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Hyde Park Youth Council Headlines Many Events During The Year

HYDE PARK — The Hyde Park Youth Council's motto is : 'Service, Leadership, Friendship and Fun, Serving Others, One by One'.

On KVNU's For the People program on Wednesday, our guests were city council member Stephanie Allred, along with youth council 'mayor' Kadence Lamb and youth council member Joseph Krebs.

Their latest event is the Hyde Park Haunted Hollow Spook Alley that runs Friday, Saturday and Monday nights at the Hyde Park City building (113 E Center/ Hyde Park Lane).

Allred said the planning for this goes back to August.

"Trying to get different ideas for the different rooms, we have seven different rooms. We have the youth step up and volunteer to be in charge of a room, maybe one person or maybe two people together. And then they come up with an idea for their room, for instance, this year we have a cemetery room, so each of the seven rooms is different. We try to keep track so that we don't repeat too often," Allred said.

She said they will also have Little Boo for the younger kids from 7p.M. To 830p.M. The same nights.  Kadence who serves as youth council mayor talked about what she likes about it.

"I just really like serving people, and just like getting to know more about the community and just helping them.," she said.

Joseph talked about how he got involved with the council.

"The first time that I experienced it, my older sister's in it, and she invited me to be a volunteer for the spook alley. And I just loved it so much, I was able to scare random people…so fun.  So, then I joined it this year and we've done a lot of fun service projects and I've been able to do some more volunteer work and other fun things," he explained.

Allred said other events on the horizon include the Hometown Christmas Festival, they also sponsor the Hyde Park city celebration, Hometown Days, in the summer.

She said if any youth would like to be a part of the youth council, they need to live in Hyde Park and the sign-up application happens in the spring.

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival Reached New Heights In 2023

Dee Alexander performs with her group Ancestors Reign at the Logan Center Performance Hall on Saturday night. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

The Hyde Park Jazz Festival is one of the best-programmed events of its kind anywhere, thanks to the resilient and resourceful people, many of them volunteers, who organize and coordinate it. It's also one of the most frustrating, because there's so much good stuff to see that schedule clashes are inevitable—especially on Saturday, when 31 presentations competed for attention between lunch and the wee hours. Even though I'd contributed photographs to the celebratory presentation Velvet Lounge 40 Years Later: A Legacy of Place, I couldn't make it to the Logan Center Screening Room to catch the panel.

All the zigzagging around the neighborhood fosters interactions among festivalgoers, though, whether you're strolling along on the Midway, hunting among ivy-festooned university buildings for the quickest route to the next bank, church, or museum that's doubling as a venue, gathering in the vestibule of the Logan Center, or riding a packed elevator to its ninth-floor penthouse. You'll often hear a snippet of commentary in passing: "Did you catch Silvia Bolognesi? For my money, the best set of the fest so far!" (Much of the festival's on-site revenue comes from donations from attendees.) Or "Did you see Pedrito Martinez? He was killing it!"

Excited exchanges between aficionados and scholars of jazz complement the laid-back enjoyment of the general public, who might just happen by while dog walking or getting a snack at an outdoor concession. A significant fraction of the local populace is hip to the music by now, with the HPJF in its 17th year, but Kate Dumbleton, the festival's artistic executive director, keeps the bookings resolutely ahead of the curve—there are always surprises and unfamiliar names, often artists on the rise or from out of state or overseas.

"We had more musicians traveling than ever before, and the logistics for so many large projects really challenged our capacity. But we were really happy with the results," said Dumbleton. "We are always looking to improve the community and musician experience. We tried some new things, like an artist hospitality tent on the Midway with drinks and snacks, upgraded buses for getting around the festival . . . We were so happy to have great weather and no travel problems."

Sam Lewis, cofounder of Elastic Arts and director of engagement and artist programs for the festival, enjoyed a double celebration, even though he was working. "I thought it was the best festival I have witnessed from a curatorial standpoint. The performances were spectacular," he said. "Having the festival begin on my birthday was special to me. But it was also John Coltrane's birthday, so the fest turned into a celebration of Coltrane's music from many performers."

