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“…Michigan Avenue is just another mall, with food courts and you’ve-seen-it-all-before goods. These days almost all of the stores are national chains, and some of them even have multiple locations on this great street. Much of the interesting architecture has been overshadowed by new high-rise construction, and, worse, some of the classic buildings have been torn down.“
- Margaret Littman, writing on MSNBC’s “The Worst Things About My City”
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{ 11 comments }
Sadly, she’s right. I’m old enough to remember when the Mile really WAS Magnificent…as recently as the 1970s, just before Water Tower Place started to re-shape the retail environment. There were one-of-a-kind boutiques selling everything from clothing to jewelry, including a long-gone “courtyard mall” with several stores surrounding a garden/rest area. (I think it was in the 600 block.) Some would say that the first Mag Mile McDonald’s (corner of Superior) was the beginning of the end. I disagree…after buying all that expensive stuff maybe you couldn’t afford a gourmet meal!…and the architecture was small-scale and in good taste. Which is more than I can say for Disney, Nike and other big-box monstrosities.
At least she didn’t beat that overdressed-but-comatose horse known as Navy Pier…
There’s a plaza just north of and next to the Wrigley Building with a statue of Benito Juarez in it. It opens onto Michigan Ave. It is completely disgusting, with garbage, overflowing trash cans and huge puddles of water that last for days. I happen to work near it, so I see it all the time. It’s a total disgrace.
And the recent thing I’ve heard is the Virgin Store is going away, to be replaced by a Forever 21. Michigan Ave. is now a typical mall choked with traffic.
anon,
You’ll probably remember a romantic restaurant in that mall – by the name of Jacques, if I recall correctly.
I remember when Water Tower Place used to be special and glamorous. When they had Rizzoli and other cool stores.
Virgin is going way?!?! That is hard to believe! Where else in Chicago can you shop for music and dvds?! That is where I get all my media!
and by media I mean Imports and Electoric/Dance!
Virgin actually had a great selection. Anything you wanted. But iTunes has everything you want to. So do a lot of other outlets. Amazon even has a feature where it can tell you what other people who bought your selection have bought. They even offer to package them together. And they let you hear everything. And you don’t have to stand in lines or brave through crowds. And they even sell things used. That’s what happened to Virgin. And Tower. And all of the little record and video stores. Killed first by the likes of Best Buy, then finally the retailers. Bank of America also has an incredible branch of Michigan Avenue. Like 4,000 kiosks and no people. You can go in and not deal with anyone! It’s great.
Michigan Avenue exists for people on vacation. People on holiday who would like to go to Tokyo but are either a.)not able to afford it b.)not able to sit on a 22 hour flight. I fall into both of those categories, though “a” is the primary reason.
There is always Times Sqaure woodlawn…
I agree too, that the only time I hit the the Mag Mile is when friends are in from out of state/overseas.
The Hotels are still reasonable, however, in the national big city sense.
My travelling friends always find deals at the Intercontinental etc… and love their stays.
My European friends get a kick at how happy and zippy the Starbucks is across Michigan Ave form the hotel. Good ol’ USA customer service!
Half caf skim latte extra hot comin’ up!!
Hey Woodlawn – doesn’t Boul Mich also have a lot of tourists FROM Tokyo traversing its sidewalks, usually with several cameras in tow? At least that was the joke back in the 80’s.
And yes, I remember Jacques’ (so does EVERY Ferris Bueller fan!), and Charmet’s – a nice unpretentious coffee shop with awesome chicken salad.
And the original Elizabeth Arden Red Door salon, the mother of all “day spas.” Going to Red Door, even if only for a cut & style, was an important coming-of-age ritual for a Chicago teen.
BTW Jeff…where again is the statue of Bob “Hartley” Newhart?
city gal-
It used to be on Michigan near Hubbard for a short while, but I believe they moved it… I think I heard it was going to go to Navy Pier, not sure though.
Thank you for remembering our family restaurant,
Charmet’s at the Water Tower..we miss it, too…but we have all the fond memories..
of you, our customers (and friends), and hope you are all doing well.
I wrote this for the sign on the window….
(does anyone remember?)
but left out one thing,
Twas 2 months before Christmas,
and all through the city,
the people were saying
‘it sure is a pity’.
Charmet’s will be closed,
‘oh golly, oh gee’
‘we won’t even see
their Christmas Tree’.
So, for all of you elves
and Santas and friends.
We want you to know,
that this is the end.
Please drop in to see us
for Christmas cheer.
‘cuz come December,
we won’t be here.
And, what I forgot was
P.S. Happy Hanukah, too
Would love to hear from you….please write !
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