Greetings from the Sidewalk Observer

05/02/2010 9:06 PM

By Blagica Bottigliero

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Target Coming to the South Loop. Circa 2004

Hello CJ readers! I am thrilled to provide a report on my daily stroll around our neighborhoods. I'm going to use this blog, Sidewalk Observations, to focus on retail, shops and small businesses in and near the Loop -- the openings and closings, the critiques and conversations we have about these places. First, you may wonder, "Who are you and what do you know about neighborhood anything?"

I moved to Chicago in 1998. A recent college graduate, I didn't have much disposable income to my name. Once I discovered the CTA, I would zip across the city, creating personalized field trips for myself. Before I knew it, I got to know the real estate agents that were leasing retail space. I made friends with numerous shop owners and ran into the same beat cops who were always open to share their Single Living tips with me. It’s this ever-growing sense of curiosity that landed me in the South Loop in 2005.

I just read ‘The Devil in the White City’ and was completely intrigued with the city south of the Loop. On a brisk St. Patrick’s Day weekend, I hopped on the #151 bus from my Lakeview apartment, transferred to the #3 and landed on 11th Street. I started walking and snapping photos of the neighborhood. I ran into a few condos that were under construction (including the one that I write from this very evening), along with some Columbia students on the way to a dance rehearsal. There was an energy I picked up on – a mix of renewal and youth thrown in with civic history and 1970s urban planning. As I continued my journey through Printer’s Row – I knew the neighborhood was about to truly change. Target was coming.

Fast forward to May 2005 when I moved into my home on State Street. In the last five years, I got married, started a business (which almost worked), went back to the corporate world and became a mom. One thing that remained constant was my romance with hyper local information and knowing what is in my backyard. I am eager to share these insights with you, while getting to know you better. Whether you are a neighbor or upcoming shop owner, I hope our paths cross soon.

Until then, see you on the sidewalk.


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