By Ed Lowe and Mary Corrado
Planning an expansion, the Old Town School of Folk Music (OTS), 4544 N. Lincoln Ave., is looking across the street at a property that once housed Juergen's North Star Bakery. According to OTS Executive Director David Roche, when the deal is finalized, the addition will serve as an extension of the popular school, specifically for dance classes.
Roche told Inside that the transaction for the purchase of the property is in its final stages and that the School is awaiting an environmental study requested by their lender before the contracts can be finalized. Roche felt confident that the study would not cause a delay in the agreement to purchase the property. The closing could take place within the next couple of days.
The acquisition would increase the size of the Lincoln Square campus and permit an expansion of the popular dance program. Currently, the dance program features a variety of ethnic and folk dance lessons including such diverse forms as Latino, South Asian, Cajun, clogging, flamenco, step dancing, hula, ballroom and jazz. There's just not enough room for all the students who want to participate in OTS programs.
Classes in dance are also being conducted in the more limited space occupied by the school at 909 W. Armitage Ave. and in satellite schools located in Evanston, Highland Park and Hinsdale.
The reason for the delay in closing the bakery property is the need for the environmental study required by the school's banker. At one time this land was used for an automobile mechanic shop and gas station. To be sure the ground is free of environmental contaminants, expert studies must analyze the soil samples taken from the location. Once the all-clear has sounded, says Roche, the school will move forward with all deliberate speed.
The impending development of the last parcel in a little strip brings to mind the changes of the last 20 years. At one time a laundromat bordered the bakery, and a photo developing booth was situated in the parking lot. Now a Starbucks, a bank and a store selling upscale running shoes fill the site. The bakery slot is the last to go...and nothing says gentrification like a new dance school.
Juergen's North Star Bakery was family owned and operated for many years, featuring salt sticks, loaves of bread sliced as you watch, raisin cookies, sugar cookies and a few other sweets. The easygoing, friendly bakery arranged with one customer to bake six loaves of raisin bread for him every other week, even though raisin bread was not an official option. The bakery spot will, if the environmental study is acceptable, be transformed into the dance center for OTS with an expenditure of millions of dollars. |
