Have you ever heard of Maxwell Street in Chicago?
It's a small Chicago street - or WAS one - with a very colorful history! If you live in Chicago, or ever lived here, you know at least some of its story.
As of last weekend, the famed Maxwell Street Market is relocating, for the second time since its move off Maxwell itself, back in 1994.
From the 1870's, this three-block street, as well as several surrounding side streets, radiating from Halsted Street on the West Side of Chicago, housed a street market that rivaled any old-fashioned, gritty flea market anywhere!
If you wanted an electric guitar. A kitchen sink. A set of tires. A men's suit and hat. Even a casket - you could come down to Maxwell Street and bargain for one.
And I do mean "bargain," as in dicker! Nobody paid the asking price - unless they wanted to get laughed at.
To this day, in fact, our Team has a standard line when ever a prospective Chicago-area client asks us to cut our Brokerage Fee (never call it "commission!) - "What do you think this is - Maxwell Street?" Long-time Chicagoans instantly know what I mean - and few fight further!
Most of the items available on Maxwell Street were procured legally, although cheaply. But others - DON'T ASK, according to the unwritten rule of the street!
Even if you've never been to Chicago, you've probably "touched" Maxwell Street.
See the original Blues Brothers movie? Remember the scene where Aretha Franklin jumped up on the counter to belt out "RESPECT?" That was at Nate's Deli on Maxwell Street - now a parking lot.
The Hill Street Blues Precinct House was actually an old Chicago Police Station, at the corner of Maxwell and Morgan Streets.
And countless Chicago historical photos, including the one above courtesy of Chuck Cowdery via his History of Maxwell Street Website, can be perused in any Chicago history book.
For many years, most Maxwell Street shops were run predominantly by Eastern European Jewish Immigrants and their descendants. Many business owners here could not find jobs elsewhere due to anti-semitisim and job discrimination in the early part of the last century. The market catered to anyone, from any socio-economic class or religious or ethnic group, looking for a deal, on virtually anything.
The old Maxwell Street Market closed 14 years ago, making way for an expansion of the University of Illinois at Chicago Campus, as well as high-end and mixed-use condos and apartments in the new University Village Neighborhood on the West Side of Chicago.
In fact, if you drive down Halsted Street in Chicago today, and look east at the South 1300 Block - you'll see a street named "Maxwell," with vintage-look Chicago storefronts, now sporting fashionable clubs and restaurants.
But these structures are merely replicas! They were built about 10 years ago - and their second floors are false - they are actually part of the University parking structure at the end of the block!
The entire old market moved to nearby Canal Street, just south of Roosevelt Road, to the east. A lot of the ambiance disappeared with the move, but the market, after a brief transition period, started doing well once again.
Now, for the second time in 14 years, the market is on the move once again. Starting Sunday, September 14th, The New Maxwell Street Market will reside in the 600-1200 Blocks of South Des Plaines Street, just a little to the west of Canal, and closer to the Dan Ryan Expressway. It will be only open Sundays, from 7AM to 3PM.
Why the move?
Well, as is the case in many Chicago Neighborhoods, the area is "gentrifying." The new, chic, 21st Century businesses, as well as big-box Target, Kohl's, and Best Buy's, just don't like the idea of being located too close to a flea market, even if it is a Legendary Flea Market.
So, the market moves. But things just won't be the same.
In fact - it never really was, ever since the move from the original, true Maxwell Street!
See our post today @ BlogChicagoHomes.com for more detail, including my personal Maxwell Street Story (it will make you laugh - I guarantee it!) Our post links to Jeff Long's story in last Sunday's Chicago Tribune for more reminiscing, and quotes by a few of the old Maxwell Street vendors and patrons.
DEAN & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
Comments(3)