Friday, April 10, 2015

Reason #3 - Comedy & Theater


Chicago is a city that can take a possibly pejorative moniker like “Second City” and elevate it to a cultural touchstone. Any city that has only 3 months of nice weather better have a sense of humor and enjoy indoor activities–and Chicago does. Home to sketch, improv and drama giants, New York and Hollywood have been luring away our greats for decades. But like the leaves that must fall for an annual to rebloom, you can bet the next big act is blossoming now... quite possibly right in your neighborhood!

Here are a few great shows, acts and theaters that are nearby, around the corner and/or close to home. They are great examples of the #3 Reason We #ENJOYChicago–Comedy & Theater.
Pictured: Stone Soup Theatre Project
Filament Theatre Ensemble
Cornservatory and Corn Productions
"Love, Loss, and What I Wore" at the First Folio Theatre
Albany Park Theater Project
The Blackout Diaries at The High Hat Club
the kates 

Not pictured: 
"Other Hands" at the Linchpin Theatre

Wednesday, April 01, 2015

7 [Rejected] Reasons We ENJOY Chicago

We’ve been counting down the 7 reasons we ENJOY Chicago online and in our store, and every week through mid-April we’ll be highlighting the things that make Chicago great. We thought we’d share some reasons that came to mind but got the big REJECTED stamp—because as Chicagoans, we’re definitely familiar with these daily realities, but we’d have to be FOOLS to love them.

7. [Rejected] Reason - Potholes

[Rejected] Reason - Potholes
bachor / via bachor.com    
The breadth and depth of potholes in Chicago after our Polar Vortices has provided a new medium for artists. As funding for the arts continues to decline, artists who hang their heads in misery need only open their eyes to the asphalt canvas under their feet. A gallery opening is great. An opening in the earth is better!

6. [Rejected] Reason - Polar Vortex 2: Electric Boogaloo

[Rejected] Reason - Polar Vortex 2: Electric Boogaloo
Urban General Store / via Facebook

Despite over 30 days of sub-zero temperatures, the Second City was forced to play third fiddle to our Boston brethren's Snowpocalypse. As we watched the Patriots once again win the Super Bowl through the snowscreen of our SuperBlizzard, we were reminded that our football team wasn't there, their former non-World Series winning baseball team has since won the World Series (thrice) and our big Polar Vortex: The Sequel was more "Grease 2" to the East Coast blizzard's "Godfather 2." It seemed familiar but just wasn't as fun. Or exhausting. Or crazy making. Or just plain awful. Why are we always taking sloppy seconds?!?

But, on the bright side, there's always a chance that it will snow in April in Chicago!

5. [Rejected] Reason - Parking Meters and Traffic Control

[Rejected] Reason - Parking Meters and Traffic Control
The Found / Via Urbangeneralstore.com

Are you really a Chicagoan if you haven't gotten a ticket for "Parking in a loading-zone, between 4 and 6 pm, between April 1 and March 31, non-rush hour, residential zone, street cleaning on days that end in -day"? It is a rite of passage for your rights of passage in Chi-town. Chicago even has its own Parking Ticket Geek.

Radical proposal of what to do with the maligned Red Light Cameras: use them as traffic volume sensors to time the lights on major arteries. Maybe then traffic on Western Avenue wouldn't suck so badly.

Hmm. Not likely.

4. [Rejected] Reason - Wildlife

[Rejected] Reason - Wildlife
Bob Fila, Chicago Tribune / via youtube.com

With 2007 the passing of Joseph Zeman, the "Pigeon Man of Lincoln Square," Chicago may have lost the last true lover of Chicago pigeons. In fact, the city has unleashed some bad ol' peregrine falcons to help control our "flying rat" population. Seems we prefer to view wildlife without them carrying entire pizza crusts or chicken wing bones.

And don't even get us started on squirrels.

3. [Rejected] Reason - Politics

[Rejected] Reason - Politics
Schadenfreude / Via 53rdward.com

Every time we hear "Chuy Rahm" it sounds like a delicious, nougaty, caramelly candy. It's not. But now we're hungry.

Did you know that most people in other parts of the United States don't know what an alderman is? In Chicago, aldermen are such characters that Schadefruede's Justin Kaufmann has spent years portraying a fictional city council member—Ald. Ed Bus of the equally fictional 53rd Ward (the triangle of land at the corners of Belmont, Lincoln, and Ashland). And if his seat was contested, we think he could actually win! Like, in the real election.

