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Cat Shelters and Hot Dogs: A Look Back at 2015 in Uptown and Andersonville

By Josh McGhee | December 28, 2015 5:27am
 Juan Carlos Garcia (from l.) and Octavia Garcia, the owners of Hot
Juan Carlos Garcia (from l.) and Octavia Garcia, the owners of Hot "G" Dog at 5009 N. Clark St. The story was the most read story in 2015 for the neighborhood.
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DNAinfo/Mina Bloom

UPTOWN/ANDERSONVILLE — This year Uptown and Andersonville had some monumental moments from the opening of the first medical marijuana dispensary in Chicago to the birth of a hot dog superstar.

Before we ring in the new year, let's sit back and reminisce about the most important stories of 2015.

5. Broadway Anchor Says Goodbye to Uptown

Shake, Rattle and Read, at 4812 N. Broadway, has been an Uptown staple for decades, but in November the store's owner for the last 30 years, Ric Addy, announced it would close in 2016. Addy said: "I think we’ve just had our time and I’ve adapted as best I can." While there will no longer be a physical store, the 63-year-old said he'd still be selling records, books and memorabilia on the Web.

4. Rules for the Homeless?

Living in Chicago without a home already seems tough enough, but learning the rules of being homeless in the city was still eye opening. In October, DNAinfo explored what "personal portable possessions" were allowed by the city. The homeless rules for people living under Wacker and near Wilson include a limit of five blankets per person, although 10 blankets are allowed between October and April. People there can also have a maximum of two pairs of shoes or boots, two coats, three bags or suitcases and one sleeping bag (two in winter).

3. Pot in Andersonville

In 2015, Illinois ended its prohibition on medical marijuana. When it comes to dispensaries, Chicago is still lagging behind, but not in your 'hood. Dispensary 33, at 5001 N. Clark St., which worked tirelessly to get feedback from the neighborhood, became the first dispensary to open its doors in the city. Fun fact: the prohibition against alcohol ended in 1933. Dispensary 33. Get it?

2. The Biggest Development of the Year

Uptown is seeing its fair share of development, but the development that most interested readers may surprise you. In March, Uptown's Tree House Humane Society gave us a peek at their $7 million cat shelter. The two-story facility being built at 7225 N. Western Ave. will come equipped with a cat'fe, public clinic, adoption rooms, pet food pantry and education center.

1. The Rise of Hot "G" Dog

On Oct. 3, 2014, the beloved Avondale hot dog joint Hot Doug's closed its doors, leaving a gaping hole in Chicago's encased-meat landscape. But two line chefs from Hot Doug's, Juan Carlos Garcia and Octavio Garcia, were bold enough to put on their capes and rescue us from our sausage cravings. The duo brought a Hot Doug's-inspired menu to the Andersonville area and birthed Hot "G" Dog, at 5009 N. Clark St. Thank them — they brought back duck-fat fries. Mmmm ... duck fat.

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