Monday, January 19, 2009

Soo Liquors Window Broken


Sometime during the evening hours, Soo Liquors, 1420 West Morse Avenue, had the front window smashed. It's unknown at this time if this was the work of a disgruntled customer, a vandal, or a just a plain old break-in. Soo Liquors is considered by many to be the epicenter of the woes that plaque Morse Avenue.

This business always seems to rise to the top as a hot button topic at the monthly CAPS 2431 meetings. As you can notice by the photo, the exterior of the building has two mounted cameras attached. If working, this video should provide evidence as to who did this dirty deed.

28 comments:

Unknown said...

Yep - Soo Liquor is an eyesore and seems to gather a group of trouble outside. We could certainly do without it on Morse. All of the open storefronts up here - someone should open a decent liquor store.

The North Coast said...

We won't see a good liquor store on Morse until we get the problems on that street in hand. It would help a lot if we didn't have so many establishments like Soo in the area, which cater to the very people we don't want in the neighborhood.

No one had a right to break into the store, of course. But the ownership of seedy businesses like this ought to consider that you reap what you sow. If you make a living off catering to the tastes of low-life type people, don't complain because those seem to be the only people you can attract.

RP Free Speech said...

Personally, I have entered Soo Liquors once. That was enough.

The prices are lower than Dominick's--perhaps that's what is attracting a certain element?

A new liquor store would not solve the problem--Having NO liquor stores on Morse might. But, as you know, Craig, the owners are contributors to Citizens for (cough, hack!) Joe Moore.

floss said...

Soo has a history of donating to Moore.

Lansky said...

just want to give a shout-out. the liquor store at clark and columbia is awesome. their selection if beers from around the world is fantastic, and they put on regular wine tastings for the community. plus, the guys there are always helpful, and it doesn't have the 'element' that you find hanging around Soo. no, i don't work there or own the joint. just a guy from the neighborhood who wants to see good businesses succeed.

I heart the R.P. said...

Lansky is right. It Rogers Park Wine & Spirits, across the street from the McDonalds.
I think Soo has cleaned up its act considerably from a year or two ago.

The North Coast said...

I have been in the liquor store lansky refers to and I agree with him. It's a great place with a nice selection of wines and a good atmosphere, very well-maintained and absolutely no drunks and louts milling about the door.

Clark St. said...

Lansky: There have been several arrests in the last couple of weeks near El Mexicano Liquors.
Looks like his enlarged store is having an impact on the community already.
Thanks Joey!
The bribe that Ahmed Odeh, a resident of Joliet, paid you is causing problems for Rogers Park.
Gee, who woulda thunk it?

proGun said...

Was at the store on Clark on Saturday picked up a 4 pack of Delirium. Made an awesome party gift.

The guy who owns and runs the place is a class act and loves our neighborhood.

Craig Gernhardt said...

===the owners are contributors to Citizens for (cough, hack!) Joe Moore.===

Are you calling Joe Moore dirty?

Craig Gernhardt said...

===The bribe that Ahmed Odeh, a resident of Joliet, paid you is causing problems for Rogers Park.===

Are you saying Joe Moore accepted some kind of bribe, or something? Please explain.

Craig Gernhardt said...

===Soo has a history of donating to Moore.===

Donating what?

Clark St. said...

Joey took a $1500 [ahem] contribution from Odeh & magically, the moratorium on new or expanded liquor licenses on Clark from Devon north to Touhy secretly disappeared. Moore & O'Connor had both agreed on it. When Odeh applied is when the neighborhood found out about the moratorium removal.
The moratorium is back, but not until after Odeh got his license to move the liquor into the bigger, corner store.

Philip McGregor Rogers said...

soo liquors
should spiff itself up a little more thats for sure
but its not so bad that i will drive for beer or liquor

round the clock liquors on howard has done a better job in being a neat and clean store in the hood.
and that is what soo liquors should aspire to be.

a good general no nonsense liquor store, with less of the real crap
I am most offended by the really bad wine they have, I wont buy wine there, im not picky but ive tasted absolutely undrinkable wine on 2 occasions from there

By the way craig
i like your new logo

The North Coast said...

Lower prices don't hurt, for most people of any income bracket will shop for the cheapest price. That's why I go down to Binny's to buy instead of buying around here, and friends of mine with cars run up to Wisconsin to stock up.

What helps a liquor store attract good traffic and avoid becoming a draw for lowlifes is maintaining a good appearance, and carrying the kind of merchandise that pickier buyers want, while avoiding stuff, like loose cans of beer and malt, and garbage wine, that appeal to the customers you don't want.

RP Free Speech said...

Yes, Craig, I say Joe Moore has been dirty for quite a number of years now.

"Pay-to-Play" should be UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR on the part of an elected servant of the people.

Joe's gotta go!

Razldazlrr said...

I stopped into Soo once after I moved up here - I was pretty creeped out when I went in but thought I would take a chance. I bought two bottles of wine - they were god awful and not that cheap! I wondered if they had been sitting on the shelves for years. I will shop at a local business and pay a little bit more for the convenience. It's sad that Moore let Soo stay. I will definitely check out the place everyone recommended

Unknown said...

And don't forget Taste wine shop up on Jarvis. They have a great selection of wines for very reasonable prices, as well as an interesting selection of beers.

The folks at Taste made a big investment in our community. They don't sell half-pints of swill to local criminals, and they also deserve our community's support.

Hillari said...

It's been years since I've been inside Soo's. I was told by a friend when I first moved into the neighborhood that Soo's was bad news. I only needed to go in there a few times to learn they were right.

The perpetrators could have been anybody, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was someone who regularly hangs out in front of the place.

Man On The Street said...

On a sorta related note, anyone going to the inauguration party thing at the Morese tonight? Debating whether I want to go there myself or just stay at home. The free concert is what might draw me out there.

jeff in chicago said...

The only place I've seen/read complaints about Soo's is here. I live in the same block, but on Lunt. It's the closest place. I go there for beer and smokes (and the occasional bottle of whiskey) and I've never seen anything unseemly. Never been approached at the door. The prices are good and the help is friendly.

Eyesore? It barely has a street presence. Every store across the street looks far worse. I think Soo's is a handy whipping post for many of you.

Razldazlrr said...

Taste Wine shop on Jarvis? Can you give me more of an idea where it is? I don't remember seeing it. Is it near the Alderman's office?

Unknown said...

Taste is across Jarvis from the Alderman's office.

Unknown said...

Taste is across Jarvis from the Alderman's office.

Man On The Street said...

Taste is on the same side of the street as Charmers Cafe, about two door west.

chris said...

Link to:Taste Food and Wine

Free tastings Monday and Friday 6:30 - 7:30ish. They do special orders and will order you a case for 10% off. Try the cupcakes.

chris said...

I'm sorry the free tastings are from 6 - 7:30 Monday and Friday.

Razldazlrr said...

I looked them up, got on their mailing list and I will definitely check out the tastings! Thanks for the info

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