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
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.
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 is Rogers Park’s local computer shop and internet café.
