An Empty Cart

The politics are still dancing in Lakeview. Almost a year after Dominick's supermarket burned down, the question as to whether or not the grocery store will return to the empty lot still lingers. I remember taking the bus home from work that day and wondering what that cloud of smoke was. A walk down to the site this afternoon also revealed that The Pleasure Chest was closing its Chicago location. I can only speculate as to whether or not the parking garage it is attached to may be slated for demolition in favor of condominiums.

A walk in Andersonville on Sunday night proved to me that Lakeview may have the most gay bars but the lack of diversity in restaurants and shops alone have signaled the transformation is happening there. Honestly if one more nail bar opens its doors I'm going to scream- not that I don't like a good mani/pedi every now and again. I am grateful that Ping Pong will soon be expanded and that the owners sister restaurant Wakamono is a welcome addition to the neighborhoods landscape.

Dominick's, which is now owned by Safeway, does not own the property. It is owned by a descendant of the chain's founder, and the two sides have been negotiating over terms of a return. According to Alderman Tom Tunney, money has played a major role as real estate prices continue to increase.