by Mike Oelrich
The Chicago-Main Newsstand, at 860 Chicago (at Main) in Evanston, Illinois
reopened on June 14th, after having been shuttered for over 7 years.
Chicago-Main had been perhaps the Midwest’s premier newsstand for most
of the 20th Century. Opening in the 1930s, the construction began on the
current brick structure in the 1950s. It was known for having the widest
selection of magazines and newspapers in the Chicago area. People came
from as far away as southern Wisconsin to buy periodicals there. It closed
in September 1993 after a rent dispute with the landlord. |
From left to right: Joe Angelastri, new owner of
Chicago-Main Newsstand; Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton; Tom Levy, son of
Jim Levy who owned the stand from 1884-1993; Rocco Sapienza, nephew of
Victor Pinto, original owner who opened the stand in the 1930s; Theresa
Pinto Brown Ruby, daughter of Pinto; and Evanston 3rd Ward Alderman
Melissa Wynne |
| Last year the City
of Evanston bought the property. At one point they were considering razing
the building and extending the park next door. Eric Singer, owner of the
Lucky Platter restaurant down the street from Chicago-Main and 3rd ward
Alderman Melissa Wynne got Joe Angelastri, owner of City Newsstand in
Chicago, involved in the project. “It was a real
shame seeing this great newsstand lay empty all these years,” said Mr.
Angelastri. “I had based much of what I do at City Newsstand on what I’d
seen there. I’m proud to have been chosen to be the one to reopen the
Chicago-Main Newsstand. It’s a terrific
opportunity.”
Evanston architect Dave Forte was called upon to bring
the old brick newsstand into the 21st century. After bringing the original
structure down to just 2 walls and the foundation, a new steel support
structure was erected, a glass and aluminum storefront was installed, a
higher roof was implemented to allow more natural light in through high
windows on the north wall. Another task for the new operators was
acquiring the original neon sign, having it refurbished and re-hung on a
newly erected standard.
The new Newsstand upholds Chicago-Main’s long
tradition of having the largest selection of periodicals on the North
Shore, in fact one of the largest anywhere. Conveniently located next to
the CTA purple line Main Street station, as well as the Metra station,
Chicago-Main is once again a destination in itself as it carries thousands
of magazines and dozens of newspapers difficult, if not impossible, to
find elsewhere. If you haven’t already seen it, you owe it to yourself
to take a look!
(For more pictures and information click
here. ) |
