Dear Neighbor,
It was a huge honor to recently receive the “Friend of Rogers Park Award” from the Rogers Park Business Alliance in recognition for my commitment to serving Rogers Park. It was a full-circle moment for me as I reflected on my mother Ramona’s long-standing Rogers Park business, Salon Pastiché, which was located at 1226 W. Loyola for 25 years.
A few days later, my staff and I visited Archie’s Cafe and Roman Susan Art Gallery (right next to the former location of my mom’s salon). This is the flatiron and iconic building at 1224 to 1234 W. Loyola next to the Loyola Red Line Station. Loyola University purchased the entire building and plans to demolish it. I hold vivid memories of Kristin and Nathan Abhalter Smith – owners and directors of Roman Susan – and my mom devising a calming color scheme for her salon in this space in 2017. During our visit, I reflected on the years my mother contributed to the vibrancy of Rogers Park serving and befriending people from all walks of life, and building community with Roberta Schmatz, owner of Archie’s Cafe, along with Nathan Abhalter Smith and Kristin at Roman Susan art space. My heart is heavy as Archie’s closes its last week serving the Rogers Park community as they are displaced from the building.
I will continue to stand with the Rogers Park and Edgewater communities in strongly demanding that this historic building at 1224 - 1234 W. Loyola be preserved, and that the residents – many longtime Rogers Park residents – keep their housing and remain in the neighborhood. We must demand better and prevent needless land-grabs in communities like ours that deserve true investment, not displacement. This building and its history are a key part of Rogers Park’s history, and I will continue to fight for its historic preservation as a cultural and economic landmark.
Sincerely,
Senator Mike Simmons
7th Senate District
Senator Simmons Receives “Friend of Rogers Park” Award from Rogers Park Business Alliance
Caption: Executive Director of the Rogers Park Business Alliance, Sandi Price, and South of the Border restaurant owner, Antonio Diaz, present Senator Simmons with the “Friend of Rogers Park Award.”
Caption: The “Friend of Rogers Park Award” plaque by artist Lisa Harris, of the Senator playing piano with a dog in front of a store grand opening, public transit, bikes, doggos, and more!
I recently had the great honor of receiving the “Friend of Rogers Park Award” from the Rogers Park Business Alliance! Thank you to Executive Director Sandi Price, entrepreneur and South of the Border Restaurant owner Antonio Diaz, and the entire Rogers Park community for such a wonderful recognition. It was a very touching moment for me, the proud son of a longtime Rogers Park salon owner to be honored by a community of small business owners.
Last year, I was thrilled to secure $2.5 million specifically for mom and pop shops and storefronts in our district. Together we were able to provide grants to 45 Rogers Park small businesses alongside 180 additional businesses across the 7th District! I will continue to go to the moon and back to help our mom and pop small businesses, and I will always be a Friend of Rogers Park.
The unique artwork on my award was done by a local West Ridge artist, Lisa Harris. I loved seeing myself sitting at a piano celebrating a grand opening with the community!
Roman Susan Art Gallery Visit and Reflection
on 1224-1234 W. Loyola
Caption: Senator Simmons shares his memories of Roman Susan Gallery, located in Rogers Park, in light of their pending displacement.
The flatiron and unique building at 1224-1234 W. Loyola Ave has a special place in my heart. Over the past few months, I’m sure you have heard the news that Loyola University has purchased the building and is planning for its demolition, which contains beloved Archie’s Cafe, 35 affordable apartments, Roman Susan Art Gallery, and my mom’s former salon space, Salon Pastiché. In preparation for Loyola’s eviction of tenants and demolition of the building, Roman Susan Art Gallery put together an exhibit of works created and curated by the residents and supporters of 1234 W. Loyola. My staff and I paid a visit to see the art gallery in-person and met with Nathan Abhalter Smith, the gallery’s Managing Director.
Caption: Senator Simmons with Roman Susan Art Gallery Managing Director, Nathan Smith.
My favorite art piece was a tapestry with the words “STOP REPEATING HISTORY.” It is a travesty that we have seen gentrification overtake our community’s history time and time again, with the planned demolition of 1224-1234 W. Loyola being another case of history repeating itself. Nathan and I also shared memories of my mom’s salon, including when the art gallery collaborated with my mom to paint the walls yellow. In the photo below, you can see my mom’s old salon space where as a kid I used to help answer calls from customers while she styled her diverse clients, help mom with errands like taking out the trash and grabbing her Ethiopian food for lunch, and keeping her company and looking after my sister until she was done with work.
Caption: Senator Simmons and summer intern, Dohyeon, share a moment in his mom’s former salon space, now the east part of Archie’s Cafe. See the yellow wall in the background? That is a remnant of the art collaboration between Senator Simmons’ mom, Ramona, and Roman Susan Gallery! Mike’s mom proudly opened her own salon at 31 years old as a single mom with two children in tow while going back to school!
News Stories about the 1224-1234 W. Loyola Building
Demolition and Displacement
Caption: Archie’s Cafe and Salon Pastiché at 1224-1234 W. Loyola Ave.
- State Senator Mike Simmons Embodies Rogers Park Representation by The Loyola Phoenix
- Rogers Parkers To Loyola: Stop Demolishing Buildings With Small Businesses, Longtime Residents by Block Club Chicago
- Roman Susan’s Future Uncertain After Loyola Purchase by WBEZ Chicago
- Mission: Demolition? by Chicago Reader
- Archie's Cafe In Rogers Park Closing Next Week. Say Goodbye At Its 'End Of An Era' Bash by Block Club Chicago
Glenwood Arts Festival 2024 Recap
This past month also featured the Glenwood Arts Festival along Morse Avenue. Thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped carry our supplies, set up our tent, and greet folks with welcoming arms. I appreciate our 7th District village and their eager support in volunteering to meet the needs of our constituents.
Caption: Heather Saenger, Chief of Staff, and a couple of our AMAZING volunteers working our booth at the Glenwood Arts Festival.
Through rain and shine, Glenwood Arts Festival hosted a weekend full of love, joy, and art for Rogers Park with dozens of artisans, local food, and inspiring performances. For the third year in a row, my team and an outstanding array of volunteers loved chatting with everyone who stopped by our tent, making sure you are connected with our office! A HUGE thank you to those volunteers from our long-standing coalition and Edgewater Castle Football Club for helping us set up in the rain, and thank you to all of the organizers who brought the community another fun, welcoming, hyper-local event. We cannot wait to do it again next year! Double kudos to Andrew Swanson for also volunteering at our Senn High School Back to School Bash!
Caption: Edgewater Castle Football Club volunteered with us for Sunday at Glenwood Arts Festival. Thank you to the staff and players who came out!
Caption: Constituents grabbing drawstring backpacks, collateral, and lollipops while chatting with volunteers and staff!
Thank you for taking the time to read my newsletter! If you ever want to reach out to our office, please call us at 773-769-1717, and we will respond promptly. We can also be reached at