Sam Lewis (left), director of engagement and artist programs for the Hyde Park Jazz Festival, with West Stage manager John Ibarra Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Lewis worked the door at Hyde Park Union Church on Saturday afternoon, and the hallowed space was constantly at capacity. The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni, with saxophonist Javon Jackson and heroic poet Giovanni in attendance, drew the biggest crowd—donations at that site were also notably generous. The 80-year-old activist discussed the importance of homeownership, and her voice quavered as she sang "The Folks Who Live on the Hill." She's not a singer as such, but she encored triumphantly with stirring words from one of her most potent Black-power poems from the 60s, "Ego Tripping," punching her hand upward to a rousing ovation.

During the Saturday-evening Logan Center set from Ches Smith's We All Break, Haitian drummer Daniel Brevil announced that a cousin he hadn't seen in 25 years, Myreille Bassette, was in the audience. Saxophonist Ari Brown revealed that he'd married again in recent months, and with a broad smile, he introduced the large crowd outside the Smart Museum to his new wife, who was in the audience—and then, to celebrate her, he launched into the trenchant ballad "Cherlyn." The festival is a humanitarian and inclusive place, where performers and attendees feel free to share aspects of their lives. This extends even to the concessions and vendors on the Midway—their proprietors were Black, white, and Brown, and the majority came from the community.

Daniel Brevil of Ches Smith's group We All Break and his long-lost cousin, Myreille Bassette Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Stylistic diversity was also abundant, and saxophonist and bandleader Roy McGrath recognized it from the West Stage on Sunday: "Thanks for hiring Latino musicians—bands like this don't get this space." McGrath's tight and exciting group Menjunje, very popular with dancers on the Midway, were indeed unheard by these ears prior to the fest.

"The program this year felt like it showcased the many ways in which jazz musicians and composers are creating in and across the form," said Dumbleton. "It was an honor to support new works, showcase emerging artists—particularly women—and to feature some of the great masters of the music."

The latter included veterans Louis Hayes and Kenny Barron, both in their 80s; Ari Brown and Chico Freeman, in their 70s; and pioneering women such as flutist and composer Nicole Mitchell. Mitchell's Artifacts trio with drummer Mike Reed and cellist Tomeka Reid expanded to embrace contemporary-music group Ensemble dal Niente and the DePaul chamber-music students in Ensemble 20+. Dal Niente performed the world premiere of Southside Love Letter, and then all three groups took the stage together for the U.S. Premiere of Decolonizing Beauty.

Over the festival's two days, almost a third of the 37 presentations were led by or significantly featured women—a much higher percentage than usual in jazz bookings. Perhaps the most spectacular was Dee Alexander's Ancestors Reign septet, fronted by charismatic dancer Nejla Yatkin in a sweeping vermillion gown.

On Sunday, bassist Clark Sommers premiered his ambitious Feast Ephemera ensemble, whose 12 members stretched the breadth of the Wagner Stage. Closing the night and the festival on that same stage was Chico Freeman's quintet, and their set coincided with a spontaneous delight typical of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival and the classic south-side reciprocity between audience and performer. Dancers Dawud and Lura, married for 22 years and known for their work with the Chi-Lites, emerged from the crowd during a rendition of Freeman's ballad "To Hear a Teardrop in the Rain" (or it might have been, more appropriately, Coltrane's "Moment's Notice").

Dancers Dawud and Lura during Chico Freeman's set on Sunday evening Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

"We felt the mood and couldn't just sit there tapping our toes," said Dawud, 58, after their dramatic twilight pas de deux. "The music was outstanding, and Lura and I never let a good song go to waste."

All text and photos by Michael Jackson Shawna Spencer, owner of Only One: A Boutique of All SeasonsHow's business this year? Shawna: "Coats have done very well—everyone wants my coats. I sold about 15 yesterday, and some were preordered before I set up here."

Where else do you sell? "I have a big event I put together in November. The profits go to at-risk women with disabled kids—I Am You Wraparound Services 2.0. It started after a trip to Las Vegas where I was supposed to get married. I met a struggling single mother with four kids and decided to help turn her life around instead of worry about mine." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Jewelry designer Deborah Kerr (left) and photographer and former therapist Richard RomanWhat's your favorite act so far? Deborah: "[Roy McGrath's group] Menjunje! Fantastic! There were a lot of competing events this weekend, including a dance event on Navy Pier, but we came here too."

