I walked passed the old strip yesterday and noted that the back and roof the old Alley store had been torn down, leaving up only the facade. Seeing daylight shining out through those windows was quite surreal!
Yeah, the design of the new building will stand out like a sore thumb on Belmont and Clark, almost as much as that Belmont Army store across the street. All things come to an end, I guess. It definitely detracts from the supposed alternative appeal of the area.
I have friends who are fond of the Alley, but I myself have never frequented the store. I'm still mourning the loss of 99th Floor on Halsted, which I haven't seen open in over four years. Maybe they're just taking a reeeeeally long smoke break. Who knows.
It definitely detracts from the supposed alternative appeal of the area.
I'm not sure there's much alternative appeal left. I mean, people will still come to the main Alley store, and a few holdovers like Gallery Bookstore and Ragstock will probably be around for a while. But I'm fairly sure that, as years go on, the entire strip is going to look more an more like the new Belmont Army.
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Yeah, the design of the new building will stand out like a sore thumb on Belmont and Clark, almost as much as that Belmont Army store across the street. All things come to an end, I guess. It definitely detracts from the supposed alternative appeal of the area.
I have friends who are fond of the Alley, but I myself have never frequented the store. I'm still mourning the loss of 99th Floor on Halsted, which I haven't seen open in over four years. Maybe they're just taking a reeeeeally long smoke break. Who knows.
Nice write up. Mind if I share?
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I'm not sure there's much alternative appeal left. I mean, people will still come to the main Alley store, and a few holdovers like Gallery Bookstore and Ragstock will probably be around for a while. But I'm fairly sure that, as years go on, the entire strip is going to look more an more like the new Belmont Army.
Nice write up.
Thank you.
Mind if I share?
Not at all - go right ahead.
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Great post. Agree that the new, planned building doesn't fit the character or architecture of the neighborhood. End of an era indeed.
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