansh or even North Center. Youre in the city but you really are not close to anything. You still need to drive and do the same stuff you would in a suburb. You don’t get the benefits of the city but you get the downside with crap traffic and weirdos walking around.
If you are looking at Sauganash, why not just go up to Wilmette?
“$3,834 per month with $140,000 down! now why won’t this sell!”
What’s your point?
“So do you guys believe me when I say its possible we’ll see mortgage rates in the 2-3% range in a few years time?
Stupid fed!”
Ha, yes, I agree with the stupid part. 3 regional presidents dissented with operation twist, I would have also dissented. The fed needs to stop meddling.
north center is more cityish. sauganash/edgebrook/wildwood might as well be north shore cake. though the kids I knew from there growing up all claimed to be tough city kids
Nice place. I would definitely take it over living in the suburbs.
Wilmette is one of the few suburbs I could tolerate since it has alleys. I hate the alleyless suburbs where the garage takes up the entire front of the house.
I’m guessing this type of house would cost a lot more in Wilmette though.
“I don’t understand Saugansh or even North Center. Youre in the city but you really are not close to anything. You still need to drive and do the same stuff you would in a suburb. You don’t get the benefits of the city but you get the downside with crap traffic and weirdos walking around.
If you are looking at Sauganash, why not just go up to Wilmette?”
Totally agree, at least Wilmette has the lake and better schools. I think some people just want to say they are city people even as they drive to big box, downtown and to the grocery store.
“north center is more cityish. sauganash/edgebrook/wildwood might as well be north shore cake. though the kids I knew from there growing up all claimed to be tough city kids”
Ha, about the tough city kid part. Yes, I agree NorthCenter and Saug are different and the Saug/Edge/Wild areas are spot on for suburbs.
However, NorthCenter I still don’t get. However, I’m the rare bird that thinks Lake View is ho-hum for a “city” life. When I lived in LakeView it was so quiet and drab that I thought it was depressing. Rows and rows of walk up homes with lawns doesn’t evoke “city” living for me.
I don’t think there are enough buyers in the market to pay 3834 per month with $140,000 down. That’s why it hasn’t sold!
“Looking to buy on September 21st, 2011 at 1:26 pm
“$3,834 per month with $140,000 down! now why won’t this sell!”
What’s your point?”
“I’m guessing this type of house would cost a lot more in Wilmette though.”
On the east side of Wilmette, yes it would prob cost more. On the west side its very competitive and I’ve been looking a lot.
“If you are looking at Sauganash, why not just go up to Wilmette?””
Uhhh…residency requirement?
More for your money?
Affiliation with Queen of All Saints?
maybe because it’s NOT the north shore?
Closer to downtown?
But, I suppose for those sophisticated buyers for whom the above concerns don’t matter, well, they are looking at Wilmette, which is why this place hasn’t sold.
That and the $140,000 down payment part.
“I think some people just want to say they are city people even as they drive to big box, downtown and to the grocery store.”
For a sophisticated buyer, I don’t think they really care if they say they are city people or not. Nobody is fooling anybody.
“But, I suppose for those sophisticated buyers for whom the above concerns don’t matter, well, they are looking at Wilmette, which is why this place hasn’t sold.”
Ha, good point.
“That and the $140,000 down payment part.”
I don’t agree with this part. There are a good number of folks that have this saved up for a downpayment.
That’s why those NorthCenter SFH’s are snatched up like hot cakes….
“If you are looking at Sauganash, why not just go up to Wilmette?”
Comfort Zone. Someone growing up in the NW side of Chicago would look here because it’s still close to what they know and technically the city.
After all,
Some people won’t go/buy west of Western.
some people won’t buy too far north or south of the one street that makes up East Lincoln Park Prime.
Some people won’t live too close/far to an El station.
Some people cannot stand a room with a cross over the bed or
share a bathroom.
any others?
“I don’t agree with this part. There are a good number of folks that have this saved up for a downpayment.”
I agree they have that saved up, but few, so few, are using that $140,000 as a down payment. FHA is what, 30% or 40% of the market now?
Some people won’t live in a basement. Oops, I mean lower level.
“I agree they have that saved up, but few, so few, are using that $140,000 as a down payment. FHA is what, 30% or 40% of the market now?”
Aren’t cash buyers around 30%? Lots of people out there with all sorts of cash and preferences.
We need a home exchange where you can buy and sell homes like securities….ha That’s what will create an efficient market!
