Monday, October 24, 2011

Construction Crews Spotted in Old WAMU Space

A reader writes:
Hey Sloopin!

Has anyone heard anything about what is happening in the old WAMU bank building at Michigan and 16th?

Construction crews have been working on the interior of the building over the last week. Is something going in to that location? Also, on the opposite corner from that (old Curves space), I saw construction crews doing something in that space today also. Please put your sleuths on the case!

Thanks!
A
(Hat tip: AB!)

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

the building where curves used to be is not in a best of shape. Leaking roof, i doubt it is real construction, most likely fixing small things

wendigo said...

Hopefully its going to be an ice cream place of better yet ice cream and candy!!

Anonymous said...

The wamu location is going to be a veterinarian. I asked the contractors as i was walking my dog. That place is pretty big. what is weird is that there is another vet a block south. Anyway, good to see new businesses in the neighborhood.

BRENDAN said...

16th and state there is an animal hospital, 17th and mich there is an animal hospital, and then 10th and state there is a vet too.

Vets joining the ranks of Nail salons, dry cleaners, and day care centers.

Anonymous said...

dang...would a made a good location for Chipotle ..oh well cant complain since its going to use

Anonymous said...

What about the old Orange space on Harrison? Are they just putting in more parking for the garage there? The place was totally gutted the last time I looked. Thanks if anyone has any info!

Anonymous said...

Ugh...a vet? Huge bummer.

tayiah said...

Oh great just what we need another vet hospital. How many pets do sloopers own?

Jeff ( the other Jeff) said...

tayiah if you don't like it you can leave, right? Or is someone keeping you in the south loop under your will?

Anonymous said...

Everyone should be happy for new businesses coming in. It won't hurt to have a few more businesses in the area. Good Luck to them!

Anonymous said...

Would have been an excellent location for a Corner Bakery..hell, it's even on a corner.

Anonymous said...

I don't think just any new business is a good thing. You want people to be out and about. A veterinarian does not do this. I could maybe see if there were none in the area, but there are.

Anonymous said...

It's better than an another empty building. There are plenty of other available store front locations if another food retailer wants to come to this part of the Sloop! Speaking of the Curves building & leaks- does this mean they are getting hit with special assessment? Also, is the church on the corner of 16th & Wabash really going to expand?

Anonymous said...

You know what we need up in here is a hardcore pawn shop for us to sell and pawn our stuffs

Anonymous said...

We definitely could use another Starbucks in the middle of the Southloop.

We also need some good, reasonably priced dentists. Those rip-off artists at the Art of Modern Dentistry should be shutdown and I'm tired of having to travel to another neighborhood to go to my current dentist.

Anonymous said...

Pawn shop..not a bad idea.

Anonymous said...

I think a combination pawn /check cashing / gold buying shop would be ideal.

LL said...

Sloopers, you need to get some higher hopes for your hood. Pawn shops and vets are not going to make the Sloop a better place to live. The TJ was an awesome addition. A little pub with great food, a sandwhich shop, a Chipotle, a J Crew...those are all things you need in the Sloop.

LL said...

Sloopers, let's get real. A pawn shop is not going to make the Sloop a better place to live. A little cafe/bakery with soups and sandwhiches, a casual pub with great food, a Sbux with friendlier workers than the Roosevelt crew, a Chipotle, a freakin J Crew....those are things you need.

Anonymous said...

LL - you must be new to the site.. dont bother responding to the ridiculous comments by folks who do not live in the area.

ZM said...

I don't think the area is zoned for a pawn shop, actually.

Anonymous said...

The sloop definitely done needs more seervices up here and a pawn shop is somein we don't got. Like the other poster done already said it be cool if they also do check cashin and payday loan advance for the peoples here.

I don't believe in crimes but if they also do bail bonds it would be a full service establishment. People dont know it but the people who pay them bonds not the criminals. They normally the aunties, moms and women who are church going good peoples. So this wouldn't hurt the places around there.

Anonymous said...

LL, Why do you have to get up on your soap box 2 times to tell us the same thing?

Listen toots, we heard you the first time. and what's with the SBux and TJ references? Does that make you a cool hipster or something?

