Renaissance on Division

One of the great things about living in a city is that it’s constantly changing.  Now that the good weather has settled into Chicago (despite our recent snowy days in April), it’s the perfect time to explore and find new gems just around the corner.

Since owning the Alliance Bakery, I’ve had a love affair with Division Street.  Division is the border between Ukranian Village and Wicker Park neighborhoods.  It’s just a couple of blocks south of the Wicker Park Inn.  It has wide open sidewalks that make it a prime avenue for outdoor patios.  From March to November, people crowd sidewalk cafes and restaurants, drinking bottomless mimosas and feasting on brunch goodies.  There’s a contagious energy that instantly washes away any bad resentments you’ve been harboring against Chicago all winter.

                 

And best of all, Division Street has been experiencing a recent Renaissance as of late. Old favorites like Smoke Daddy, Bangers & Lace, and Milk & Honey are seeing new neighbors pop up like Fox Trot, Bonchon, Yolk, Colectivo Coffee and even a neighborhood Target Store.

                   

Division has come a long way from the days when I owned the Alliance Bakery and I’m excited to see that its coming into its own.  More importantly, I love seeing others appreciating the beauty of this grand street.