Bad ass back yard. Great looking house. I think its good to go in the upper 6’s.
140K isn’t that much for a down payment IMO. Your not going after the $225K audience with this place.
Laura Louzader on September 21st, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Great house in a very desirable city neighborhood with the feel of an old, elite north shore suburb. This area is convenient to METRA, to Jefferson Park, and to the suburbs.
The agent should post about 12 photos at least. There’s a photo of the family room, but not the living room, dining room, bedrooms, or baths.
The price feels right, though.
———
Its driving distance to the Metra and I wouldn’t consider it close to Jefferson Park.
with an $80K price reduction they aren’t going after the $800K audience either apparently.
“140K isn’t that much for a down payment IMO. Your not going after the $225K audience with this place.”
I love the houses up there, but it is just so darn suburban. The el isn’t that close, and when my husband and I drove around to get a feel for the neighborhood I was bored. I would rather live in Evanston.
I dont think you can get that much house in ev for that price. and the taxes are higher a good bit.
“I love the houses up there, but it is just so darn suburban. The el isn’t that close, and when my husband and I drove around to get a feel for the neighborhood I was bored. I would rather live in Evanston.”
Similar to the point I was trying to make except my biggest concern would be High School options. Why not move to Wilmette for a similar price, neighborhood feel and get a good high school. Yes, it’s further from downtown, but not that much further.
Yes it is somewhat suburban. however, some people don’t want to live on the north shore. clio’s argument takes it a step further – why live tehre OR the north shore and instead why not move to oak brook?
The far NW side is a haven for City Workers, period. Also, if you don’t “get it”, then you don’t “get” the near 80% of the city that is not ‘pure white gentrified SS stove-ville’.
And, many Yuppies clog traffic every weekend driving to the Big boxes on Clyborn Av.
“The far NW side is a haven for City Workers, period. ”
Not just city workers anymore. It traditionally was, but not so much anymore. I know two people offhand who bought in this neighborhood in the last two years and neither of them were city workers. One is an attorney and the other is an investment banker. Sauganash Park has more modest homes and more city workers but things are changing. As you cansee, you get more for your money up here, and it’s a 10 or 15 minute shorter commute on 94 than the north shore.
I know the NW side is a haven for city workers. But why are city workers buying $700k houses???
This, I don’t get:
“then you don’t “get” the near 80% of the city that is not ‘pure white gentrified SS stove-ville’.”
SS stove-ville??
“SS stove-ville??”
Stainless steel. The land of passe posuers.
I much prefer “Linoleum counter-burg”.
“…with the feel of an old, elite north shore suburb.” Only better, given its proximity to a lovely expressway.
Who says ‘yuppie’ these days? And what’s with the race comment?? Chicagoland is super segregated. It just is.
FWIW, this looks like a nice house to me. I’m not particular interested in this architectual style, but I’d buy if it were in a location I wanted to live in.
I don’t know why bargain hunters haven’t scooped up this deal. It’s a great house, in a great neighborhood for an awesome price. This home is a bargain and it will sell fast in the near future. The government just has to help the real estate market. Perhaps for every dollar you put down, the Federal Government matches it? We need to be creative.
Lannon stone is a superior material and this place is superior in itself.
Lots of deals all over 60646 yet few are selling. Why is that? Hahahahaha
“Lots of deals all over 60646 yet few are selling. Why is that”
People are idiots and don’t know what is going on in the world. The world economy is in trouble. Investments (stock market, etc.) are VERY VERY shaky. Foreign investments even more so. Smart people will begin to realize this (realize that their stock portfolios lose money much faster than their real estate) and will begin realizing that by investing in homes, they not only protect their investment, but they also get to enjoy it. I am not trying to be a “real estate shill” – but the truth is the truth – ask anyone in the financial sector, and they will tell you the same thing (about the uncertainty of the stock/financial markets for the next 5-10 years).
HD,I think you make a great point as to why here over Wilmette.
I too agree this area is NOT only for city workers. Lots of city workers out here but also many cannot afford $700k houses. The person I know that moved out here recently isn’t a city worker either. Why wouldn’t a lawyer want to live near police, firefighters and teachers? The lawyer also has a closer commute to downtown here, is closer to the city to go out, has good schools for his or her children and safe places for them to play and it has a city address to boot. To some that doesn’t mean much, but to others it is a plus. Those of us that have grown up in/near the city or not in the north shore often loath the idea of living there when we can get the same experience elsewhere.
