DNA Info: Can Whole Foods Help Restore Glory to Formerly Thriving Englewood Strip?

Englewood Square lot in July 2015. [DNAinfo/Andrea Watson]

 And you know we all hope that the new developments out of Englewood (not only Kennedy-King College, Whole Foods Market, or even Starbucks) will bring about a rebirth of the intersection at 63rd/Halsted.

Those same residents today are encouraged by the much-heralded $362-million Englewood Square development, set to open next year at the intersection.

"It is an area that transitioned from a great place to a desolate place," said Glen Fulton, executive director of the Greater Englewood Community Development Corporation. "Now we think we can bring it back."

The Englewood Square development will feature retailers who just a couple years ago were considered unlikely to do business in the neighborhood. Whole Foods Market and Starbucks are both expected to open next year at 63rd and Halsted streets.

Residents like [86-year-old Obbie Nephew] say that the development will help keep people in Englewood. The new Whole Foods will help because right now “there is nothing else in this neighborhood, you have to travel out," Nephew said.

Other locations in the development also have been filled.

This is also excellent news:

After Englewood Square is open, Fulton will work to bring developments mixing retail and housing to the neighborhood.

"In the next five years you will see a whole new community," Fulton said.

That's what I'd like to see Mr. Fulton!

I'd like to refer you to this slideshow, the man who had been responsible for various incarnations of Chicago history blogs would be put to shame by reporters Tanveer Ali and Andrea Watson at DNA Info. They provided quite a few old photos of the formerly thriving Englewood business district.