Newswriting 301, Spring 2006

AN OLD PLACE WITH A NEW FACE
By: Amber Jones
You can reach this author by email at: a-jones4@northwestern.edu

Around the beginning of the 20th century a Chicago neighborhood known as the "Black Metropolis" served as one of the country's most important landmarks of African-American life. The population of this area, now called "Bronzeville," dramatically increased during the peak of the Great Migration. Thousands of African-Americans came to the area for industrial jobs in Chicago. Many famous people such as Ida B. Wells, Bessie Coleman, Louis Armstrong and Andrew "Rube" Foster of the Negro National Baseball League lived, worked and played in Bronzeville.

But later in the century losses of steel mill and stockyard jobs left thousands of people unemployed, according to the Web site of the Centers for New Horizons, a neighborhood organizing group. Eventually, Bronzeville became home to housing projects, poverty, uneducated people, drugs and violence. Now it is still struggling to become the rich and cultural neighborhood that it used to be.

Three el stops from U.S. Cellular Field where the Chicago White Sox play, this South Side neighborhood is finally beginning to experience rebirth and restoration. Bronzeville is changing and growing despite being surrounded by devastation and destruction. You can see abandoned lots and buildings, road construction signs and stores with barred windows from almost any corner. But one corner, located at 4655 South King Drive, has four local businesses that are gaining momentum in the midst of a community struggling to remain even at a stand still.

Spoken Word Café
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m./ Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m./ Saturday 12 p.m.-4 p.m./ closed on Sunday

Burnt sienna walls, black counter tops and sounds of a jazz band rehearsing greet you as you enter the Spoken Word Café. High top tables, green tablecloths and wood paneling all around bring about comfort and intimacy in this small hole-in-wall style café.

"It's usually quiet with some soft music playing. When it's cold outside, we have the fireplace going," says 18-year-old employee Derrick Caldwell.

Offering a variety of coffees, espressos and other beverages - even some baked goods and sandwiches- this location serves around 30 people a day. With space available for local bands to perform, this quiet spot provides many services for the community.

"Only thing we have regular is stepping class on Tuesday night and open mic on Saturday nights," Caldwell says.

Seventeen-year-old Juquarion Grimes works at the café, which according to him generally attracts middle-aged people, because he likes the atmosphere and because it keeps him occupied.

"Because it's my style and it keeps me out of trouble. I don't want to be on the streets with everybody else," Grimes says.

The facility is not only available for stepping classes and relaxation, but also hosts open mic events for the public to perform and be entertained.

Afrocentric Bookstore
Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday, 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m./ Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m./ closed on Sunday

Incense, African art pieces and pottery cling to the perimeter walls of the Afrocentric Bookstore, which bears the phrase, "Give the gift of knowledge...books" on its main window.

The reconstruction of the area brings more business for store owner Desiree Sanders, yet it still hasn't been as successful as the other store she had downtown. In business for 16 years, Sanders says that this neighborhood is nowhere near as successful as the second location she used to have on State Street - she operated both bookstores at the same time. But she says the restoring of the neighborhood helps out with the business she does receive.

"People are constantly moving into the neighborhood so that helps out a lot," Sanders says. "I've been in business awhile. This location has been in business for three years. It's up and down here."

And although business has proved to be unstable, there are still about 15-20 people who frequent the bookstore each day with ages ranging anywhere from 18-65, both men and women.

"Most of the books are current popular fiction and historical books," Sanders says.

But that's not all they have. Self-help books, autobiographies, romances and even African statues, wall pieces and small knickknacks can be bought from this store. If you are interested in finding eccentric African art pieces or books by African-American authors, you should come to this bookstore and browse the "Afrocentric" selection.

Jamaican Market Place, Inc.
Hours of Operation: Monday-Thursday 10 a.m.-6:30 p.m./ Friday- Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m./ closed on Sunday

Healing oils, flu-fighters, mauby bark and coconut milk don't even begin to describe what all is inside this neat Jamaican market. Each shelf stocked and every item evenly spaced, this clean and tidy market has many products that are brought into the country from Jamaica.

Grocery items aren't even the half of what this store is all about. Peach Hyde, the owner, is available to sell groceries and even give "counseling" about situations involving Jamaica, where she used to live more than 40 years ago.

"I had a death in the family and I need to get to Jamaica. But my passport has expired but my green card is active. What do I do?" a woman asks who enters the store in a hurry with her child.

Hyde talks to the woman for several minutes about options she has for getting to Jamaica, and the two resolve that the woman must get a temporary passport for all of her family to get to Jamaica and back safely.

Looking on the wall behind the counter as the two are talking, one notices three pictures displayed proudly. One is a picture of Hyde with former Jamaican Prime Minister P.J. Patterson. The next is a picture of Hyde with an unknown man and then Vice -President Al Gore. The last is a picture of Hyde with former Illinois governor Jim Edgar.

Located just upstairs above the store is the office for the Jamaican consul, Lloyd Hyde, who is the husband of this Jamaican store owner. The couple both operate out of the same building location. Lloyd Hyde dealing with Jamaican issues and relations, and his wife Peach Hyde selling Kola Champagne soft drinks downstairs.

Blu 47 Restaurant & Lounge
Hours of Operation: Tuesday- Saturday, Lunch 11 a.m. -3 p.m./ Tuesday- Sunday, Dinner 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m./ Sunday, Brunch 10 a.m.-3 p.m./ Sunday, Dinner 5 p.m.-10:30 p.m./closed on Monday

Red walls, art work behind the host stand and an art gallery to the left of the main entrance give this restaurant and lounge a very modern and upscale feel to it. Classy and with a definite ambiance, open ceilings and frosted windows, this place has a very "grown and sexy" appeal to it. A sign behind the host stand reads "Proper Attire Required."

"Mary J. Blige at 11?" someone says from inside the restaurant doors in preparation for the night's events.

Blu 47 is taking advantage of the opportunity to rebuild in this run-down neighborhood and is gaining success and popularity because of it.

"This is a growing, redeveloping area," Chef Eric Boyd says. "That's why the owner picked this area. You're doing it for the residents. They need a place to shop and a place to eat."

The restaurant and lounge sees a lot of people each day and is experiencing success. With options for lunch and dinner most days and a brunch on Sundays, many people have the opportunity to come out for fine dining or to come to the lounge for late night appetizers and drinks on the weekends.

"Well Thursday, Friday and Saturday we do 150 plus - about 150 to 200 people. Sunday we do brunch with about 100 people," says Executive Chef David Blackmon.

The crowd that is attracted by the Blu 47 restaurant and lounge also reflects the style and service of the restaurant itself.

"The food is contemporary American and we get middle-class [customers]," Boyd says.

From drinks to meat, art to music, Blu 47 will provide a sophisticated dining experience for all.

The restoration of Bronzeville proves to be a great opportunity for new businesses to start up and establish themselves. The reconstruction of Bronzeville brings hope to residents and new services to the area. Only a few el stops away from the U.S. Cellular Field, the businesses in Bronzeville are becoming champions much the same way the White Sox did last year.

(The video that accompanies this story is actually a musical tour of the four highlighted businesses. Enjoy!)