Maxwell Street Market venue moving again

Just caught this at the Trib's web site:

Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune wrote:The Maxwell Street Market was held for the last time on Canal Street on Sunday as the city moves vendors next week a few blocks away to Desplaines Street, a change that will take the market even farther from its eclectic roots.

For about 120 years, the market was on Maxwell Street, stretching west from Halsted Street. In 1994, it moved to Canal Street, the victim of expansion by a more politically connected institution, the University of Illinois at Chicago.

At the time, some mourned the loss of a vibrant part of city history. But many vendors eventually came to be comfortable with the tighter security on Canal Street, and they could appreciate the tighter regulation that made the market more respectable.

Maxwell Street Market is on the move again

Hmmm . . . less space for vendors, less adjacent parking. Why do I get the feeling that the Maxwell Street Market doesn't rank very highly in Mayor Daley's quest for 2016 Olympic gold?

=R=

To me- it's really short sighted of Daley, and his administration- in such tough economic times- as to deprive folks of a means to get ahead.

Maxwell Street, in it's heyday, provided an Economic Stepping Stone to so many immigrants, and their offspring.
Not only a springboard from which to "Move-On-Up" the Economic Ladder of life-
but a much better/more Hands on approach to learning how to "sell", and please a customer-
all basic elements of Business, that are not taught at ANY MBA program!

Keep Maxwell Street alive-
and lets lobby for a move to a more "special" unique Marketplace- year round "Entrepreneur Zone"!

Didn't the city announce this planned move in 2005? Why is this being treated like new news?

eatchicago wrote:Didn't the city announce this planned move in 2005? Why is this being treated like new news?

Hey! Don't shoot the messenger! It was news to me

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:Hmmm . . . less space for vendors, less adjacent parking. Why do I get the feeling that the Maxwell Street Market doesn't rank very highly in Mayor Daley's quest for 2016 Olympic gold?
=R=

I'm guessing the forced march of the Maxwell Street Market is probably, as suggested in the article, due more to the influence of johnny-come-lately retail places like Whole Foods, etc., not wanting a flea market on their increasingly gentrified street.

I had to laugh at the guy who was nostalgic for hot dogs and polishes and said, lamenting, "Today, you have a lot of taco stands." I like hot dogs and polishes, too, but compared to the Mexican offerings, those MSM standbys seem so one-dimensional.

Hammond

David Hammond wrote: I like hot dogs and polishes, too, but compared to the Mexican offerings, those MSM standbys seem so one-dimensional.

Oh man. Don't be a hot dog hatta'!

stevez wrote:

David Hammond wrote: I like hot dogs and polishes, too, but compared to the Mexican offerings, those MSM standbys seem so one-dimensional.

Oh man. Don't be a hot dog hatta'!

Not at all, but I think with a dog, it's mostly craft and little art. You steam (or simmer )the dog; you steam the bun; add some condiments, bada-bing, done. You could train a chimp to do that...and I say that with no disrespect intended toward our fellow primates.

ronnie_suburban wrote:

eatchicago wrote:Didn't the city announce this planned move in 2005? Why is this being treated like new news?

Hey! Don't shoot the messenger! It was news to me

Sorry. If I was shooting any messenger it's the "old media" in town. They published articles all over the place like this is the first they've heard of it, when they've been writing about how the city is working on a new home on desplaines ave. for years now.

I just thought it was odd that the articles made no mention of the original plan and announcement from 2005, which was supposed to include a permanent statue honoring the market. Also, the articles back then were spun in a way that made it seem like vendors were happy about the move.

Best,
Michael

eatchicago wrote:I just thought it was odd that the articles made no mention of the original plan and announcement from 2005, which was supposed to include a permanent statue honoring the market.

Not sure about any statues, but there is (and has been for at least the last year or so) a large permanent(ish) sign on the east side of Des Plaines by the Greyhound depot.

I don’t believe that it’s possible to draw comparisons between the original Maxwell Street Market and what is today known as the Maxwell Street Market. The original market was not by any means a food destination but rather an entertainment adventure. The shoe stores, the jewelry stores, the hat store across from Jim’s, Smokey Joe’s for suede and leather jackets, the guys selling miscellaneous tools and radio parts and of course the ever present gentleman selling watches off of his arm as well as fake ID’s. The Market was a multiethnic venue that provided unlimited people watching as well as interaction with African Americans, Jews., Italians, Irish, Polish et al as well as whatever nationality Jim is (I believe Yugoslavian).
It was also about great Blues.

