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LAKEVIEW — The late owner of Murphy’s Bleachers will be honored Sunday with a street sign in her name, next to her late husband’s sign, during the annual East Lakeview Neighbors Oktoberfest.
“Beth Murphy Way” will be unveiled 3 p.m. Sunday at Waveland and Sheffield avenues in front of the sports bar that has become a Wrigleyville staple.
A lifelong North Side resident and Cubs fan, Beth Murphy was ingrained for decades in the fabric of Wrigleyville and Murphy’s Bleachers, 3655 N. Sheffield Ave. After her husband, Jim Murphy, bought the bar in 1980, the two became recognizable figures in the flourishing Cubs culture.
Beth Murphy took over Murphy’s Bleachers in 2003 after her husband died. She became as integral to the community as the bar itself, said her son Brian Murphy.
“The legacy that she left behind was one of community activism at times, but really community building,” said Brian Murphy, current owner of Murphy’s Bleachers and Mrs. Murphy and Sons Pub, 3905 N. Lincoln Ave.
Over the years, Beth Murphy earned a reputation as a fierce advocate for rooftop owners and business owners when it came to park renovations. She captured the hearts of ballpark fans and Murphy’s Bleachers regulars who included former Cubs pitcher Rick Sutcliffe and and Pearl Jam singer Eddie Vedder, according to the Sun-Times.
Beth Murphy was president of East Lakeview Neighbors and led the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser to benefit local schools and organizations, according to the group’s website.
Beth Murphy had cancer and died in April. She was 68.
“It’s very fitting in my mind that [the street dedication is] happening on the same day as Oktoberfest, as Murphy’s Bleachers is a consummate reminder that one person can really make a difference in their community,” said Brian Murphy.
Murphy’s Bleachers will host the street sign reveal and tribute as a part of the East Lakeview Neighbors Oktoberfest 3:30-7 p.m. Sunday. The event will include traditional German food and drink along with $20,000 worth of silent auction items.
Tickets are $30 in advance and available for purchase on the East Lakeview Neighbors website.
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