Tenenbaum Hardware In Lakeview Will Become 5-Story Apartment Building With City Council Approval

LAKEVIEW — A plan to convert beloved third-generation hardware store Tenenbaum True Value Hardware into a five-story apartment building received City Council approval Friday.

A proposal by SNS Realty Group to rezone the property to allow for a development replacing the hardware store at 1138 W. Belmont Ave. was approved during the council’s Friday meeting.

The plan calls for 33 apartments, 16 parking spaces and 28 bicycle parking stalls, according to documents filed with Ald. Tom Tunney’s (44th) office. The project will be a transit-oriented development, meaning it has lower parking requirements because of its proximity to the Belmont “L” station.

Pam and Steve Lipshutz, siblings and third-generation co-owners of Tenenbaum, announced last week that the store was gearing up to close after 98 years in business. The store began its closing sale last Thursday, with the goal of selling everything down to its fixtures and equipment over the next two months.

“We’ve gotten very emotional about closing, it’s so bittersweet after all these years,” Steve Lipshutz said.

Credit: Jake Wittich/Block Club Chicago

The siblings fought back tears as they discussed the store’s closing last week.

“We’ve made a lot of great friends that are customers over the years, and I know they’re heartbroken,” Pam Lipshutz said. “But it’s just time. The building is tired, we’re tired and business isn’t what it used to be.”

Pam Lipshutz said the store has come to be known for its friendly atmosphere where anyone can come in and ask for hardware help without feeling judged or brushed off by staff. Over the years, the family’s hardware store has become known for top-notch service from people who treat customers like family.

Throughout the years, customers have been invited to the siblings’ weddings, and they’ve attended funerals for a few customers in the past year.

“It’s almost like family. That’s why closing is hard,” Steve Lipshutz said. “It’s like saying bye to family.”

Jake Wittich is a Report for America corps member covering Lakeview, Lincoln Park and LGBTQ communities across the city for Block Club Chicago.

Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods.

Already subscribe? Click here to support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.