I grew up on the far northwest side. My parents just wanted to stay in the city. My mom didn’t like the idea of living in the suburbs even though we ended up spending a lot of time in various suburbs.. shopping in Skokie… the beach in Wilmette… movies in Evanston…
clio, your latest post indicates that you actually do get the cause of my “gloom and doom”.
It isn’t just because I live in RP that I feel insecure.
I have my nose buried in all the economic and financial news, all the sites and major news services, all day, and I’ve been convinced for quite a few years that the global economy is not merely “in trouble”.
I believe that the Western world in going through the biggest economic shift since industrialization and that this shift will be every bit as disruptive as that one was, but it won’t result in the massive improvement in living standards and comforts that the last upheaval did. All the pieces are being moved now and we have no idea where they’ll end up, but it’s a good bet that whatever money and security we think we have might cease to exist in a few years. We are not in a recession, or a depression, but a complete reorganization of our economy, and it’s NOT the reorganization that our leaders are making futile attempts with trillions of non-existent dollars, to engineer. It won’t be driven by policy or ideas, but by circumstances beyond our control, namely increasing resource scarcity. It won’t be fun no matter what and the more we resist making the adjustments we have to make, the more unpleasant it will be.
Life will be very different. I hope it won’t be too much worse, but the strategies that have worked for the past 60 years may suddenly become very obsolete. New economic winners and losers will be created. We will all have to be much more flexible and open and adaptable than we ever imagined we’d have to be.
“It won’t be driven by policy or ideas, but by circumstances beyond our control, namely increasing resource scarcity.”
People should buy real estate next to the Great Lakes! When Las Vegas is all shriveled up and California is fighting water wars with its neighbors, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago will be sitting pretty.
“People should buy real estate next to the Great Lakes! When Las Vegas is all shriveled up and California is fighting water wars with its neighbors, Detroit, Cleveland and Chicago will be sitting pretty.”
GOTTA LOSE YOUR MIND IN DETROIT! ROCK CITY!
CLEVELAND ROCKS! CLEVELAND ROCKS!
The Great Lakes will have a natural competitive advantage after WW3 in the brief period when all modalities of transport are destroyed and before we rebuild rail.
But maybe we’ll forget how to make rail just like if we confiscated and melted all the guns people would forget how to make them.
Not as doom & gloom as Laura but maybe that’s because it’s not my medicare and SS about to get cut. But I’m not _too far_ off.
We will get through this eventually it will just take more time than our ADHD society has gotten used to over the past 30 years.
I like the roof. Does anyone know how much a slate roof like this costs to install?
PS They need to lose that cheap gutter downspout, remove it, and put some copper ones on the corners, how much would that cost?
City of Chicago employee salaries are accessible to public. There are a great number of positions that pay more than $100,000/year, and many hourly employees can easily exceed that threshold as well with overtime (which hasn’t been carefully monitored, at least in past). Two of those salaries could easily afford this house at $600,000+.
Though there’s finally a Whole Foods within walking distance, otherwise there isn’t any “mini-commercial district” of retail, restaurant, or entertainment nearby such as what serves Edgebrook at Central/Devon. A household needs at least two cars here, and for teens, probably a third car too.
Note that Queen of All Saints school isn’t as respected as it once was; there was a mass out-migration of students about four or five years ago due to disgruntled parents. I’m unsure whether there were any administrative changes to stem that flow, but I know that parents were complaining to the pastor too.
Absence of photos of bathrooms and other rooms in this house suggest that there’s a newish addition and kitchen but remaining house elements are likely dated. What realtors chose to show and not show is usually indicative of house condition. It’s not like they’re saving on film. Condition would certainly be one plausible reason for the long listing time.
Duncan: slate roofs are as expensive as copper standing seam roofs, think replacement cost could be in $25,000 – $30,000 range. Material properly installed and flashed can last 50+ years without replacement. House is old enouogh to plausible require a new roof. Copper gutters and downspouts are expensive, and popular targets of metal-scrap thieves who rip them off buildings and sell to metal recycling yards.
I’ve too read that fresh water will be a premium commodity in near future, but doubt that issue will significantly impact Great Lakes-served real estate. Las Vegas hasn’t a reliable longterm water source.
I second Laura’s concerns re longterm economic forecast. Laura, have you been reading James Kunstler’s web-site too?
You could buy something size-wise cheaper in Evanston, but not with that yard (and similar taxes even without that amount of land). I’ve been hearing from friends in Evanston that there have been bidding wars on modest houses in SW Evanston and that contract prices are going over asking prices, even if they are still lower than a couple years ago.
