changes in our neighborhood business districts

We're seeing changes in our neighborhood business districts - losses and gains of both independent and chain businesses.

Blossom Boys is gone from 99th and Walden. I've appreciated their mix of merchandise and the love that Steve and Ryan brought to the business. I will miss seeing them on Walden.

Potbelly sandwich shop is leaving the corner it has occupied at 95th and Western for a few years to move across Western to a new space at the revamped Evergreen Plaza. That will leave the recently constructed retail building at 95th and Western without tenants. It has always been an awkward fit on that corner. The location is very car centric, but has a parking lot that is awkward to access due to traffic volume there, with solid backups from the intersection more often than not. It's also a location close enough to home that I don't really want to drive there, while traffic around it doesn't make it very pleasant as a walking or biking destination.

Wild Blossom Meadery will be opening a new tasting room on the eastern edge of Beverly soon.

Ain't She Sweet is opening soon at 99th and Western. I've been enjoying the food at their Bronzeville location on 43rd St. for a few years now and I'm looking forward to their new location in Beverly.

Open Outcry Brewing will open on Western south of County Fair, giving us a second brewpub in the neighborhood.

A few neighborhood businesses have been affected by tax woes. Friends and neighbors saved Cullinan's Stadium Club with a GoFundMe campaign to pay past due taxes. Mt. Greenwood Hardware, a longtime favorite for old house needs, has reopened briefly for a liquidation sale before it's gone forever. Kiddie Kouture is closed. It's unknown whether it will reopen.

Barraco's new catering/event space is under construction on 95th St.  Down the street, the former Borders location was given a new life as an Advocate Health clinic for seniors.

Laine's Bake Shop's new storefront in Morgan Park has gotten off to a good start. I love their peach cobbler and other delicious treats.

I'm curious to see what other changes come to our neighborhood business districts in 2017.