Friday, December 14, 2007

Rogers Park Business

Throughout all of our adventures, we have gained experience.

With all of our experience, it's time to get down to business.

- Bill Morton



Rogers Park

Rogers Park or often incorrectly East Rogers Park is the northernmost of Chicago community areas in the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is bounded by the City of Evanston at Juneway Terrace and Howard Street to the north, Ridge Boulevard to the west, Devon Avenue to the south and Lake Michigan to the east. The neighborhood just to the west is often called West Rogers Park, although its formal name is West Ridge. Rogers Park is anchored by Loyola University Chicago and the Jesuit religious order. Historic places of interest include Madonna Della Strada and the site of the former palatial Granada Theatre.



Rogers Park Business

In economics, a business is a legally recognized organizational entity existing within an economically free country designed to sell goods and/or services to consumers or other businesses, usually in an effort to generate profit.

In predominantly capitalist economies, where most businesses are privately owned, businesses are typically formed to earn profit and grow the personal wealth of their owners. The owners and operators of a business have as one of their main objectives the receipt or generation of a financial return in exchange for their work and their acceptance of risk. Notable exceptions to this rule include cooperative businesses and government institutions. This model of business functioning is contrasted with socialistic systems, which involve either government, public, or worker ownership of most sizable businesses.

The etymology of "business" relates to the state of being busy either as an individual or society, doing commercially viable and profitable work. The term "business" has at least three usages, depending on the scope — the singular usage (above) to mean a particular company or corporation, the generalized usage to refer to a particular market sector, such as "the record business," or the broadest meaning to include all activity by the community of suppliers of goods and services. However, the exact definition of business, like much else in the philosophy of business, is a matter of debate.




Origins of this project



"I'm a long-time resident of Rogers Park who has been working for the local business Quest Network Services for about 5 years. I also founded the non-profit organization Citizens for the Adelphi Theater to save and re-open our former vaudeville turned single screen treasure. I love good friends, music, technology, good food, and the lakefront. I love living in Rogers Park, but I am fed up with the trash, crime, waste, and corruption that comes with it. I am a registered voter".

Bill Mortons history in Rogers Park began with a visit to the Chase Cafe during it's opening week. Bill was in search of new talent for his television show, Chicago Profile. During these visits he met with local business owner, Kris Luck of Quest Network Services. Within a few weeks Bill was contracted by Quest as Media and Marketing Manager.

Bill soon became a Rogers Park citizen, moving into a large 1920's six-flat near Ashland and Touhy Avenue. Bill enjoyed his new job, new neighbors and closeness to the Lake. His appreciation for vintage buildings and architecture was to come into play soon as he discovered the Adelphi Theater.


The Adelphi Theater Project

The Adelphi Theater project was formed when Bill Morton and members of his record label, 4x Records, seeked to expand the label with a larger headquarters. Upon searching online for "large auditorium" and "Rogers Park", the Adelphi Theater (7070-78 N. Clark Street), was the first result. Bill and company then negotiated a lease with, then owners, Family Properties.

Bill's plan for the Adelphi was to re-open the theater as a viable business, while also housing a commercial recording studio in the Lofts located above the lobby. World-reknowned Chicago artist Ed Paschke had his art studio in one of these lofts, and Bill had ear-marked this studio as a tributary of his work.


Citizens for the Adelphi Theater

The planned re-opening of the Adelphi Theater was gaining momentum. Investors, local businesses, community groups, and theater groups were showing thier excitement and financial support. The business plan was complete and the banks and lending institutions were contacted.

The grand re-opening was scheduled for the first day of Spring, but another party had other ideas.

It was disclosed to Bill Morton a few months before his planned re-opening that the building was to be sold for $4.6 million to a developer. Bill immediately contacted Family Properties, and then 49th Ward Alderman Joe Moore.

In a private meeting, Joe Moore explained that the sale was dependent on a zoning variance that he had the power to change or ignore, if he chooses. Joe Moore then asked the question, "Are you a member of Dev Corp North?", and stated that there is a $50 fee.

Throughout over ten private meetings with the 49th Ward Alderman, he stated repeatedly that he had the power to save or demolish the theater, followed by holding his hand out and stating "Show me the money".

Unwilling to succumb to a dubious invitation, The Citizens for the Adelphi Theater was formed after it was clear that Joe Moore would not assist without campaign contributions.


I know I'm late to this party, but there's a little blog out there that I have only recently discovered, even though I've been aware of its creator for some time now. The blog is called "Rogers Park in 1,000 words" and its progenitor is one Bill Morton. Bill is one of those guys who is engaged in the neighborhood he lives in, and this shows in his pithy, efficient blog. Sometimes just a picture tells the whole story, which is undoubtedly the blog is named as it is. I have been aware of Bill because he comments on The Bench now and then. He is one of the best commenters out there; his comments are always on point and lucid (unlike so many comment section lurkers). "Rogers Park in 1,000 Words" is a must read. Or see; it's mostly photos. Check it out.
Bill is another one of that I can tell walks the neighborhood. And what he sees? Oh my. This recent post gave even the Trash Detective pause. Keep up the good work Bill. You've got quite a good documentary photage going.






















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A Traveling Touch, Inc.






















































Candlelite Chicago



















































































































































Guadalupana Mexican Restaurant

















































































King Kabob



































Loyola University Chicago






















Michoacan Record Shop



Mobil Gasoline Station





































Organic Theater Company at Kathleen Mullady Memorial Theatre































Pitas, Breads and More






Quest Network Services was established as a Bulletin Board System on May 19th, 1994, by Kristofer Luck.

Quest Network Services offered computer sales in a storefront located at 5543 N. Broadway Avenue in 1999, then computer sales, computer repair and computer networking in a storefront located at 4811 N. Ashland in 2000.

In July of 2001, Quest Network Services established business in Rogers Park at 7301 N. Sheridan Road, where the business currently is located. Ever since the move to Rogers Park, Quest has been a part of the community, offering computer support, computer repair, computer networking, and computer sales. Rogers Park residents and businesses alike have also utilized Quest's "Virtual Office", (copy, fax, internet, and computer rental service), for everything from homework, art projects, legal issues, and business start-up.
Over the past few years, Quest has been expanding to include audio recording, video editing, web design, and gaming tournaments. The recent physical expansion of the storefront to include the Parlor Room added the ability to host free movie nights, a private meeting space, and community events.

Quest Network Services supports Rogers Park. Rogers Park Business and Rogers Park in 1,000 Words with computers, internet and networking. Kris is also a founding member of the Citizens for the Adelphi Theater.
Quest Network Services is Rogers Park’s local computer shop and internet café.























































































































































































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