2. [Rejected] Reason - Lake Michigan and the Chicago River

[Rejected] Reason - Lake Michigan and the Chicago River
© Jeremy Atherton, 2006 / Via commons.wikimedia.org

Sure, they're pretty. And provide water. Or in the river's case "water." And being one of only a few major metropolitan cities on such a large body of water is nice. But Lake Michigan has seriously put Chicago at a disadvantage—we only have three sides! Since the founding of the city over 175 years ago, have there been any plans to expand the East Side of Chicago? Why not a new agency—the Land Reclamation from Water Reclamation Department? Or maybe George Lucas should forget the museum and focus on a new underwater neighborhood called "East Atlantis."

And we love the Chicago River. Except on a warm day when it smells like it needs to wash.

1. [Rejected] Reason - Pizza P.I.E. (Pizza Inferiority Effect)

[Rejected] Reason - Pizza P.I.E. (Pizza Inferiority Effect)
The Daily Show with Jon Stewart / via thedailyshow.cc.com


Why must we always defend our pizza? Yes, sometimes we cut it in squares. Yes, a single deep-dish pie can weigh up to 25 lbs. And, if you can forgive the double negative, it's NOT not as good as New York style pizza, it's DIFFERENT. And if you don't like it, we know a squirrel who will happily take a crust off your hands. (After all, who hasn't seen a Chicago squirrel carrying a piece of pizza larger than its entire body in its mouth?)

To quote (ahem) Chicagoan Vince Vaughn in Wedding Crashers, "It's a great band, it's a bad band, it's like pizza, baby. It's good no matter what."

Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Reasons We #ENJOYChicago - #5 The Art of Architectrure


Chicago is the city of no small plans. From a towering skyscraper to a sturdy brick bungalow, the City of Big Shoulders stands taller on its buildings. In Chicago, art and architecture combine to celebrate the everyday and the extraordinary.

It’s the #5 Reason We #ENJOYChicago.

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Reasons We #ENJOYChicago - #6 The Events


Starting in May, more than 400 neighborhood festivals will take place in the city. But Chicagoans with spring fever can’t wait that long. Luckily, no matter what you like celebrating, there’s likely a special event for it in Chicago—even in March. 


Events pictured above:

Hellenic Heritage Parade (Greek Independence Day Parade)
Saturday, March 29, 2015

Wizard World Comic Con Fan Fest Chicago
Saturday, March 7, 2015 - Sunday, March 8, 2015

International Quilt Festival
Thursday, March 26, 2015 - Saturday, March 28, 2015

Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade
Saturday, March 14, 2015

Chicago Tattoo Arts Convention (Photo: David Joseph Kline)
Friday, March 20, 2015 - Sunday, March 22, 2015

Bangladesh Day Parade (Photo: Jerry Delaney)
March 28, 2015

Chicago Flower & Garden Show
Saturday, March 14, 2015 - Sunday, March 22, 2015

Southside Irish Parade
Sunday, March 15, 2015

Need more ideas? Check out TimeOut Chicago's 101 things to do in Chicago.

All copyrighted materials or trademarks on this Blog which are not owned by Urban General Store, Inc. are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, sponsored by, or otherwise connected to ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE or Urban General Store.

Thursday, March 05, 2015

Reasons We #ENJOYChicago - #7 The Makers


Chicago is a city of Do’ers. The “City That Works” makes a lot of things–both real and virtual–that we and millions of people around the world love. 

Pictured clockwise from left to right:  Lemonhead candy, Card from The Found, Basecamp, Orbitz, GiveForward, Field Notes Brand notebooks, Chicago Skyline Candle from Crash Candles, Daisy Cutter Pale Ale from Half Acre and a tin of Garrett Popcorn Shops popcorn.
All copyrighted materials or trademarks on this Blog which are not owned by Urban General Store, Inc. are the property of their respective owners, who may or may not be affiliated with, sponsored by, or otherwise connected to ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE or Urban General Store, Inc. 

Wednesday, March 04, 2015

7 Reasons We #ENJOYChicago

Happy Birthday Chicago!



In celebration of the great city of Chicago, on the occasion of its 178th birthday (actually, its date of  incorporation March 4, 1837), ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE, a specialty gift store at 4723 N. Lincoln Avenue in Chicago’s Lincoln Square neighborhood, will be running a social media campaign and photo contest highlighting the 7 Reasons We #ENJOYChicagoThe campaign will start on Wednesday, March 4, 2015, and will run for seven weeks, culminating in mid-April 2015, with the #1 Reason (SPOILER ALERT: our neighborhood, Lincoln Square). 

