Logan Square resident Erin Hartz’s savvy shopping will help you get cute new items for next to nothing before you share fried pickles on a local patio.
Name & Occupation?
Erin Hartz, Artist Relations/Show Management, One of a Kind Show and Sale Chicago
How long have you lived in Logan Square?
Three years
Why did you pick Logan Square?
I had never even visited Chicago before, so I moved to Logan Square based on recommendations from friends.
We didn’t get pizza tonight because Reno was closed, but if we had, what would you want on it?
Mushrooms. But what isn’t good on pizza?!
What are your favorite neighborhood hangouts?
Small Bar (@smallbarlogan, 2956 N. Albany Ave.) – such a good, solid bar – and Marble (3281 W. Armitage Ave) are my two favorite bars. Yusho (@yushochicago, 2853 N. Kedzie Blvd.) is a favorite restaurant of mine and for fried pickles I head to Parts and Labor (@PartsandLaborLS, 2700 N. Milwaukee Ave.) because I love fried pickles. Owen and Engine (@OwenandEngine, 2700 N. Western Ave.) has the best burgers and on Tuesday nights you can get a burger, beer and a shot for $15, plus movies at Regal right across the street are only $6.50 on Tuesdays. I like cheap dates. I grew up super vegetarian (my mom has been vegetarian for 40 years!), but I love meat.
I have to give a shout out to the tacos from the Logan Square Farmers Market, Trike (@TrikeChicago, 2539 N. Milwaukee Ave.) for sushi and Jam (@JAMRestaurant, 3057 W. Logan Blvd.) for its rotating bennies. Saki (@sakistore, 3716 W. Fullerton Ave.) has a good selection of new records and in-store events. I do archery at Kimball Arts Center (1757 N. Kimball Ave.) in nearby Humboldt Park; $15 gets you an hour with equipment rental and it’s a nice way to spend time with friends and cleanse your soul. It’s exhilarating. Bang Bang Pie (@bangbangpie, 2051 N. California Ave.) is so solid. Wolfbait (@wolfbaitchicago, 3131 W. Logan Blvd.). And Grandma J’s (1552 N. Kedzie Blvd.) in adjacent Humboldt Park. Still searching for the perfect bagel and shmear…
When you’re not eating your way around the ‘hood, where can people find you?
Shopping. Strictly thrift stores, consignment, clothing swaps and garbage cans in alleys. Palmer has the best alley. It’s a hot spot for tossed out items from students, transients, studio apartments and it is less residential. The best time to go is at the end of the month when people are moving and end of the summer or between semesters. Half my furniture I found by driving down alleys…And I never don’t have something on from a clothing swap. It’s a really great way to meet people, plus it’s potluck. The black dress I’m wearing? Clothing swap. Kate Spade metallic bag? $20 from Marshall’s. Dansko shoes from Buffalo Exchange where I used consignment credit. Necklace was $3 from Urban Surplus. My sweater I got by using cash rewards, so it was free. My #1 find: Vintage Ray Bans covered in shampoo were 50 cents in a bin at Village Discount Outlet or Unique. I took them home and washed them off, then saw they were going for $250 on eBay.
Any additional free time?
I have volunteered with AG47 (@AG47Collective), a Logan Square-based youth outreach program for the last couple of years. The organization provides at-risk youth with mentorship from artists.
What’s the last movie you watched?
Serenity because I just finished Firefly. I love Joss Whedon.
Reading any good books?
Right now I am reading Dune.
Is there a place not in Logan Square that you wish would relocate?
King Spa in Niles. It’s so relaxing and I don’t want to drive home after.
“Socializing the neighborhood” is at the core of the LoganSquarist mission, so we introduce readers to interesting and unique residents throughout Logan Square in our Know Your Neighbor column. If you know someone who would be ideal for to feature, let us know.
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