Hancock Fabrics on Broadway. Credit: Lyle Bright
Hancock Fabrics located at 6101 N Broadway is slated to close it’s doors after the New Year. Last year, the owner of the property, which also includes the Walgreen’s currently under redevelopment next door at 6125 N Broadway, proposed a plan to demolish the building where Hancock Fabrics resides and build a bank. That plan was opposed by both Alderman Osterman and the local community. Therefore, the owner has decided instead to retain and update the building, which was originally built in 1923 as a Studebaker auto showroom. Hancock Fabrics’ current lease runs through the end of January 2013.
That being said, when we contacted the 48th Ward office they remain hopeful that Hancock Fabrics will remain in the Edgewater community. “Upon learning this, my office reached out to the national real estate team for Hancock Fabrics to communicate our desire to see them remain in the community,” Alderman Osterman stated. “Their business has long-served 48th ward residents and customers from throughout the city. Hancock Fabrics has communicated that they are interested in staying in the neighborhood but need a little less space. My office has been working directly with their national team on possible new locations that would be a great fit for the future. We have connected them with local property owners and strongly hope that they will be able to stay in the neighborhood.”
What will replace Hancock Fabrics at 6101 N Broadway remains to be seen. The property owner is finalizing the plan to redevelop the existing building and bring in a new tenant who will utilize the entire space. The 48th Ward stated that they should have more information on a new tenant in early 2013.