“slate roofs are as expensive as copper standing seam roofs, think replacement cost could be in $25,000 – $30,000 range. Material properly installed and flashed can last 50+ years without replacement.”
Any thoughts on composite slate? Bascially the fake stuff? How much is that?
This is not surprising b/c inventory is BAD right now. Even when I see a place that might work, it needs so much updating that it makes the price of the house unworkable.
“that there have been bidding wars on modest houses in SW Evanston and that contract prices are going over asking prices, even if they are still lower than a couple years ago.”
“Any thoughts on composite slate? Bascially the fake stuff? How much is that?”
I remember seeing recently that it’s about 10% more than regular asphalt, but that seems too low.
Agree with Sabrina. Chicago and the other Midwestern cities like St Louis, Detroit, Indianapolis, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Milwaukee have advantages that will be extremely important in coming years.
They are all well above sea level (500′-600′), they are sited on major water routes, they all have abundant supplies of fresh water and fertile hinterlands.
Remember that these old cities were founded when you lived or died by how well your city was located in relation to things like fresh water and fertile land, not to mention important water transportation routes. Copious supplies of high-energy fuels canceled the huge differences between, say, a city like St. Louis with its easy access to the gulf, or Chicago and it’s unbelievably advantageous location on a Great Lake with the best farmland in the world just 50 miles out; vs. a city like Phoenix or Las Vegas that couldn’t exist without megatons of fossil fuels being shoveled into building a system of mega-dams that make it possible to supply 5 million people with water in the middle of the most arid climate in the world, in addition to a vast network of superhighways through places with population densities of maybe 20 people a mile. We can’t justify allocating our remaining resources this way anymore. We never really could justify destroying beautiful, well-located, “organic” cities that grew up where they did because that’s where the resources are and where it is easiest to live and work; to build places that take 3X as much energy per person just to live in because they are locations like deserts, that simply cannot support human life.
Yeah, I’ve read Kunstler for years, along with Nicole “Stoneleigh” Foss’ The Automatic Earth, Kenneth Deffeye’s Hubbert’s Peak, Kurt Cobb’s Resource Insights, the Oil Drum, the Energy Bulletin, Nuclear Green, Energy From Thorium, and every other energy-related news service, website, and blog I can find that is decently written.
My first exposure to Kunstler was way back, on reading THE GEOGRAPHY OF NOWHERE, his critique of the suburbanization of the US. I felt like I’d discovered a soul-mate, that this guy had read my mind, because his thoughts on the cul-de-sac and 6-lane-collector-road wastelands of the 70s forward so echoed my own. I don’t think I’ve ever hated places the way I hated the new outer burbs that were built starting about the late 60s. I was a teen then and my family considered moving to one of these places, but we hated them and opted for an older, “deteriorating” suburb that has since experienced a great increase in value because it is an old-fashioned “small town” suburb with beautiful older homes, lovely gardens, and a lot of trees along with a charming commercial district. Places with no center, no cohesion, no sidewalks, no place you could let your kids out to play, no decent architecture, and no way to live without driving 50 miles a day even if you worked relatively close by.
Kunstler’s message is unfortunately marred by his idealization of pre-technological life and his scarcely-concealed hatred of modern society for the most beautiful thing about it, which is the incredible comfort, safety, and amenity enjoyed by the larger population. I find myself disliking the guy very much for his hatred and contempt for the people who don’t “get it”, and for the tens of millions of hapless people who are in no position to see or know what is causing them to lose their jobs, their homes, and their hopes for their own and their kids’ futures.
Heh… if the world economy does collapse and sea levels rise and there’s another world war, I hope I die in the first wave of deaths.
I rather feel the same way in my worst moments, jenny. I don’t want to live in a society with no technology, where 95% of the population is living in ragged poverty on the edge of starvation. And I surely don’t want to see what happens to politics if we came to such a pass. You’ll notice that the worse off we are economically, the more irrational our politics become.
Laura and Jenny, please calm down. Things are bad, but put it all in perspective. You don’t have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Forget about the problems of the world – you can’t solve them. Just enjoy your life.
“You could buy something size-wise cheaper in Evanston, but not with that yard .”
where? seems to me nice stuff in ev is about the same price. and like you said, w/out this land. but I havent looked super closely.