Richard: "We're waiting for my favorite act, the Chico Freeman Quintet!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Dancers at the West Stage during Sunday afternoon's set by Roy McGrath Menjunje Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Linda, Ashley, and Rae, stylin' on the MidwayLinda is a retired mortgage broker, Ashley is a retired Chicago Public Schools teacher, and Rae is a financial analyst and track and field official. "We enjoyed Joan Collaso, Nikki Giovanni, and Corey Wilkes, who was playing with the lady in the green dress [Meagan McNeal]." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Saxophonist Ari Brown and bassist Yosef Ben Israel outside the Smart Museum on Saturday afternoon Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Author, blues freak, and longtime Reader contributor David Whiteis catches up with the New York Times Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Rahpre NewberryRahpre: "I like to use my bike a lot. I'm an alto sax player—my influences are Charlie Parker, Coltrane, and Pharaoh Sanders. I have a recording out there called 7 Meditations. I play jazz, reggae, spiritual music. I see some horn players sitting down to play, and I wonder if they've maintained their health. I never saw the old masters sit down before. I saw Chico Freeman at Sweet Basil in New York one time with William Henderson on piano and Gary Bartz. He looked skinny. Take care of your health!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Conga player Dr. Cuz with Ari Brown's quintet Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Longtime friends Varnice Jones and Ken Hester, both 76 years oldVarnice: "We've known each other all the way from kindergarten through high school. Then we lost track and picked up again for the next 57 years. Since we were three years old!"

Ken: "We came to catch Tito Carrillo's set especially." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Guitar buddies Tim Fitzgerald and Scott HesseFitzgerald played with his trio on Saturday afternoon at Hyde Park Bank, and Hesse played with Clark Sommers's Feast Ephemera on Sunday on the Wagner Stage. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Saxophonist Nick Mazzarella (far left) with bassist Silvia Bolognesi, drummer Avreeayl Ra, David Brown, trumpeter and singer Il Pavone, and drummer Ginger B.

Mazzarella appeared as a guest with Bolognesi's Italian Trio, which also includes Il Pavone and Ginger B. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader One of the many food options on the Midway Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Bob BurfordBob Burford, aka Bob the Bubble Man, is 73 years old and has been attending the Hyde Park Jazz Festival for eight years. "They are always cool having me here. Downtown they won't let you in Millennium Park, say you have to stick to Michigan Avenue—certain licenses, I guess."

How did you get into the bubble business? Bob: "I was in Guam one time, and I saw someone doing it there. I visited my daughter, who's a social worker in the air force, in Korea earlier this year. There were no mass shootings in Korea, no policemen with guns like in America. There's too much access to guns here, and tempers are too short. What's this [interview] for?"

I'm working for the Chicago Reader, connecting with people in the community. Bob: "I love Ben Joravsky who writes for the Reader—he's always having a go at politicians. I went to see him talk at the Promontory. [Shouts to passersby:] 'Can I get a raise? Can I get an amen?'"

Why do you persist, purveying bubbles over bullets? Bob: "Makes me happy, keeps me young!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Hassan Ali smoking a Newport"I've been a jazz fan all my life. Miles Davis was always my number one. My grandfather Eddie Chapel used to be a vocalist and a drummer." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Ches Smith's We All Break at the Logan Center on Saturday night, with vocalist Sirene Dantor Rene front and center Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Drummer Fanfan Jean-Guy Rene with We All Break Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader K Muhammad, Unique ApparelHow long have you been screen printing shirts? K: "About 20 years." Which are your favorite musicians? K: "Monk and Coltrane are a close tie." How's business this year? K: "Pretty good. People come each year looking for me. In 2019, I sold $500 worth of shirts to one guy from California doing his Christmas shopping. He bought multiple shirts for all his family members!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Chris Umhoefer, 43, artist and vendorWhy so many images of the same dude? Chris: "Abraham Lincoln is someone I personally admire, and the things he stood for still matter today—being antipoverty, pro-democracy, and for unity and equality." How have sales of Old Abe been this year? Chris: "I didn't sell so many here yet, but I did well at Burger Fest and Taste of Lincoln Avenue and in other cities like Minneapolis, at Art-a-Whirl, and at Pittsburgh Pride festival." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Pianists and composers Lara Driscoll (36) and Chris White (51), aka the Firm Roots Duo, with Elizabeth (2.5)Lara: "It's great to be out here in the sunshine checking out all our friends who are playing—such great local talent."