Each week ENJOY will feature Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter posts that highlight why we #ENJOYChicago. Posts will include links to local businesses, events, attractions, organizations and products. A Pinterest Board will feature items, too.

Musician Laura Doherty (as the Chicago Hot Dog)

Customers and followers will be encouraged to share pictures of why they #ENJOYChicago on FacebookInstagram, or Twitter. All photos that use the hashtag #ENJOYChicago and are tagged with @ENJOYChicago will be entered into a drawing to win a Chicago Natives Prize Package (valued at over $100). The winner will be announced in early May 2015, and the winner’s photo submission will be shared via ENJOY’s Instagram, Facebook and Twitter accounts and may be displayed in ENJOY’s shop window. Images tagged with #ENJOYChicago may also be reposted.

Links to products related to the “7 Reasons We #ENJOYChicago” can be found on ENJOY’s online home urbangeneralstore.com.

An in-store display will highlight each of the “7 Reasons We #ENJOY Chicago” every week, and featured “Chicago Natives” (www.urbangeneralstore.com/shop/browse-all/chicagonatives) items will also be on display at ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE (4723 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60625).



Monday, February 09, 2015

All You Need Is Love (but a card and gift are nice, too)



VALENTINE'S DAY IS THIS WEEKEND


Do you still need something special for your someone special? We have lots of great gift ideas like those in the video. Some are sweet. Some are funny. Some are sarcastic. Some are special. But we're certain that a Valentine's Day gift from ENJOY, AN URBAN GENERAL STORE and Urbangeneralstore.com will be unique–like your love.

Live in Chicago? Shop online and select Free In-Store Pickup as your shipping method and your items will be ready for pickup the next day in Chicago (Monday-Friday) at ENJOY (4723 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625).

LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED

But what does your Valentine want?



Shop for Valentine's Day Cards











Everyday I Love You Small Art Print - Sugarboo













Loving Family with Two Children Pin





















Happiness Is Being Married To Your Best Friend Sign













Dogeared Love Knot Necklace













Key To My Heart Vintage Key with Tag in Gift Box












Tuesday, December 02, 2014

#ShopSmall but #GiveBig on #GivingTuesday

They say "charity begins at home," but we think it can continue to the workplace. We asked the members of our staff what local organizations they support and why.

In support of #GivingTuesday, we will be making a charitable donation to the organizations our employees suggested – Lincoln Square Friendship Center, ONE Northside, The Stone Soup Theatre Project, Growing Home and Funny Bones Improv.

We hope you'll learn more about these great organizations, like them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to their YouTube channels. And, most importantly, consider supporting them financially, too.

1) Lincoln Square Friendship Center
The Friendship Center operates two food pantries on the north side of Chicago. North Park Friendship Center - NPFC also distributes free clothing and household goods, offer job training to our volunteer staff, and seek to provide or refer clients to needed services.

2) ONE Northside Violence Prevention Campaign
ONE Northside is a mixed-income, multi-ethnic, intergenerational organization that unites our diverse communities. We build collective power to eliminate injustice
through bold and innovative community organizing.

3) The Stone Soup Theatre Project
The Stone Soup Theatre Project's mission is to offer theater to the communities of North East Chicago providing productions and educational workshops at little to no cost to patrons by enlisting the help of community organizations and local businesses. Stone Soup Theatre Project is committed to building stronger communities and safer neighborhoods by providing access to affordable and relevant theatre, transferrable skills through theatre education, and by taking the stage onto the streets of North East Chicago.

4) Growing Home
Growing Home is a social enterprise based in organic farming that provides employment, training, and community development opportunities to Chicagoans. Growing Home helps people find meaningful careers through skills learned while farming since 2002. Growing Home is Chicago’s leading expert in farm-based training for people with employment barriers.

5) Funny Bones Improv
Funny Bones started with a mission to give the gift of laughter to children and their families while in hospital. Our goal is to provide children with an opportunity to brighten their day, add a smile or a hearty laugh to reduce whatever stress they may face and offer an escape from their worries. Funny Bones performs in Chicago at the Children's Memorial Hospital AND in New Orleans at Tulane Medical and Children's Hospital.