WICKER PARK — The Stanley Cup has popped by several parts of the city, so here are seven reasons why the small business owners, artists, musicians and Blackhawks fans of Wicker Park deserve to kiss, photograph, hug and simply bask in the glory of the Stanley Cup.
We're Not Wrigleyville: "A big thanks to everyone who partied safely at North & Damen tonight. You showed the City how to do it! Go Hawks!" the social media-savvy Shakespeare District Police tweeted. Meanwhile, Wrigleyville fans smashed windows, hurled bottles, etc. And, further proof: While walking around at 6 a.m. Tuesday, there was very little evidence of a celebration from the night before, save for a bit of broken glass and confetti.
We're Always Hustling: Daniel, a worker behind the counter of Picante, a tiny taco stand at 2016½ W. Division St., wrapped a tip jar in aluminum foil, scrawled a message of congratulations to the NHL champions on masking tape, and got back to serving the long lines of revelers after the victory.
We Can (and in one case, DO) Feed the Hawks: "We invite the @NHLBlackhawks and #stanleycup over to #wickerpark #cuptracker2015 -punch bowls + meat! " Chicago Chop Shop tweeted.
@ChiChopShop/Twitter
A Chicago Blackhawks staffer who ordered 12 pizzas from Wicker Park's Piece, 1927 W. North Ave., snapped this photo on Tuesday and sent it to Piece's owner Bill Jacobs. [Chicago Blackhawks]
We Make Art Imitate Life! From commissioned pieces like JC Rivera's mural, which took over two of Bar Deville's walls, to unauthorized works like a Home Ali 6,'s "Richie" the raccoon under the 606's Milwaukee Avenue bridge, we are a street art capital.
We supply our own national anthem: During the big street party after the game, freestyle guitarist Jaik Willis "threw his amp in a window and started shredding a Jimi Hendrix-esque version of Star Spangled Banner to a crowd of happy revelers," Brobible reported.
The makeshift stage, from the third floor of the Flat Iron Arts Building, 1579 N. Milwaukee Ave., is above ground-level tenant Bank of America. Fans in front of the bank chanted "U.S.A.!"
Swedish Hawks Already Shop Here: Joakim Nordstrom, David Rundblad and Marcus Kruger have shopped at the newish Fjallraven store at 1708 N. Damen Ave., where they donned puffy jackets and one of the players recalled his first backpack, made by Fjallraven. Maybe they should come back to Damen Avenue and do some spring shopping — and bring Lord Stanley's Cup along?
A trio of Swedish Blackhawks players at Fjallraven. [DNAinfo/Alisa Hauser]
Our Bars Are Patriotic: "Congratulations to the Chicago Blackhawks!!! Last night was one we will never forget. Thanks to all our loyal fans for taking the ride along with us all season!! "
The Anthem/Facebook
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