Despite going to Northwestern, I don’t like Evanston. I would much rather live in a large house like this in Chicago than Evanston. There are too many junky areas of Evanston. Even their high school has gang problems.
Kunstler (“Clusterfuck Nation” blog)lives in the Albany/Saratoga Springs area of NY state. Area has significant “rural/small-town” poverty with property abandonment and/or deferred maintenance-related deterioration, and has had Detroit-like economic hard-times for a long time. (I know, not counting beautiful tourist-destination downtown Saratoga Springs, etc.) Having spent several days in Albany area, I can understand his calamity mentality. Did you read his post-peak/post-epidemic novel?
bc chicago has no junky areas or hs gangs, jenny?
This is located in that vast wasteland of the NW side that may have some good quality-of-life aspects but is rather challenged in terms of public transportation. Then again you do have the Metra nearby for commuting downtown to work, etc.
“This is located in that vast wasteland of the NW side…”
Vast wasteland? Have you ever seen the south or west sides? The NW and particularlly this area are far from vast wastelands! Hahaha
CH, I don’t see paying a premium for Evanston when the schools aren’t good and it has all the problems of Chicago. The property taxes in Evanston are higher and you still have to pay for a private school.
I’ve also read Geography of Nowhere and enjoyed it.
Architect – I’ve enjoyed your posts but noticed that you’ve voiced critiques of many areas, including your village of River Forest. For a young, urban-oriented family looking for an area to settle in today (city neighborhood or suburbs with traditional downtown and train access), what would you recommend?
if you think ev has all the problems of chicago you bolster clio’s stance that NU is a 3rd tier school
“because his thoughts on the cul-de-sac …”
I gather he wasn’t a fan of the show “Knots Landing”. They certainly didn’t have dull lives.
The Yard is Bad Ass. I’ll say it again.
Its a good option in the mid to high 6’s in my opinion. Again the yard is Bad Ass.
A lot like that in Norwood Park would go for $300K all day long for a 50Ft wide.
By the what happened to Groove77 that guy would jump all over this place
I went to the estate sale here to check out the house. I bought an old-school walkman with some cassette tapes of old Irish drinking songs. Great addition.
The kitchen and rear living/dinning room have been redone and are nice. The yard is awesome, could definitely work on the short game back there.
The upstairs is really dated and the bathroom is toilet, literally.
You can accuse me of bastardizing the home, but I would take the stone from the side and back of the garage and add a forth bedroom above the garage; totally redo the upstairs. I would then try to get a close match to fill in the rest of the stone on the side/back of the house where it’s less noticeable.
Architect- is that even feasible from a cost/permit perspective?
Too bad there’s no turret.
Regarding Kunstler:
I’d advise taking his gloom and doom forecasts with a huge grain of salt. He’s been spewing out negative predictions for years and years, and he’s been wrong on quite a bit. He has an abiding hatred of technology, so he can’t understand that better technology can lead to better things for civilization. For example, he never would have forecast the huge rise in U.S. natural gas production from shale drilling simply because it never would have occurred to him that people are smart enough to find new sources of energy. It appealed to his Luddite instincts to forecast suburbanites starving to death because they couldn’t find fossil fuels to grow crops.
I do love The Geography of Nowhere, because it offered constructive criticism and made some salient points that no one else was making. It really opened up my eyes in terms of the hazards of post-war suburban planning, which I’d always instinctively disliked but couldn’t put a finger on why until I read the book. And I like his blog’s “Photo of the month,” which always highlights an architectural or planning disaster.
But when he gets away from critiques of architecture and urban design, he moves out of his natural element and becomes nothing more than a doomsayer without economic or scientific credentials to stand on.
Ah… Phil has nailed it. The survivors are selling it to settle the estate, and can’t agree on anything. If you don’t have a full price offer don’t bother. No other way this is sitting for 9 months on the market.
I bet there is some sibling screaming for a price reduction while two other siblings with debt issues have debt issues and just cant leave any money on the table. So they chase the market down…
Chris M: We looked at many suburbs before chosing River Forest. We’re two white-collar professionals who work downtown; one child needed Special Ed services, so strong public school system w/empathetic administrators and teachers; shaded streets w/sidewalks and house with architectural character in move-in condition; real “mini downtown” within walking distance; alternate mass transit available, etc.
We moved from Evanston area; we looked at all the North Shore suburbs. Didn’t want Lake County commutes, discouraged by New Trier parents’ “average boy lost in shuffle” experiences. River Forest came strongly recommended. Aside from high RE taxes, we’re happy with choice. Check listing; there are some RF houses at $650,000 or less that are good choices.
