Speaking of southward migrations in Andersonville, as we were a little earlier, the Clark Street retail scene has spilled past the neighborhood’s official southern boundary at Foster Avenue, extending to about Winnemac Avenue or Argyle Street over the past year or so. Some of the newcomers anchor condo developments along this stretch, and a couple are spinoffs of businesses that are thriving in nearby Lake View and other North Side neighborhoods.
Recent arrivals include a Jimmy John’s, 5109 N Clark, and Sir Spa For Men, 5151 N Clark. Marguerite Gardens opened a small outlet at 5059 N Clark in January, and Borderline Music moved into 5111 N Clark not so long ago. Foursided Custom Framing Gallery, 5061 N Clark, opened in fall 2006. La Donna Italian Cuisine, 5146 N Clark, has, of course, been on this stretch for years.
Given that the new Rainbo Village project, 4836 N Clark, will contain some retail, and other housing developments with some retail component between the 4700 and 4400 blocks of Clark, it feels as though the stretch of Clark Street between Lakeview and Andersonville, long dominated by wholesalers, is starting to fill in with new retail.
Local resident and Keller Williams Fox Realty agent, Maggie Finegan, notes that these wholesalers, who sell inexpensive clothes, purses and other items, enjoy robust trade but rising commercial rents may force some to move.