Chris: "Tito Carrillo is particularly great. So many underknown but incredible musicians, and the program is so thoughtfully curated." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Third-grade teacher Karina Plonka, 31, and DottyWhat does Dotty make of the fest so far? Karina: "She loves the smell of all the food." How old is Dotty? Karina: "She's only two. We found her at Rescue Me Clifford." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Pianist David Hazeltine in Louis Hayes's quintet on the Wagner Stage Saturday night Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Poet, artist, and sculptor Marvin Tate with physical therapist ReginaMarvin: "I enjoyed the opening ceremony on the Midway yesterday. The vibe is homogenous and centered with people hanging out. The music is like the sunlight."

Where are you from, Regina? How many jazz festivals so far, and what's with the flowers? Regina: "I'm from the south side. This is my third festival—I love it. I ride around with flowers in my basket because I'm a character!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Pianist and ARP synthesizer player Jim Baker, a member of Luke Stewart's Exposure Quintet Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Clark Sommers's Feast Ephemera, who played Sunday on the Wagner Stage Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Photojournalist Marc PoKempner with BuddyMarc: "Yeah, photograph me in front of my alma mater." What did you study at the University of Chicago? Marc: "Philosophical psychology, a degree they made up for people with an identity crisis so they can get credit for it." You applied that to your photography work? Marc: "I discovered the writings and images of Minor White, who talked about photography the way Jung talked about alchemy. White held the notion that a photograph could be used to glean psychological information—it could reveal inner states of being. He could look at your photograph and tell what you had for breakfast and what your psychological state was."

What do you make of the Hyde Park Jazz Festival? Marc: "It's the most diverse, laid-back, and musically tuned in. The integration of race, economics, and diversity of music is unparalleled." What is Buddy's first impression? Marc: "'Good empanadas, not enough dogs!'" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Rick and Camille Gehrenbeck, Kim Beith, and John Nelson

Rick: "We actually messed up—we clicked on the HPJF website and got a previous schedule, so we thought we were going to catch Makaya McCraven. We stumbled on Pedrito Martinez's group, and they were superb. We've never seen a conga player with that style and fierce energy. No signaling between the band members, just nailing it. The percussion breaks were beyond intellectual—they were telepathic!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Cornetist Josh Berman and Amy OrnéeJosh, your duo tribute with Ben LaMar Gay to the late Jaimie Branch this afternoon was moving. Josh: "I was deeply honored to get to do that. I wrote eight pieces, and Ben created electronic segments and a gong performance piece. Ben and I have a lot in common." Where did the title "Everywhere Often" for the performance arise? Josh: "Ben played a part of this piece last February in New Orleans and said, 'It's like she's everywhere.' I said we should do the pieces again, and he said, 'We should play it often. Everywhere, often.'"

How about you, Amy? Are you enjoying yourself? Amy: "This festival brings together all the things that make me wish I could duplicate myself and be in several places at once!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Josh Berman and Ben LaMar Gay pay tribute to late trumpeter Jaimie Branch at the Institute for the Study of Ancient Cultures on Saturday afternoon. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Cellist Tomeka Reid and David BrownEnjoyed your duo with Junius Paul today, Tomeka—what was that African groove you played, where you switched roles holding down the riff as the other soloed? Tomeka: "Maybe that was a Malachi Favors piece, 'Tutankhamun,' or maybe Junius's piece called 'Cadmium.'" Junius was playing Malachi's bass, passed down to him from the late Harrison Bankhead—wild history there. Tomeka: "Yes, we paid tribute to a lot of influences, including Malachi, Harrison, and cellists Tristan Honsinger and Abdul Wadud."

How was it for you, David, catching two concerts with the wife in action? David: "It was nice to see her in two different contexts in one day—that's quite rare. But she did have a four-night run at the Stone in New York City the other week." What else did you enjoy? David: "The bassist Endea Owens at the Wagner Stage." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Ed Drummond, 68, and Cuba, 60You come here often? Ed: "Many years, even back to when they had it in the skating rink." Why do they call you "Cuba"? Cuba: "I'm Jamaican, but I dance like I'm from Cuba!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Drummer Louis Hayes (center) with longtime festival volunteers and WHPK radio hosts Brenda Phillips and Linda Hall, aka "the Twins"Veteran drummer Louis Hayes performed with his quintet Saturday night on the Wagner Stage. Louis: "It's always magical to play an outdoor festival. I've been coming to Chicago since the 50s. Love the people. I used to play the Sutherland Lounge at 46th and Drexel—played there in 1960 with Cannonball Adderley and Horace Silver too. Played the London House with Oscar Peterson." Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Ancestors Reign: Zara, Zaharieva, Coco Elysees, Alexis Lombre, Dee Alexander, Emma Dayhuff, JoVia Armstrong, and Nejla Yatkin Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Dancer Nejla Yatkin in Dee Alexander's Ancestors Reign Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader The Artifacts trio during their Saturday performance at the Logan Center with Ensemble dal Niente: flutist Nicole Mitchell, cellist Tomeka Reid, and drummer Mike Reed Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Poet Nikki Giovanni with saxophonist Javon Jackson at Hyde Park Union Church on Saturday afternoon Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Anand Reddy, Antoine Montoya, Mark Moore, and Sean FrancisAntoine: "Pedrito [Martinez] was pretty good, and we went to the International House and saw a Brazilian-French lady singing with Oscar Brown's daughter [Maggie Brown]."