Phil: feasible to add story over garage.
“if you think ev has all the problems of chicago you bolster clio’s stance that NU is a 3rd tier school”
I’m no Evanston expert but I was talking to someone 6 months ago who has lived there for 20 years. He told me that the pension problem is so big that every resident owes something like $20,000 each just to pay it off.
I think that is true. not sure how it compares to chicago’s financial quagmire, wouldnt be surprised if it was comparable or worse.. but I was referring more to the schools/crime.
Evanston’s downtown got overbuilt in the past 12 years. was up there on a tues afternoon recently and it was pretty dead traffic and pedestrian wise. lots of storefront vacancies as well. chains moved in and local diners, etc closed up. then the chains close and it’s kind of depressing. Buf Joes and Gigios is hanging in there so it’s not all bad
“Ah… Phil has nailed it. The survivors are selling it to settle the estate, and can’t agree on anything. If you don’t have a full price offer don’t bother. No other way this is sitting for 9 months on the market.
I bet there is some sibling screaming for a price reduction while two other siblings with debt issues have debt issues and just cant leave any money on the table. So they chase the market down…”
this
“Evanston’s downtown got overbuilt in the past 12 years. ”
I was there on a sunday a few weeks and it was thugs and teenagers everywhere; little foot traffic on a nice warm sunday, sort of odd. Lots of shuttered and vacant shops, empty store fronts bum me out. Its’ tough these days to get consumers out of their house and spending money on things other than necessities. I know I’m not spending anything these days other than on necessities, and nor is my group of friends. I’m hosting a bears game rather than going to a local watering hole; and it’s burgers and brats on the grill. I feel bad for anyone counting on my household to support their local business. But like I say, I got billz, I got to build up savings and pay down debt, and I’d rather pay that dollar in my pocket to sallie mae instead of giving it to the proprietor down the street. It’s a tough business environment and I don’t envy anyone in retail or food right now.
Funny, my family was out shopping this past weekend. Spending lots of money. In the City though and I didn’t see a single thug anywhere. Teens are out and about though.
there are def still people out buying shit. mich ave is clogged with people/tourists. dont really know why bc everything is easier to buy online.
I buy almost nothing online.
are you a senior citizen?
“It’s a tough business environment and I don’t envy anyone in retail or food right now.
That’s absolutely true, for the most part. But I’d say that every single place I’ve been to eat in the past year (my regular places, and places to which I’ve been for the first and only time) have been packed. And I mean jam packed, hour plus waits/no reservation – forget about it, packed. And the better the place – the more packed. Perhaps real estate the food (and retail) business have some things in common.
even lunch spot downtown? there’s a fried chicken place I used to go to on s clark that used to be slammed at lunch. now nobody is there. some place called alonti on vb and lasalle, same thing. maybe new places are stealing their thunder. chicken planet on vb seems crowded. it is the best chicken around though so that makes sense.
“are you a senior citizen?”
Nope, not even close.
Its the food trucks….
“dont really know why bc everything is easier to buy online.”
Because some people enjoy shopping as an activity that they can do with their friends and family. I actually like shopping on my own so someone is not constantly yapping and distracting me : )
nothing worse than yapping mallrats 🙂
yeah, but who shops at malls?
The city doesn’t have many. Shopping in the City is walking up and down a commercial corridor, Southport, Clark in Andersonville, Lincolin in LS, etc. malls sucks as do most suburbs ; )
malls blow, I agree. I’d guess though that many more people are shopping downtown in malls or mall-esque stores than the commercial corridors you mentioned.
Open air concept malls like old orchard and deer park are thriving. Woodfield is doing well too.
yet as a whole malls seem to be struggling
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704101604576246972728969548.html
A lot of malls are struggling. Old Orchard is fine. It’s in one of the wealthiest communities in the country.
“are you a senior citizen?”
My mom thinks all online shopping is akin to giving a Nigerian scam-mail artist your social security number. All of it. Including airlines and groceries. SO FRUSTRATING! When she came to Chicago she refused to get a Dominick’s discount card because “that’s how they get all your personal information.” AAAAAAARGH!
Senior citizens are funny with the internet. I heard a story from a coworker about someone trying to get their dad to sign up for an e-mail account, and the main reason he didn’t want to was because he kept asking “why do I have to get a G-mail account when everyone else gets an E-mail account!”
hah