Unfortunately, I was unable to make a second voyage into Uptown this weekend (and I am already running the risk of missing my Metra train home to the suburbs as we speak!) but I definitely found more on my first trip than I blogged about. Stepping out of the Wilson Red Line station into the streets was a little bit overwhelming. The sidewalks were teeming with people out and about, enjoying the weather. Most were either in transit (shopping? coming home from work? meeting up with friends?) but some stood around, chatting with each other.
I was most struck by the bustling local economy. Everyone is talking about our nation's economic recession and how much people and businesses are suffering (and I am by no means insinuating that Uptown is exempt from this!) but in the half block that I walked from the train station to the bike store, I counted 17 open and thriving businesses! There were only 3 storefronts that were vacant, which is impressive in contrast to the block I live on in Lakeview, where there are probably only 3 storefronts that are open.
Another interesting feature? Vendors! There was a man with a moveable stand selling "tamales riquisimos"--which I translate to "crazy-delicious tamales". There were several men selling socks, hats, and other apparel and accessories out of shopping carts on one street corner, and another woman sold Avon and other beauty products from a suitcase. This is definitely not something you get to see often in Lincoln Park.
I see posts about Uptown's interesting local economy in this blog's future!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment