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Wicker Park Shops Feel Sales Pinch With Damen Station Closure

By Alisa Hauser | October 27, 2014 1:36pm
 Construction at the CTA Damen "L" station in Wicker Park.
CTA Damen Construction in Wicker Park
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WICKER PARK  —  It's only been a week, but Wicker Park businesses are starting to feel the pinch of fewer commuters during the first week of a nine-week closure of the CTA's Damen Blue Line "L" station.

"Mornings during the week are rough. It's just me and the tumbleweeds," said Evan Dominguez, a worker at Glazed and Infused's doughnut takeout window at 1553 N. Damen Ave., which is across from the station.

Dominguez said sales were strong over the weekend, but on Monday sales were down by nearly half because commuters are not picking up doughnuts on their way to work.

Last Monday, Dominguez said he "heard a lot of venting" from some customers who were first digesting the news that the station would be closed through Dec. 22.

Rich Labriola, owner of Stan's Donuts at 1560 N. Damen Ave. said his sales are down too.

"We expect [sales] to come back over the next few weeks. Our previous four weeks [before construction] were record weeks, so it's hard to judge how much we were really affected. Last week we were down between 10 to 15 percent. I would think for the whole nine weeks we will be down anywhere from 5 to 7 percent," Labriola said.

To entice customers, on Friday Stan's Donuts offered a "Friday Night Construction Special" of $10 for a half-dozen of assorted doughnuts, about $4 off the regular price.

At Penny's Noodle Shop, 1542 N. Damen Ave., Ben Mackay, a server, said there has been "a little bit of a slowdown, but there is no way to prove if it is from the train [being closed] yet or not."

"We have a lot of regulars who live in the area and Saturday morning was really busy, so that gives us hope," Mackay said.

Ulysses Salamanca, owner of Flash Taco at 1570 N. Damen Ave., said "business is definitely down in the mornings and at night" since the station closed.

Salamanca said many of the construction workers from the Northwest Tower hotel renovation project, as well as the recent influx of workers from the Damen station renovation, have been eating at Flash Taco.

Friday evening also saw Double Door, a music club at 1572 N. Milwaukee Ave., temporarily close one of its entrance doors since the sidewalk in front of the club's Damen entrance was closed due to the construction.

"Luckily we have another door [on Milwaukee], so it wasn't a big deal," one Double Door worker said.

Over at Big Star, The Violet Hour and Dove's Luncheonette — which are all run by One Off Hospitality — there hasn't been a substantial drop in business, spokeswoman Jenna Liberman said.

"While we're sure the closures will likely affect foot traffic from commuters, we are confident that our establishments are enough of a destination for our guests that it will not drastically impact business," she said. "Plus, this beautiful weather lately has more than made up for any possible losses."

Despite the construction, many are looking forward to the reopening of the station in December. 

Salamanca said he hopes the station will "look spectacular and be more user-friendly" when renovations are complete.

"Even though we have to endure a little bit of pain, I think the station being remodeled is good for the neighborhood," Labriola said.

As part of the "Your New Blue" project, the Damen station is undergoing renovations, including structural repairs, improved lighting, signage and improvements to the exterior and interior of the station house.

The Damen station closure follows the reopening of Logan Square's California "L" station, which had been closed for six weeks.

The CTA is advising that commuters take the No. 56 Milwaukee Avenue bus to get to the two nearest stations, Western for folks headed north, and Division for those headed Downtown.

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