Some Stories Behind the Storefronts
Apple the Second: Maria and Stanley
Although their women's fashion shop Apple the Second, is on the Evanston side of Howard Street, Maria and Stanley Von Medvey are at the center of the positive changes that are occurring along this northwestern edge of Rogers Park. They seem to know everyone and everything that is going on. They make it their business to. Not in an intrusive way but in a cooperative, neighborly “what can we do to help you” manner that is reminiscent of a small town. It is refreshing to find people who will offer whatever help they can to whoever needs it and expect nothing in return.
They exemplify an old fashioned work hard, get an education, community oriented philosophy and although they are beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labor, they are anything but selfish with their success. Most of my time was spent with Stanley and since The Evanston Roundtable did an article that was focused on his wife Maria, I’m sure she won’t mind if this story will be mostly about him.
Stanley emigrated from Poland over 20 years ago and as most immigrants, landed here with practically nothing except the clothes he wore and his architecture degree. He describes his first apartment, which happened to be at The Broadmoor, as a tiny hole in the wall. Even though it was difficult working odd jobs to support his pursuit of an engineering degree which he eventually obtained, he has nothing but great memories of his time spent in Rogers Park. And now that he has combined his architecture and engineering background as the basis to form his own company, all he talks about are his plans to give something back to Rogers Park and this own efforts in the resurgence of Howard Street. He talks about it all the time with an enthusiasm and conviction of someone who is on a mission.
When he was finally able to scrape the cash together, he purchased a building on Howard Street some years ago at a time when most people would agree that the neighborhood was not the safest place to make a sizeable investment. The building which has several retail storefronts and apartments on the second floor and located at 745 West Howard Street, was in terrible condition and most of the stores and apartments were empty. He immediately started renovating the entire building from top to bottom utilizing his design and architectural expertise. He did all the work himself, even designing the interior of Maria's Apple 2the Second store so that the merchandise in one showroom could be easily moved aside to transform the space into a dance studio where salsa lessons are taught to couples.
Today, the entire building is complete, all the stores are leased and the apartments are completely renovated with top line appliances and finishes. When you hear about appliances and quality finishes of course it sounds like an advertisement for the latest condo development but the apartments above the storefronts in Stanley’s building are rentals and they are going to stay rentals. He rents his apartments not to the highest bidder but to students, artists, musicians and otherwise creative people who have a difficult time finding quality, affordable housing. That’s one of the ways he gives back to our neighborhood. He remembers how difficult a time he had trying to find an apartment when he was struggling and he thinks there should always be a place for creative people to live in our neighborhood. Stanley has a vast network of friends who apparently think the same way he does.
One friend is negotiating the purchase of a well known building here in Rogers Park and the plans are to renovate the apartments and keep them as rentals for students and artists. He has plans to turn the existing, empty storefronts into galleries and a café. As soon as the contracts are signed, I'll introduce you to him.
Not long ago, Maria and Stanley just happened to meet an antique dealer who was just thinking about relocating her business to Chicago. In no time flat, they sold her on the resurgence of Howard Street, suggested an empty storefront across the street from them and with Maria’s background in antiques and Stanley’s enthusiasm for Rogers Park, they introduced her to the landlord, connected her to all the wholesale contacts she needed and in a few weeks her new shop will open. And that’s how it is when you talk with them; you believe.
Meet them and you are introduced to the neighborhood community development corporation; neighbor style.
There is a modest, almost embarrassed pride in the significant and purposeful effect they are having on their neighbors, their tenants and on this particular stretch of Howard. These are only a few of the endless stories I heard from them both and unlike folks you sometimes meet that talk the good talk, Maria and Stanley walk the good walk everyday.
And when lunchtime came around during one of our visits, of course Stanley had the place for me to go.
Tomorrow: Deta's Cafe
Gary Fuschi.
Apple the Second: Maria and Stanley
Although their women's fashion shop Apple the Second, is on the Evanston side of Howard Street, Maria and Stanley Von Medvey are at the center of the positive changes that are occurring along this northwestern edge of Rogers Park. They seem to know everyone and everything that is going on. They make it their business to. Not in an intrusive way but in a cooperative, neighborly “what can we do to help you” manner that is reminiscent of a small town. It is refreshing to find people who will offer whatever help they can to whoever needs it and expect nothing in return.
They exemplify an old fashioned work hard, get an education, community oriented philosophy and although they are beginning to enjoy the fruits of their labor, they are anything but selfish with their success. Most of my time was spent with Stanley and since The Evanston Roundtable did an article that was focused on his wife Maria, I’m sure she won’t mind if this story will be mostly about him.
Stanley emigrated from Poland over 20 years ago and as most immigrants, landed here with practically nothing except the clothes he wore and his architecture degree. He describes his first apartment, which happened to be at The Broadmoor, as a tiny hole in the wall. Even though it was difficult working odd jobs to support his pursuit of an engineering degree which he eventually obtained, he has nothing but great memories of his time spent in Rogers Park. And now that he has combined his architecture and engineering background as the basis to form his own company, all he talks about are his plans to give something back to Rogers Park and this own efforts in the resurgence of Howard Street. He talks about it all the time with an enthusiasm and conviction of someone who is on a mission.
When he was finally able to scrape the cash together, he purchased a building on Howard Street some years ago at a time when most people would agree that the neighborhood was not the safest place to make a sizeable investment. The building which has several retail storefronts and apartments on the second floor and located at 745 West Howard Street, was in terrible condition and most of the stores and apartments were empty. He immediately started renovating the entire building from top to bottom utilizing his design and architectural expertise. He did all the work himself, even designing the interior of Maria's Apple 2the Second store so that the merchandise in one showroom could be easily moved aside to transform the space into a dance studio where salsa lessons are taught to couples.
Today, the entire building is complete, all the stores are leased and the apartments are completely renovated with top line appliances and finishes. When you hear about appliances and quality finishes of course it sounds like an advertisement for the latest condo development but the apartments above the storefronts in Stanley’s building are rentals and they are going to stay rentals. He rents his apartments not to the highest bidder but to students, artists, musicians and otherwise creative people who have a difficult time finding quality, affordable housing. That’s one of the ways he gives back to our neighborhood. He remembers how difficult a time he had trying to find an apartment when he was struggling and he thinks there should always be a place for creative people to live in our neighborhood. Stanley has a vast network of friends who apparently think the same way he does.
One friend is negotiating the purchase of a well known building here in Rogers Park and the plans are to renovate the apartments and keep them as rentals for students and artists. He has plans to turn the existing, empty storefronts into galleries and a café. As soon as the contracts are signed, I'll introduce you to him.
Not long ago, Maria and Stanley just happened to meet an antique dealer who was just thinking about relocating her business to Chicago. In no time flat, they sold her on the resurgence of Howard Street, suggested an empty storefront across the street from them and with Maria’s background in antiques and Stanley’s enthusiasm for Rogers Park, they introduced her to the landlord, connected her to all the wholesale contacts she needed and in a few weeks her new shop will open. And that’s how it is when you talk with them; you believe.
Meet them and you are introduced to the neighborhood community development corporation; neighbor style.
There is a modest, almost embarrassed pride in the significant and purposeful effect they are having on their neighbors, their tenants and on this particular stretch of Howard. These are only a few of the endless stories I heard from them both and unlike folks you sometimes meet that talk the good talk, Maria and Stanley walk the good walk everyday.
And when lunchtime came around during one of our visits, of course Stanley had the place for me to go.
Tomorrow: Deta's Cafe
Gary Fuschi.
posted by gf at 9:27 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home