The Polish sausages, hot dogs and pork chop sandwiches were just an added benefit to the overall experience. The only time Maxwell Street became a major food destination was after Hawks games and when the Rush St. Bars closed. Then the throngs would converge on the corner of Maxwell and Halsted along with Chicago’s finest, all shooting the shit while eating their bounty from the hoods of their cars.

Today’s Market, (based on my experience) is totally a food destination with an outstanding array of Mexican specialties. The Flea Market itself with all of the same goods and same bargaining traditions, can be found (like TGI Fridays) in any city in the Southwest as well as any Resort area in Mexico. As far as diversity there is plenty as long as it is Hispanic.

At the risk of appearing one dimensional, If they do build a statue I hope it is of Bluesman eating a Polish rather than a Mariachi eating Eyeball Tacos.

Marshall K wrote:Today’s Market, (based on my experience) is totally a food destination with an outstanding array of Mexican specialties. The Flea Market itself with all of the same goods and same bargaining traditions, can be found (like TGI Fridays) in any city in the Southwest as well as any Resort area in Mexico.

The flea market and bargaining tradtions may be common in the Southwest, but much less so here. I don't know where else in Chicago I'd go to get framed pictures of Scarface.

David Hammond wrote:I don't know where else in Chicago I'd go to get framed pictures of Scarface.

My basement.

I should note Colleen Rush, aka Crrush, has a an informative guide to the new Maxwell Street in this weeks Time Out

Moving Maxwell
Find your favorite stands at the new incarnation of Chicago’s legendary market—or discover what you’ve been missing all this time.

ronnie_suburban wrote:Just caught this at the Trib's web site:

Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune wrote:The Maxwell Street Market was held for the last time on Canal Street on Sunday as the city moves vendors next week a few blocks away to Desplaines Street, a change that will take the market even farther from its eclectic roots.

For about 120 years, the market was on Maxwell Street, stretching west from Halsted Street. In 1994, it moved to Canal Street, the victim of expansion by a more politically connected institution, the University of Illinois at Chicago.

At the time, some mourned the loss of a vibrant part of city history. But many vendors eventually came to be comfortable with the tighter security on Canal Street, and they could appreciate the tighter regulation that made the market more respectable.

Maxwell Street Market is on the move again

Hmmm . . . less space for vendors, less adjacent parking. Why do I get the feeling that the Maxwell Street Market doesn't rank very highly in Mayor Daley's quest for 2016 Olympic gold?

=R=

According to the Department of Consumer Services, there is actually 15% more room for vendors at the new market location: http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Conte ... ioID=28743

David Hammond wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:Just caught this at the Trib's web site:

Jeff Long, Chicago Tribune wrote:The Maxwell Street Market was held for the last time on Canal Street on Sunday as the city moves vendors next week a few blocks away to Desplaines Street, a change that will take the market even farther from its eclectic roots.

For about 120 years, the market was on Maxwell Street, stretching west from Halsted Street. In 1994, it moved to Canal Street, the victim of expansion by a more politically connected institution, the University of Illinois at Chicago.

At the time, some mourned the loss of a vibrant part of city history. But many vendors eventually came to be comfortable with the tighter security on Canal Street, and they could appreciate the tighter regulation that made the market more respectable.

Maxwell Street Market is on the move again

Hmmm . . . less space for vendors, less adjacent parking. Why do I get the feeling that the Maxwell Street Market doesn't rank very highly in Mayor Daley's quest for 2016 Olympic gold?

=R=

According to the Department of Consumer Services, there is actually 15% more room for vendors at the new market location: http://www.chicagopublicradio.org/Conte ... ioID=28743

Thanks, David. I guess that's 15% room to accomodate additional vendors, not 15% more space for previously-exisiting vendors. I should have been more specific when commenting on the story I linked above. In any case, the factoid to which I referred was a quote from a disgruntled vendor, not official information.

=R=

David Hammond wrote:

Marshall K wrote:Today’s Market, (based on my experience) is totally a food destination with an outstanding array of Mexican specialties. The Flea Market itself with all of the same goods and same bargaining traditions, can be found (like TGI Fridays) in any city in the Southwest as well as any Resort area in Mexico.

The flea market and bargaining tradtions may be common in the Southwest, but much less so here. I don't know where else in Chicago I'd go to get framed pictures of Scarface.

That reminds me. I have never been able to figure out why they put Scarface who I believe is Columbian, Puerto Rican or whatever, in a picture with all Italian mobsters. By the way, I got mine at Market Days

Marshall K wrote:

David Hammond wrote:

Marshall K wrote:Today’s Market, (based on my experience) is totally a food destination with an outstanding array of Mexican specialties. The Flea Market itself with all of the same goods and same bargaining traditions, can be found (like TGI Fridays) in any city in the Southwest as well as any Resort area in Mexico.

