OUR LOCAL BUSINESS

The Pandemic Legacy

The sad fate of local businesses is shown everywhere in the neighborhood. For Rent, For Lease, and For Sale signs can be seen in abundance within a few blocks of where I live. Yes, some of these businesses had failed already or would have failed, but there have been no takers for their empty storefronts and buildings. The Wall Street Journal recently stated “200,000 U.S. establishments above historical levels” closed permanently in the first year of the pandemic.  Many needed help they could not get under the previous administration.

On a recent trip to a neighborhood supermarket, I took my camera for some pictures along Montrose Avenue for about a mile east and half a mile west of where I live. I also grabbed one around the corner on Kedzie. Even if you are not from our city, you may have encountered the loss of local business as well. The is a part of our pandemic legacy.

2434 West Montrose. There have been many businesses here over the years.

2400 block of Montrose Avenue

2450. Built before the pandemic.

Jeri’s Grill at Montrose and Western. Closed after 57 years.

2825 W. Montrose

2835. No skateboarding in this rarely used lot!

2840 W Montrose

2852. Permit on the door for remodeling pre-dates Pandemic.

2801. A long-empty business has found no takers.

Corner of Montrose and Richmond. The businesses closed and the old buildings torn down during the pandemic.

2934 W. Montrose

2946. It had been a popular food delivery service.

Montrose and Sacramento strip mall. It was built before the pandemic and has no occupants.

3010. A mixed-use building was to be constructed in 2020.

3115 W. Montrose.

Montrose and Trip.

3142. No more bike sales or rentals.

3146. No income tax help “en español.”

Montrose Avenue

4409 N. Kedzie, just a little north of Montrose.

The fate of Montrose Avenue, Chicago.

Click on any picture above to go through the full size of each one in the gallery. Be sure to stop at SERENDIPITY for more on “Our Pandemic Legacy.”

Source: “Covid-19’s Toll on U.S. Business? 200,000 Extra Closures in Pandemic’s First Year,” by Ruth Simon, The Wall Street Journal, wsj.com, April 16, 2021.
See also: “Our Pandemic Legacy,” What We Learned So Far, SERENDIPITY, teepee12.com, May 9, 2021.