May 2008: Mama J's #Ward09 #tbt

UPDATE March 27, 2025 - Earlier this month I snapped some shots along Michigan Avenue and will share the shot of this place at a later time. This building is boarded up currently, which is a shame. When I was in school a classmate lived in the apartments above and I had visited him occasionally. I knew another classmate - who's since passed away - who was said to be connected with the family that owned Mama J's. I only wonder what happened to the business and the family that owned it and how the building is now basically abandoned.

Originally posted to The Sixth Ward on May 14, 2008. And with some of the shots around Roseland Heights taken over the years I wouldn't mind trying to recreate some of these shots!
 This is near 98th and Michigan. Known for their Jones hamburgers. I haven't patronized this business in years and at that this was when I was much younger. I wish I could give you a review of how good the burgers and service was here.

Perhaps I might do that in the near future. I do know that this place didn't always look like this and that this place certainly doesn't have the window lettering it does now! It's been a while since I paid attention to this place.

Here's a shot of this place now!

The RoseBowl in Roseland #tbt

11517 S. Michigan Ave

Years and years ago on Michigan Avenue, Roseland had a bowling alley. You could take the bus there directly on Michigan. If I could single-handedly redevelop the Michigan Avenue drag it would be somewhere that is walkable.

Go to the movies, restaurants, retail, professional services, etc right on Michigan Avenue and some other streets such as 111th or 115th. If this business still existed could it benefit from the Red Line extension?

The RoseBowl itself I had to Google where it was located and the address is posted below the photograph. Unfortunately today it's just another vacant lot right across the street from yet another vacant lot. Though since I mentioned the Red Line extension, one day this might be part of transit-oriented development.

Photo found via VanishedChicagoland on FB.

Do you support recalling a Chicago Mayor?

 This recent post by CapFax talks about the current movement to recall a Chicago Mayor and the history of such a movement.

Three Sisters on Michigan Avenue #tbt

 Another photo found through the Roseland History Facebook group. This photo is undated though I do remember the Three Sisters chain which had locations throughout the city.

This photo I really like because these days the shopping area on Michigan Avenue seems depressed boarded up and those business that are open are often locked up with burglar bars when they're closed for the evening. And you see wide open windows with displays and this would be a nice thing to find in the neighborhood at least for those businesses which would be benefit from this.

#fbf Gately's People's Store

 The above photo is undated probably 1960s or 1970s. As you may know this building was lost after a fire back in the summer of 2019. The fire created a vacant lot.

I found this photo in the Roseland History FB group. Some recall donuts in the basement of this store. Another commented that they want to bring back "The Ave" which is what they called the shopping strip along South Michigan Avenue.

I'm curious what happened to the Gately's sign as it was an easily recognizable landmark that perhaps many took for granted even if the store itself had long ago closed.

Roseland Plaza 115th & Michigan #tbt #Ward09

Via VanishedChicagoland FB

This is what you would've found on the vacant lot at 115th & Michigan perhaps before the mid-2000s at least. 

Of course as you can see by the cars here, this is a vintage photograph. Coffee Pot is likely in the foreground. And then the National grocery store you see in the background here.

Once the Red Line is built in this area, here's hoping we can have this block brought back to life again in the future. Retail, restaurants, hopefully some other services.

J.C. Penney in Roseland #fbf

This pic is south of 111th Street & Michigan during the 1960s.

 The building where the JC Penney was located is still standing. The Gately Store across the street, however, was demolished after it suffered a devastating fire. And the Herman's Army Surplus store the building where that was located is also demolished.

 I like seeing these pics of a South Michigan Avenue in Roseland as a vibrant shopping area. If you could have any other store take up shop in this building what store would you like to see? 

 I found this pic in the FB group Roseland History in a posting asking if anyone remembers the elevator operator. A job that we don't hear a lot about these days.

Write-in for Ward 9 Democrat Committeeman

 Actually it's "commiteeperson" but that just sounds awful like "alderperson," yuck!

Anything it's unusual to see two flyers for the volunteer, elected position of ward committeeperson, committeeman, or committeewoman which is up for election on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024 (wait that's this coming Tuesday) in time for our state's presidential primary. On top of that both the incumbent Committeeman is one Ald. Anthony Beale and his opponent ran against him last year for Alderman Cleopatra Draper. Both of these flyers show that both are seeking write-in votes.

Really?

Granted in the last few years, the committeeman err sorry committeeperson ewww spot doesn't have the importance it used to. Historically when Chicago had its strong political machine, the committeeman was a very important - and especially the Democrat committeeman - position for getting out the vote. And perhaps doling out political patronage, anyone is free to correct me if I'm not entirely correct on this.