Mark: "The singers were very scholarly, taught us a lot about the history of the music."

Anand: "This is my second time to the festival, and the quality of the musicians and diversity of what I've seen is better than last year."

Have you lived a lush life, Sean? [He's wearing a T-shirt of the cover of Coltrane's Lush Life.] Sean: "I'm always striving to live a lush life, and as a lush myself, I have a leg up. Plus it's John Coltrane's birthday today—reason to celebrate!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Saxophonist Nick Mazzarella and trumpeter Russ JohnsonNice to hear you with Silvia Bolognesi's trio today, Nick. How did you connect with Silvia? Nick: "We met through Tomeka [Reid]."

How about you, Russ, have you played with Silvia? She has such a strong approach to the instrument. Russ: "Only a couple of times, but we recorded together."

You guys are so busy. Nick: "In fact, I have to leave to play in Milwaukee tonight at 7 PM as soon as I've finished with Clark Sommers's Feast Ephemera at five."

What's impressed at the fest? Russ: "Ches Smith and We All Break was fantastic. Ches can do anything, but to create something that hasn't been done, to study music that is not your own, shows great courage and commitment. A deep dive into [Haitian Vodou music] that doesn't sound self-serving. Luke Stewart's Exposure Quintet was great too."

Nick: "And we won't hear quarter notes like that or a feel like that again when Louis Hayes is gone!" Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Shani Smith and Larry Nash for Aura Edibles, all-natural vegan gummiesLarry: "Aura Edibles are popular with baby boomers like us who used marijuana in the 70s and then settled down and now are looking for alternatives to answer issues of health and well-being as we've gotten older. People looking for an alternative to prescription drugs and opioids that make you high all day, like a zombie—something balanced and holistic."

Thanks for the sample. So what happens if I have two? Shani: "One relaxes you. Two makes you feel a little jazzy. After three, stay at home!"

I'd better have two, so's I feel a little "jazzy," if that's not surplus to requirement. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader Pianist Kenny Barron at Rockefeller Chapel on Saturday nightThe edibles sampled by your faithful reporter kicked in during Kenny Barron's magnificent solo piano set, during which he revisited perennial originals "Sunshower" and "Calypso" and, after paying respects to influence Abdullah Ibrahim and onetime duo partner Charlie Haden, manifested his profound love for the keyboard with an encyclopedic "How Deep Is the Ocean."

Meantime I channeled Dean Moriarty wigging out to pianist George Shearing at Birdland in 1949 in On the Road. Even without such enhancement, I would've been "popeyed with awe," to quote Kerouac, at the unequivocal equilibrium of Barron's playing, his mastery of inner and outer tempos, and the perfect clockwork of his left hand. As things were, I felt like "everything was about to arrive—the moment when . . . All and everything is decided forever," to quote Kerouac again. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Carillonists Alex Johnson, John Mori, and Kayla GundersonAs penance for my indulgence of Saturday night, at lunchtime on Sunday I ascended the 271 steps of Rockefeller Chapel's carillon tower. The instrument there is allegedly the second-largest in the world, and I wanted to witness how its players had coaxed ap-peal-ing versions of classics by Antônio Carlos Jobim, Glenn Miller, Paul Desmond, and John Coltrane (plus two recent works by Japanese pianist Hiromi) from its 72 bells, wielding 100 tons of bronze. Credit: Michael Jackson for Chicago Reader

Hyde Park Faces Gentrification Waves As Long-time Businesses Close And New Ones Emerge

The arrival of new establishments like Sundrip and the forthcoming Harper Court Phase II development follow the recent closures of several popular restaurants, including decades-old Mellow Yellow and Piccolo Mondo.

