"There goes the neighborhood — the first one in Chicago and it has to be near my house — ARGGGGGHHHHH.”

That’s the email I received from Lake View resident Scott Dunlap, referring to the not one, but two Walmarts coming into his ’hood (they’re not the city’s first however, there is a Walmart in the Austin community already). One will be a 14,000-square-foot Walmart Express Store, a new food model near Walgreens north of Addison Street, and the other will be built at Broadway and Surf.

“I can make my own PEOPLE OF WALMART videos now — LOL,” continued Dunlap. “Walgreens, CVS, Jewel and 7-Eleven are peeing in their pants.”

Ok, I admit, I like Walmart when I’m trying to save money on things like hangers or toilet paper. But I’m also well aware of how very important it is to shop the places keeping our neighborhoods alive, the mom-and-pop stores.

That’s why I urge you to spend some bucks this weekend at the Armitage Halsted Webster Merchant Association’s 16th annual sidewalk sale. Keep in mind that for every $100 spent, $68 stays in the community through taxes, payroll and other expenditures.

More than 20 shops will sell their wares at this good old-fashioned sidewalk sale, sponsored by the Armitage Halsted Webster Association, a volunteer group of local business owners who banded together to promote local shopping initiatives. People will find amazing deals (as much as 75 percent off) from a collection of some of the most original and unique stores in Chicago, said Alice Lerman, who opened the pet boutique Barker & Meowsky in 1998 at 1003 W. Armitage Ave.

Lerman said both the independent and nationally-owned stores on Armitage, Halsted and Webster participating in the sale will offer “products that can’t be found just anywhere in one of the most beautiful shopping areas of the city.”

“Local stores are a part of the neighborhood’s heart and soul, those who own and work at these businesses have a strong connection with their neighborhood and with their customers,” said Lerman. “The resulting level of one-on-one customer service and quality in both choice and options in merchandise and services are born out of a passion and not just a business model.”

Be sure to also hit the 43rd Annual Sheffield Garden Walk & Festival right around the corner. It’s a great weekend to celebrate and enjoy the Lincoln Park community, said Lerman, also a committee member of the Armitage Halsted Webster Association.

And if you go and your sweet tooth is calling, please stop by the Sweet Miss Givings food truck, which will be on hand with baked goods and cupcakes. All their proceeds benefit the Lincoln Park-based Chicago House, which provides permanent, community-based housing, supportive services, and prevention outreach to individuals and families struggling with HIV/AIDS.

‘A significant milestone’… is what Diversey Harbor Lakeview Association executive director Gene Fisher called the impressive marker reached in the fourth year of the association’s partnership with the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce, when the 10,000th cost-free copy of the Chamber’s popular annual neighborhood guides was delivered to residents of Diversey Harbor’s member buildings. Fisher also took on an additional assignment at the request of 43rd Ward Ald. Michele Smith: He’s determining the street resurfacing priorities of his members’ buildings.

Happy Birthday wishes… to 91-year-old photographer extraordinaire and Lake View resident Lee Balterman, a former La Salle Elementary School student and a 1938 graduate of Lake View High School. Lee started as an army photographer and later freelanced for publications such as Life and Sports Illustrated. His studio at Michigan and Walton saw his war images, past presidents, Chicago mayors, sports and movie stars, 1968 riots and more. Here’s wishing Lee many happy more.

---

By Anonymous from Boystown
Posted: 07/21/2011 10:19 AM

Your facts are wrong. There are no plans for a Walmart on the Dominick's site you're talking about. Walmart has a lease signed and started modifications at a property where Broadway and Clark intersect with Diversey.