However, for both candidates to chase write-in votes this year? What happened?

I can't believe an incumbent Alderman couldn't get enough votes to secure a spot on this ballot for this position. Ms. Draper, I think I understand her though she was on the ballot for Alderman err sorry Alderperson yuck last year. This year in 2024 what gives why are both candidates chasing write-in votes?

2024 is already being set up as an usual election we know former President Donald Trump has snapped up the GOP nomination. So you may want to vote against him in this state if you pull a Republican ballot, it really doesn't matter. And never mind the confusing attempt to use the 14th Amendment to keep him off the ballot not just here but in Vermont and Colorado for example.

As far as the incumbent President in Joe Biden unless something weird happens he'll probably be the Democrats choice in November and I'm not sure who's on the ballot against him in Illinois. I do wish it was a Kennedy though it seems he's choosing to run as an independent.

Regardless as we consider other offices beyond committeeperson or President this year. What we may see at the top of our ballots in November will be two former presidents in a rematch of the 2020 race.

However, we have to get through the primary this coming Tuesday, March 19, 2024. If you haven't voted early go ahead and do that on Monday, March 18, 2024.

I also hope you all had a safe and fun St. Patrick's Day 🍀

Best wishes to WGN's Tom Skilling

 

[VIDEO] I'm sorry I didn't tune in tonight for the longtime Channel 9 meterologist Tom Skilling. On Wednesday night he signed off for the last time on Channel 9 and soon we'll be seeing more of Demetrious Ivory giving us our nightly weather updates.

It's sad to see longtime personalities move on from their most familiar roles. I want to wish Skilling the best in his retirement. He will be missed.

Here on this blog you can check current temperatures and current conditions at the top of this blog just under the blog title.

EDIT: This is about Tom Skilling if you're a fan find him at facebook.com/TomSkilling

#TBT Michigan Avenue in Roseland

Long time no see. Allow me to wish you all a Happy New Year. Hopefully the past holiday season was a wonderful and joyous one.

I found the three pics below in the Roseland History Group on Facebook and just though this was a great look back at Michigan Avenue in the past. And my hope is that one day it could go back to its former glory. Especially once that Red Line extension is finally built

The first two pics shows the area surrounding the long demolished State Theater which is about one block north of 111th Street. It appears these two photographs below are shown on the Cinema Treasures site credited to Dr. Gene Ossello and was taken in 1967.

It's like looking into another world - 115th & Michigan 1965

 There has to be more photos of this shopping center that existed on the SW corner of 115th & Michigan. It had been torn down in the 2000s. There was a restaurant here known as The Coffee Pot. Once there was a Christian bookstore where the pharmacy was, well the pharmacy you see here in this 1965 photograph.

Back in the late 80s to early 90s it was a Perry Drug Store, what was it during the 1960s?

And that building compared to the strip mall that's there now - and seemingly vacant once home to a Hollywood Video store - well it's an improvement if it hadn't been torn down for that strip mall.

At least the lot where the former Roseland Plaza is located can be prime real estate once the Red Line extension is in service.

If you haven't had a chance join the Roseland History FB group.

Al Jazeera: How the U.S. Government Segregated Chicago

 

[VIDEO] Not exactly a pressing topic right now, though one discussed with regards to our city's history. Of course we can talk about segregation in Chicago and it's ongoing economic and social impact to this day. This video is over six years old.

Inauguration Day - City of Chicago

 A new city council, a new mayor, in addition to the incumbent treasurer and clerk get sworn into office today. Check out the live feed from our WLS-TV. [VIDEO]

ABC 7 Chicago: Ed Gardner dies at 98

 

[VIDEO] Ed Gardner in addition to being a husband, father, grandfather was also a longtime businessman having owned Soft Sheen Products and this entertainment business known as House of Kicks located at 95th & Cottage Grover you might see some scenes of that in the above story from WLS-TV. He was also formerly a CPS teacher. Also he was a veteran of the Second World War.

He was still active in 2012 as you see part of a protest to help Black workers on these public works jobs. He helped to register people to vote also. He made the world a better place.

Oh wait he also at one point owned the Avalon Regal Theater located at 79th & Stony Island.

May he rest in peace.

ICE Theaters policy trailer 2007 #tbt

 

[VIDEO] Today's Throwback Thursday we discuss the long gone ICE Theaters. In 1997 the company partnered with Cineplex Odeon to open three theaters two on the south side and one on the west side bringing movies back to underserved inner city neighborhoods. I used to enjoy going up to their theaters on 87th Street as opposed to going to the General Cinema (now AMC Theatres) at Ford City.

