Bridgeport

Best of the South Side 2017 | Bridgeport | McKinley Park

Best of Bridgeport & McKinley Park 2017

by 9 months ago

Jason Schumer

What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Bridgeport? From its immigrant beginnings producing the nation’s sausages, or its dichotomy of old-school born-here, die-here types rubbing shoulders with the constant tide of artisans and students floating around, it’s the most Chicago neighborhood. Bridgeport has sordid histories; it has promising futures.

Bridgeport | Development | Features | Politics | South Shore

Who Gets to Keep the Gates?

Two aldermen claim to seek to transform parts of South Shore and Bridgeport through zoning, with mixed results

by 11 months ago

71st Street in South Shore (Denise Naim)

Murmurs and greetings circulated through the wood-paneled meeting room of Bryn Mawr Community Church as one hundred South Shore residents settled in for the monthly 5th Ward meeting on May 23.

Bridgeport | Features | Food | Food Issue 2017

Journey to the West: Chinese Restaurants in Bridgeport

New eateries redefine ‘Chinese food’ in Chicago with regional offerings

by 1 year ago 2 Comments

Jack Chen & Wang Chen Hai, Northern City (Luke Sironski-White)

When Jimmy Li first moved to Bridgeport in 1984, he was one of the few Asian immigrants to live in the neighborhood. Over seventy-six percent of residents at the time were white, twenty percent identified as Hispanic or Latino, and less than one percent were African-American. The Asian population was all but unaccounted for by authorities until the 1990 census, which reported that they constituted 16 percent of the population.

Bridgeport | Community

Who Owns Benton House?

Chicago’s last settlement house struggles to define its identity

by 1 year ago 4 Comments

Photos Courtesy of Benton House Office

A cold wind blew down South Gratten Street on a chilly November afternoon while Bridgeport residents outside stood in line for Benton House’s food pantry, donning jackets, scarves, gloves, and all. Seniors sat on plastic lawn chairs on the sidewalk with personal shopping carts in tow. Inside, toddlers bounced around the stairs while their mothers monitored them with hawk-like vision.

Art | Bridgeport

Some Darkness, Some Light

Steve Badauskas, owner of Bernice’s, gets a solo show

by 2 years ago

Justin Honra

On the first floor of the Lacuna Artists Lofts, near the abstract floating reclaimed wood sculpture, past the neon Converse All-Stars wall hanging, around the eleven-foot-tall vintage cowhide couch-swing with USB port armrests, you enter a narrow room.

Best of the South Side 2015 | Bridgeport

Best of Bridgeport 2015

by and 3 years ago 3 Comments

Eric Kirkes

A stone’s throw away from Chicago’s downtown area, one might find oneself in this nondescript, inconspicuous neighborhood called Bridgeport. With its post-industrial sheen, one would never guess the historic significance it holds: thousands and thousands of immigrants started up their American dream right here. It was a start-up for throngs arriving from throughout Europe. Word spread that boundless opportunities and streets paved with gold would welcome you. Bridgeport was booted up to the thriving union stockyards and the central manufacturing district. Abundant back-breaking work was available for everyone hardy or foolish enough to partake in this new American way of life. Saloons on every corner took the edge off the drudgery. Newly built churches and schools catered to your ethnic origin, gave you community.

Best of the South Side 2014 | Bridgeport

Bridgeport

by 4 years ago

STEPHEN URCHICK

Bridgeport on a Sunday morning: a seating queue winds snugly around the corner of the organic eatery Nana, its outdoor café space buzzing both with young brunchers and the bees that dive-bomb them from the planters. There’s a sidewalk sale assembled on the stoops of Jackalope Coffee and Tea House, attracting a crush of folks who are perhaps too cool for you. Continue reading →