chi spark- NoChi is still the "culturally diverse" area you remember, but with a HUGE increase in hispanic families who (gasp) OWN THEIR HOMES slowly putting a dent in the Section 8 / ne'er do well renter market, we should see a turnarund shortly...

Like by the time I retire!

Seriously though, most of the political observers are waiting to see the black political block tumble like the slovanian/lithuanian one did in the late 60's-early 70's.

Oh well, I guess when you're at the bottom, there's nowhere else to go but up!

Now for the sad news...

Unfortunately, 10th St. Hardware is no more [Linked Image]

There used to be a Builder's Square @ Lewis & Belevedere - they closed, and Lowe's started sniffing around it just about the time Big Orange opened up in Gurnee. Rather than lose money to the competition, Orange bought the B2 property, expanded it, and opened up in it's place.

That was the final coffin nail for 10SH. They had better prices than 10SH could ever offer (nod to eswets), and, despite having guys who were "hardware legends" (ie they knew their arse from a hole in the wall), the overhead finally brough 'em down about 2 years ago.

Goodman Electric is still in business, however, and the guys are still as full of sh*t [Linked Image] as ever!

I actually thought about a p/t gig at Orange in the elevctrical department - every time I go in there, they're losing customers due to no staff to cut wire or answer questions.

However, I don't think that they're willing to pay a wage I'd accept, and I couldn't sell some H.O. Romex to install in Waukegan knowing it was illegal for him to do so...