Anonymous said...

ZM,

What's this "zoned" means?

I alreadys said we aint got one but that we need one so if "it's not zoned" means there not one we already knows that.

This south loop zone done need one for sure.

Anonymous said...

I'm a tatoo artist currently working out of a small shop in Bucktown.

The owner and I have been scouting around the s. loop for a 2nd location. Rents have been a problem but we are close to finalizing a place on S. Michigan. 2 potential locations between Roosevelt and 18th and we are trying to narrow it down and negotiate the best deal.


You're all right that the S. Loop needs more services and hopefully we can get this done and help with the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

I do not have a tatoo & would love to see another shop like Code of Coduct, but PLEASE do not open right on S MICHIGAN unless it is high quality place like that.

Jeanne said...

Resident
Are people really still fixated on chain restaurants-establishments? Why can't we get a quality coffee shop/bakery like Grind in Lakeview? What ever happened to attracting/supporting the local business owner? Another Sbux? Chipotle? Really? Is that where we're headed?

Anonymous said...

Jeanne - dont worry about the Chipotle and Starbux guy..it's the same idiot. I can see Chain places going in on Roosevelt, Roosevelt Collection and along Cermak especially Lexington Park Condos now called THE LEX, but it should be avoided along S. Michigan, Wabash (south of Roosevelt).

Anonymous said...

Agreed, ran across this article this morning on curbed.

http://www.theatlanticcities.com/jobs-and-economy/2011/10/buildings-that-caused-recession/345/

although this focuses more with the suburbs I think it still hits home in the south loop. Lets do it right!

Anonymous said...

Hey Jeane and Jeane's friend... thanks for telling us what to want in our own neighborhood since you know what is best for us. We don't know what we want or what is best for us so it is good to have you guys around here to properly inform us.

You're so totally right that what we need is a bunch of granola head hipster joints with lousey service, slacker staff, poor hygiene and overall bad cleanliness. We can all see how well that worked out for Orange over on Harrison. Let's fill the space with granola crap like that and nothing else.

The neighborhood places and services will develop over time based on what the people want and not what you do gooders post. If the majority of residents want local hipster slacker joints those places will do well, flourish and expand. It the majority want chains then those will do the best. It's all supply and demand and what you type and spew won't change that

Anonymous said...

If you don't already have a tattoo hold off until we open our place on S. Michigan and we will give you the hook-up with a good deal.

Code of conduct is not bad but a bit of a "suburban" look and feel. Since we are in the city we will go with a bit more of an urban look. More Wicker Park than Naperville so to speak.

Anonymous said...

"Code of conduct is not bad but a bit of a "suburban" look and feel. Since we are in the city we will go with a bit more of an urban look. More Wicker Park than Naperville so to speak."

Says the guy opening a tattoo shop on Michigan Ave.

Anonymous said...

Yes, because all of Michigan ave is mainstream like it is in the loop and gold coast right? Tell that to the people in Bronzeville and s. loop.

There is nothing wrong with code of conduct. Cool place, just a different vibe.

Anonymous said...

Our neighborhood, roads specifically, are not conducive to Wicker Park-like development. Roads are too wide and is more car friendly than pedestrian friendly. Maybe that's where Bronzeville and Pilson come in.

Anonymous said...

I seriously hope a tatoo shop does not open up on Michigan Ave. It's going to make our neighborhood seem trashy . . . as would a pawn shop.

BRENDAN said...

i agree 100000%. How in their right mind would want a TATTOO shop ?? That doesnt exactly scream "class" now does it. This sort of thing belongs in wicker park.... not our neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

It didn't sound like just any old pawn shop it sounded like:

Pawn
Check cashing
Gold trading
Jewelry repair
Payday loans
Bail bonding

Please let me know if I forgot any thing significant.

It sounds like a "one-stop" shop to me

Anonymous said...

I believe that the "class" you all are looking for could be best found in a place like Schaumburg. I hear the places out there are cheap too! It's great to be you!

I agree that a city neighborhood like the s. loop may be too diverse and gritty for your high class and esteem.