Tag: businesses

Many of you may already be familiar with the exciting news that Access Contemporary Music (ACM) has officially begun construction on its new home at the former 7-Eleven site in Lakeview. The long-vacant lot at 4116 N. Clark St. is being transformed into ACM’s first dedicated performance and education space, marking a major milestone for the organization and the local arts community.

ACM, a nonprofit dedicated to bringing contemporary classical music to wider audiences, has been a staple in Chicago for years. This new venue will house a music school, rehearsal spaces, and a performance hall, creating a vibrant hub for musicians and music lovers alike. For our community, the renovation signals not only an investment in the arts but also a revitalization of a long-empty property that will now serve as a center for creativity and learning.

As construction gets underway, ACM is committed to keeping neighbors informed and engaged. If you haven’t already seen the recent coverage, check out these articles from WBEZ and Block Club Chicago for more details on their plans and vision:

ACM Starts Construction on North Side First Classical Music Venue (WBEZ)

ACM School Breaks Ground on Long-Vacant 7-Eleven Lot in Lakeview (Block Club Chicago)

We’ll continue to provide updates as ACM’s renovation progresses, your next opportunity to find out more about the renovation will be at our March 13th Meeting where we’ll be joined by Seth Bousted, ACM Executive Director.

ACM is currently enrolling students for Spring and Summer piano and voice lessons at this location.

Graceland West Community Association, GWCA, is pleased to welcome Access Contemporary Music, ACM, to the neighborhood at 4116 N Clark. This will be their newest class and performance space.

Seth Boustead, ACM Executive Director, let us know that ACM received their building permits the week before last and began construction on Monday, December 2nd at the Clark and Southport site previously rented to 7eleven.  They hope to do a soft open in July with a grand opening in September.

From their website:

ACM turns 20 this year! Over the last twenty years we’ve commissioned hundreds of composers, taught musical creativity to thousands of students in our storefront music schools, produced hundreds of concerts throughout Chicago and beyond, created a nationally syndicated PBS series featuring newly commissioned music inspired by architecture and produced innovative programs like the Thirsty Ears Festival, Sound of Silent Film, Composer Alive and Meditative Mondays.  

Their interior space will be all new and include four teaching rooms and seating for performances.  ACM is now offering sign-up for summer lessons in piano and voice at this location through their website.   

Boustead was one of over 400 applicants who applied for Chicago’s Community Development Fund grant, and one of just 40 total grant recipients city-wide.  ACM is now fundraising for staffing, programming, construction costs not covered by the grant, and hopefully a small cash reserve to ensure that they are sustainable.  Here is a link to their fundraising page, fundraiser.

Lakeview Taproom, located within Graceland West and friends of GWCA, is proud to announce they have opened a coffee house! Sticking to their goal to connect local Chicago businesses to neighbors, their coffee is provided by Hexe Coffee Co.

The coffee house is open from 7am-3pm every day. Their menu has fresh coffees, tea, espresso, and baked goods. The taproom drink menu will be available during these hours as well.

Lakeview Taproom and Coffee House is located at 1426 W Irving Park Road, Chicago, IL. You can reserve this space for a private event through their contact page, or you can just stop by and try one of their treats.

Use this link to view their new menu.