Walk through Downtown Hyde Park and you may notice the lack of some familiar fixtures. In recent months, several long-standing establishments have bid their farewells to the community.

One such closure is the iconic Mellow Yellow. This vintage eatery had been dishing up hearty breakfast options on 53rd Street since its opening in 1976. The Hyde Park Herald attributes Mellow Yellow's closure last June to the retirement of the former owner, Francisco Garcia. A soul food joint, Oooh Wee! It is!, has taken its place.

Over its impressive 46-year tenure, the restaurant had become an integral presence in the community. "I ate at Mellow Yellow quite often in the '70s when I was a high school student at Kenwood [Academy]. I think I went there once for a first date," said Tim, a Hyde Park local. "Before closing, I made sure to go back one last time."

But Mellow Yellow is not the only change to 53rd Street's business strip. Several other well-known eateries, including Leona's Pizza and The Budlong Hot Chicken, have also shut down business for good. Some of these closures were accompanied by more tumult. What's Krackin, a popular seafood joint, closed this September amidst a legal dispute with the landlord.

On East 56th Street, Piccolo Mondo, an Italian restaurant once celebrated on The Maroon's Gems of Hyde Park, abruptly shut its doors last November after a 39-year legacy. The sudden closure left several former staff without jobs or severance pay at the start of the holiday season. The staff launched a virtual tip jar at the end of December 2022 to cover living expenses.

Amid these closures, new businesses have emerged. Sundrip, a vegan eatery offering smoothie bowls, salads, and juices, opened their doors in August right below Campus North. Litehouse Whole Food Grill also relocated to a new storefront on 53rd Street.

Part of the changes in Hyde Park can be credited to funding from governmental organizations. Kilwins, an ice cream and dessert parlor, recently received a $250,000 community grant from the city of Chicago to construct a "chocolate garden" in its backyard. The area, complete with amenities and an outdoor patio, will provide a versatile space for hosting weddings, parties, and other community events. Furthermore, the city of Chicago also recently awarded a $5 million grant to Revive 6300 in a project to build high-end offices on the site of the Washington Park National Bank building.

A sample of chocolates from Kilwins.

These changes in Hyde Park's business landscape reflect a response to evolving consumer demands. With recent University land acquisitions and the construction of the Obama Presidential Center (OPC), Hyde Park is undergoing a gradual demographic shift. The median age of Hyde Park residents has gradually declined for decades, and the Black population has decreased by 33 percent since 2000.

Given UChicago's continuous expansion efforts, this change will likely persist. For example, the University of Chicago has partnered with two real estate firms to build Harper Court Phase II. This 13-story tower will house quantum and life sciences laboratories, along with heavy technological infrastructure. Replacing the restaurant Park 52, the project began earlier this year and is expected to conclude by mid-2024.

These developments have attracted criticism from some Hyde Park natives. Corporate and institutional actors are increasingly dominating commercial and residential real estate in the neighborhood. Investors currently own about 25 percent of housing in Hyde Park, tying it as the 6th most investor-dominated zip code in the city of Chicago. All districts within the top five are adjacent areas around the South side.

Many South Shore residents have united under the aid group Not Me We to advocate for better housing and sustainability metrics. Earlier this year, their efforts led to the passing of the Woodlawn Housing Preservation Ordinance, allocating $4.5 million of city funding for affordable housing programs. The ordinance also established affordability requirements for 30 percent of new housing units built on 52 vacant lots near Woodlawn.

In response to such pressures, the developers of Harper Court Phase II have pledged to meet the University's diversity goals. The project aims to create economic opportunity for women and minority contractors, with "2000 construction jobs tied to the project."

New businesses are also contributing to inclusive community-building. Jackie Jackson, the owner of Kilwins, stressed her desire to keep the renovated patio space affordable. "The whole goal is to bring something to the community that people can utilize, feel safe, and have fun with. We don't want to charge a lot of money because we really want it to be accessible to the community."

Many of the storefronts once occupied by Mellow Yellow and other fixtures now stand empty, awaiting new tenants. As Tim savored a steak salad at the recently opened Litehouse Grill, he said, "Growing up in Hyde Park means that you get used to a certain rhythm of change… As much as I feel nostalgia for those old fixtures, life moves on."

Correction, October 30, 5:25 p.M.: A previous version of this article's headline misconstrued the nature of the changes in the local business landscape. The error was due to a breakdown in the editing process for this article.

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