Eventually the company partnered with Marcus Theatres and later went independent and experienced a reversal in the fall of 2012 the company was evicted from their 87th Street location thanks to a dispute with a silent partner.

So ICE Chatham 14 became Chatham 14 Theatres which was later owned by the Texas company Studio Movie Grill and currently under the ownership of Michigan based Emangine Entertainment and the location is currently known as Cinema Chatham.

The location formerly located at 62nd & Western - if you're familiar with that area it's on the same lot that contained a Sears store has been demolished. The location in Lawndale near Kedzie & Roosevelt Rd (or 12th Street) was under the ownership of another company is currently vacant.

It's great to see this policy trailer preserved on YouTube you may have seen it in the community tab on @sixthward's YouTube Channel recently. I seen this enough times as a customer on 87th Street I always wondered if this would ever get updated.

Happy Veteran's Day #Devotion

 To all veterans out there, thank you for your service to the United States of America.

I want to share with you all this movie Devotion which will be released November 23, 2022 according to the movie's website. It chronicles the life of Korean War naval aviator ENS. Jesse Brown who unfortunately lost his life during that conflict. Perhaps some of you will go to the Chatham 14 Theaters to watch this movie. [VIDEO]

It's History: Chicago's south side nightmate

 

[VIDEO] Something for you to watch this weekend. The YouTube channel called It's History discusses the history of the Pullman neighborhood. From it's days as a company town for the Pullman Company that produced those luxury sleeper cars for railroads to it's current history as a Chicago neighborhood after annexation. This is Ninth Ward Chgo and thus Pullman is part of the fabric of this part of the city. Enjoy.

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary part 2

 

[VIDEO] I mentioned the old L cars in a previous post which showed a ride on an old CTA bus. These L cars and buses are part of CTA's heritage fleet and on October 1st the Chicago Transit Authority celebrated 75 years. 75 years ago the CTA was created merging Chicago's previously separate and privately owned transit services - primarily the L and streetcar services - and the merger of the bus service would come separately in 1952.

What you see in this video is the 4000-series car. And sadly I never had the chance to see these in actions in my life as they were retired long before I was born. I think before this series served on CTA's L system most of the rolling stock were wooden cars. These cars were the ones permitted to run through the State Street subway when it was opened for service during the 1940s.

I'm glad artistmac was able to record most of heritage fleet that were on display this past weekend.

I'm sorry I missed out on CTA 75th anniversary

On October 1st you could ride some of the heritage fleet equipment from old CTA L trains to old CTA buses. Such as this one which marked a lot of my transit rides in my youth the old fishbowl GM buses. I would've been very cool to have taken a ride on one of these buses again. [VIDEO]

John & Elizabeth Moutoussamy House in Chesterfield #Ward09

 

I like this house it's very different and fits into the Chatham community for sure. Located at 361 East 89th Place so really in Chesterfield it was designed by noted Black architect John Moutoussamy who designed a number of buildings around Chicago. I found this pic and these buildings he designed on fb

• (1954) The John W. & Elizabeth R. Moutoussamy House, 361 East 89th Place, Chicago, IL
• (1959) The Alex Poinsett & Norma R. Poinsett House, 8532 South Wabash Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1962) The Lake Terrace Condominiums, 7337 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1968) The Quadrangle Condominiums, 6700 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1969) The Lawless Garden Apartments, 3620 South Rhodes Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1969) The Michigan Beach Apartments, 7251 South South Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1972) The Woodlawn Neighborhood Health Center, 6337 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1972) The Regents Park Apartments, 5050 South Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL
• (1973) Carver Military Academy High School (Chicago Public Schools), 13100 South Doty Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1976) Harry S. Truman College, (City Colleges of Chicago), 1145 West Wilson Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1981) Richard J. Daley College, (City Colleges of Chicago), 7500 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL
• (1981) Olive-Harvey College (City Colleges of Chicago), 10001 South Woodlawn Avenue, Chicago, IL
• (1983) The Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., International Headquarters, 5656 South Stony Island Avenue, Chicago, IL
•  (1984) The Chicago Urban League, 4510 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL
• – (1993) The Bessie Coleman Library (Chicago Public Library), 731 East 63rd Street, Chicago, IL

Whoever lives in that house currently I don't intend any disrespect by sharing a photo of their house especially since it was already shared on social media. This is one house that has definitely caught my eye over the years just architecturally stands out.

Here's more about John Moutoussamy, when you click the link you will see a pic of him outside of that very house on 89th Place.