The flea market and bargaining tradtions may be common in the Southwest, but much less so here. I don't know where else in Chicago I'd go to get framed pictures of Scarface.

That reminds me. I have never been able to figure out why they put Scarface who I believe is Columbian, Puerto Rican or whatever, in a picture with all Italian mobsters. By the way, I got mine at Market Days

Al Pacino, Italiano, playing Cubano.

New and Relocated Maxwell Street Market

Much endures, bigger, expanded, more comfortable .



Yet, here and there, a bold and stunning effort toward greater diversity.

Marshall K wrote:I have never been able to figure out why they put Scarface who I believe is Columbian, Puerto Rican or whatever, in a picture with all Italian mobsters. By the way, I got mine at Market Days

The 1983 movie "Scarface" staring Pacino was about a Cuban, but "Scarface" was a nickname for Al Capone, on whom the original 1932 film was based. Who's in the posters?

David Hammond wrote:Yet, here and there, a bold and stunning effort toward greater diversity.

I'm happy to see Doggies George has returned to continue the long but now endangered tradition of hot dogs at the Maxwell Street Market.

Maxwell Market on Canal Street, June 2008

Old and New

What’s old: same sign, same offerings; eyeball tacos endure.



What’s new: kid doing elementary gymnastics for tips. This kind of street performance, I just love. The kid was not terribly talented, but he was really trying, and he was selling what he had. He got a buck from me for walking on his hands maybe a foot or so.

Hi,

What are the recommendations on parking now?

Thanks!

Regards,

Cathy2 wrote:Hi,

What are the recommendations on parking now?

Thanks!

Regards,

Parking seems a little more difficult but not horrible. I believe there's a $4 lot behind Dominick's, but there's so much movement on these streets, with people coming and going, that 10 or so minutes of driving around will probably net you a space on the street. From what I can tell, there's not much point in searching for parking on the west side of the expressway; seems like there's lots of no parking zones around U of I.

Cathy2 wrote:What are the recommendations on parking now?

Ironically, you can now PARK at the old-old Maxwell Street--the parking structure there charges $6.75/all day; 1-11/2 hours/$4.75.

I always have at least one extra parking permit for our street (Jefferson/18th), for any LTHer who PMs me. The new location is more of a walk now, but if you hate paying for parking, it's available...

Higher vendor fees could 'finish off' Maxwell Street

While the annual fee didn't strike me as too bad, the daily fees listed here are really exessive: why doesn't Chicago just charge a nominal fee for the stupid jumping jacks?

Mhays wrote:Higher vendor fees could 'finish off' Maxwell Street

While the annual fee didn't strike me as too bad, the daily fees listed here are really exessive: why doesn't Chicago just charge a nominal fee for the stupid jumping jacks?

Doubling the fees is a hard increase and it will, of course, hit smaller vendors hardest. I doubt that it will have much impact on larger food operations, but those who will really feel it will be the folks selling things like masking tape and used tools.

True, but the food vendors are there for the people who come for the masking tape and tools. This is very disappointing to me and just another example of the administrations' greed.

I think that's too general of a response: the City's in a budget crisis, just like we are in Evanston. They have to either cut services or raise fees: nobody's going to allow them to raise taxes. The jumping jack program is one of those services that everybody likes and nobody wants to cut - but, let's face it, it's not really a good use of tax dollars.

It's unfortunate that the 400 screaming people who will come down to City Hall demanding their afternoon with the free Jumping Jack will probably get their way, while the vendors who are unlikely to complain about it for fear of losing their spot at the Market probably won't.

I thought this was a joke, at first. Seriously? The city would essentially shut down a few businesses for the sake of a Moonwalk?

Mhays wrote:It's unfortunate that the 400 screaming people who will come down to City Hall demanding their afternoon with the free Jumping Jack will probably get their way, while the vendors who are unlikely to complain about it for fear of losing their spot at the Market probably won't.

I'll join any Maxwell St. vendor/customer rally or city meeting if this increase is up for debate.

Marshall K wrote:That reminds me. I have never been able to figure out why they put Scarface who I believe is Columbian, Puerto Rican or whatever, in a picture with all Italian mobsters. By the way, I got mine at Market Days

Scarface is universal, beloved by young and old:

Maxwell Street Market Moving To ‘Original Home’ After 15 Years In South Loop

https://blockclubchicago.org/2024/05/16 ... outh-loop/