What's up with the Harrison St. Arts District in Oak Park? (Chicago: renters, crimes)

[chitownperson]

I think it's a bit mellow dramatic to state, "Oak Park is forced to accept the souless national retailers in town / across Harlem in River Forest that destroys the character that once made the area quaint." I don't believe anyone has ever expressed opposition to non independent businesses moving in, just that they don't take over the town and turn it into a characterless place and lose support for independent businesses... neither of which have happened.

I should emphasize that Oak Parks vibrant downtown is JUST ONE reason people move here, but the HUGE advantage it has over places like Hinsdale, Naperville etc... is that not only is the "core" walkable, but a significant portion of residents have walkable access from their residence to the "core" without the premium. Also, some people are willing to give up a little glitz for a place with less of a real housewives feel to it... though I find the Oak Park downtown plenty quaint.

[sfcambridge]

Originally Posted by JJski

sorry - Cozy Corner

yikes... probably the worst choice of all the places to eat at the mall.

Honestly, I don't know why that place has remained for the past 30+ years.... But I guess every town needs an old diner.

[chitownperson]

Originally Posted by sfcambridge

Honestly, I don't know why that place has remained for the past 30+ years.... But I guess every town needs an old diner.

There is probably enough of an aging population to support places like this.

[chitownperson]

Originally Posted by chitownperson

I think it's a bit mellow dramatic to state, "Oak Park is forced to accept the souless national retailers in town / across Harlem in River Forest that destroys the character that once made the area quaint." I don't believe anyone has ever expressed opposition to non independent businesses moving in, just that they don't take over the town and turn it into a characterless place and lose support for independent businesses... neither of which have happened.

I should emphasize that Oak Parks vibrant downtown is JUST ONE reason people move here, but the HUGE advantage it has over places like Hinsdale, Naperville etc... is that not only is the "core" walkable, but a significant portion of residents have walkable access from their residence to the "core" without the premium. Also, some people are willing to give up a little glitz for a place with less of a real housewives feel to it... though I find the Oak Park downtown plenty quaint.

I should add that one only needs to walk around different streets in downtown Oak Park to realize that the sheer number of small businesses far out number the large national retailers. Most people I know in Oak Park don't cement their idea of the character of Oak Park based on the store on and across the border of the town... they tend to base it on the majority of that which is going on in the town, but of course one would have to spend enough time in this place to know that, and not just merely drive along Harlem ave. What does it say about one who is trying to look for the quaintness and character of Oak Park in a River Forest mall?

[ChicagoMeO]

I was over at Divine Consign in Oak Park - they are on Oak Park just north of the expressway (800 block of S Oak Park Ave?) anyway, there is a cute little bunch of shops right over there, it almost made me want to move up there if i were to pick a cute part of Oak Park to live in.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by ChicagoMeO

I was over at Divine Consign in Oak Park - they are on Oak Park just north of the expressway (800 block of S Oak Park Ave?) anyway, there is a cute little bunch of shops right over there, it almost made me want to move up there if i were to pick a cute part of Oak Park to live in.

That's an amazingly affordable area of Oak Park as well, with great access to the city. The amenities in southern Oak Park are very underrated, in my opinion.

[Irishtom29]

Originally Posted by Lookout Kid

That's an amazingly affordable area of Oak Park as well, with great access to the city. The amenities in southern Oak Park are very underrated, in my opinion.

South Oak Park was where the rough-neck Irish like the Hogans, McGuires and McGoverns lived. And quite a few Bohemians and Italians too. Not proper Oak Park people; definitely not your Waspy Unitarian types.

[Lookout Kid]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

South Oak Park was where the rough-neck Irish like the Hogans, McGuires and McGoverns lived. And quite a few Bohemians and Italians too. Not proper Oak Park people; definitely not your Waspy Unitarian types.

There's a shift in lot size that occurs at Madison Street. The lots south of Madison Street are typically quite a bit smaller, and perhaps this was the original dividing line of affordability in the village?

One advantage now to living on one of those smaller lots is that the property taxes are a bit more manageable. But a friend who grew up down there points out that you can sometimes hear your neighbors arguing since the houses are so close together.

[ChicagoMeO]

Originally Posted by Irishtom29

South Oak Park was where the rough-neck Irish like the Hogans, McGuires and McGoverns lived. And quite a few Bohemians and Italians too. Not proper Oak Park people; definitely not your Waspy Unitarian types.

I liked the atmosphere of the place, plus a few shops, it looked like a good place to live in that part of Oak Park, if I wanted to move there.. i had been checking apartments and I like to see the neighborhood, and well I was frankly surprised that there were so many shops at that part of town.. i've never been there before and was pleasantly surprised.. Plus i now like that store a lot! Imma gonna go back there next time i am looking for something to buy like furniture, or decorations.

[chet everett]

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World Wide Words: Harsh one's mellow

Originally Posted by chitownperson

I think it's a bit mellow dramatic to state, "Oak Park is forced to accept the souless national retailers in town / across Harlem in River Forest that destroys the character that once made the area quaint." I don't believe anyone has ever expressed opposition to non independent businesses moving in, just that they don't take over the town and turn it into a characterless place and lose support for independent businesses... neither of which have happened.

I should emphasize that Oak Parks vibrant downtown is JUST ONE reason people move here, but the HUGE advantage it has over places like Hinsdale, Naperville etc... is that not only is the "core" walkable, but a significant portion of residents have walkable access from their residence to the "core" without the premium. Also, some people are willing to give up a little glitz for a place with less of a real housewives feel to it... though I find the Oak Park downtown plenty quaint.