Since the 1970s, the part of Uptown known simultaneously as New Chinatown, North Chinatown, Little Saigon, New Saigon, or simply “Argyle Street,” has developed into a unique multiethnic enclave of bustling businesses offering groceries, restaurants, bakeries, professional services, etc. mostly geared toward Chinese, Vietnamese, Cambodian, other Asian consumers. It is popular with local Asian residents but also draws visitors from throughout the greater Chicagoland region with its unique offerings. Follow the links below to learn more about Chicago’s Asian Marketplace: Argyle Street.
The Roots of Argyle
A Mural of Celebration
Completed in 2005, the Roots of Argyle mural was conceived, funded and executed on the exterior of the supermarket at the southwest corner of Argyle and Winthrop. The Roots of Argyle is a centennial celebration of the historic movers and shakers of the community that made up Argyle Street from 1900 to 2000. The artist chose the front doorway façade of the old Essanay Studios on Argyle Street as the main architectural motif of the mural.
Click on the mural image to visit the dedicated website for the Roots of Argyle mural and explore the variety of people who have called Argyle Street - and Uptown - their home.
Discover Asia
on Argyle Exploring the Future
Ald. Mary Ann Smith (48th Ward), Ald. Helen Shiller (46th Ward), and Uptown United reached out to the Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) and the Urban Land Institute-Chicago (ULI) to conduct a ULI Technical Assistance Panel for the Argyle District. The panel brought together experts in the fields of business and community development, marketing, real estate development, planning, and design. The panel also included volunteers with relevant cultural knowledge of the community to ensure the recommendations were grounded and realistic, given the district’s unique ethnic makeup. The panel met in November 2008 to explore marketing, leadership development, and physical design solutions to improve and sustain the district in the face of new market realities. Released in May 2009, the study presents a snapshot of greater Argyle Street business district today and explores new ways of encouraging customer retention and developing a broader base of customers to sustain its character and thriving business mix.
Click on the cover image to download a PDF of the Discover Asia on Argyle study.
UPDATE October 2009: Metropolitan Planning Council (MPC) included the "Asia on Argyle" report in a short YouTube video discussing MPC's 75th anniversary. Kelly Cheng of Sun Wah BBQ appears at about 5:10 in the seven-minute video. Click to watch.