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Does new Walgreen’s discount Andersonville’s charm?

August 31, 2011  /  By

Walgreen's storefront. Credit: Jeremy Bressman

As a disclaimer, the new Andersonville Walgreen’s (5440 N Clark)

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  • I was sad to see Walgreen end up in that space.

  • I don’t mind it one bit. If anything, the area north of Catalpa (including the Jewel) should be redone. It’s a big ole mess. :)

  • Stef Cirillo

    Really? And the McDonalds, Starbucks, Potbelly and Einstein Brothers didn’t make you fear for the future? Get a grip. Chicago is one of the few places where a local business can thrive right next to a major chain. But weeping about “suburbanization” is specious and silly considering the number of chain stores already extant in the neighborhood.

  • I wish people would back their black wrought iron fences with shrubbery or planter boxes. putting in a row of boxwood or barberry, or even some nice verbinium if kept well in check (don’t want to create a safety issue), would help to hide or at least beautify the black sea, and adding more trees and plants is always a benefit to any environment.

  • Dmitriy

    yeah yeah, big bad business, but look at what they’ve done to the building. It looks great now.

  • Karen

    Walgreens and Trader Joe’s are both chain stories.

    • The biggest difference is Walgreen’s was founded in Illinois.

  • Clarence Ewing

    I don’t mind the Walgreens so much. Chain stores can fit into a neighborhood like Andersonville. The Starbucks at Berwyn and Clark is an anchor for that area (although I do still miss the late Cafe Boost).

    I feel the kinds of businesses that take the most away from any neighborhood are banks and cell phone stores. I have nothing against North Community Bank or Verizon, but their store locations on

  • Anonymous

    I sure wish they would redo the Walgreens on Broadway, that store looks so old and gritty, I was wondering if they had it in mind that they are going to redo that one? The CVS’s on Broadway are much newer and cleaner so I tend to go there.

    • Edgebpe

      I have felt that about that Walgreen’s as well, but I also like that it is a remaining vestige of an older Chicago.

  • James Reed Johnson

    At least they kept the original building (which I believe was a Kroger or National in its inception), which they paid A LOT of money for – and this mojo for Trader Joe’s has got to ebb one of these days!

  • Edgebpe

    I agree I would like to see more greenery.

  • O.M.

    That lot and building are taxed at a much higher rate than most buildings along Clark because of the size of the lot and the fact buildings without rental units above are taxed at a higher rate.

  • LeRoy

    I believe the store building was originally an A&P grocery store…..interestingly,

  • John

    The building looks nice but they need more landscaping to improve the look of the parking lot. Same goes for Jewel.
    Off topic, Walgreens has one of the worst logos. If they took that off the building it would look way better.

    I was hoping a roller derby was going to go there.

  • anonymous

    Yea I get the old school factor but they just need to redo the awning, do touch ups,etc. That Walgreens on Broadway just needs to be remodeled a little bit, no need to demolish it.

  • Anonymous

    Does anyone know if this building used to be an A&P?

    • Djzack67

      Looks like an old A&P

  • Josh C

    Trader Joe’s would’ve been unique – THAT is the point.

  • Mike

    Josh – Trader Joe’s is unique? The “Osco” you mention across the street is a grocery store too…isn’t that the same as Trader Joe’s?

  • Lou Jacob

    I’m glad Walgreens is coming and in addition to providing a meaningful and valuable service to us, there are probably countless others who will benefit from it, as well.

  • Djzack67

    I think they have done a great job so far. More greenery would be nice

  • T Edgewater

    I agree about that stretch of Clark. It is very poorly planned and organized: too many curb cuts, too few trees, too much asphalt. It’s an eyesore. Compare this Jewel’s parking lot to that of the Jewel on Berwyn or the new Dominicks at Foster. Both have extensive landscaping and lots of trees. Why is this part of Clark so barren? It sucks the life out of the neighborhood and fractures the walkable, friendly part of Andersonville that begins around Ainsle/Clark…

    I don’t think it’s unfair to say the built environment of this area reeks of suburbia. It is designed for cars first and foremost, the hallmark of suburban planning. Community, walk-ability, green space, bikability, aesthetic concerns, etc. are all afterthoughts. There’s nothing historic or interesting about massive parking lots and multi-lane highways. Andersonville is supposed to be different.

  • ChiTownGuy81

    It’s Walgreen’s every right to put up shop in Andersonville, however if we are to protect the character of the neighborhood I would of rather seen the community and the Aldermen demand better landscaping and buffer requirements for the construction of this section of Clark.

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