The once gritty, sprawling industrial tract known as the Clybourn Corridor has evolved in the past nine years to feature some of the city's most outstanding loft living, dining and retail shopping opportunities. Meanwhile, it is keeping and adding some industrial and warehouse operations.

Indeed, with the openings of a large Crate & Barrel on the corner of Clybourn and North Avenue, Best Buy, Eastern Mountain Sports, Sam's Wines, Smith and Hawken, The Container Store, Seigle's Showroom, Bed, Bath & Beyond and Whole Foods, it seems as if the suburbs, or at least suburban shopping, is invading the urban neighborhood. Area residents don't need to wander far to find the things they want and need. Treasure Island, a grocery store offering exotic foods, popular hang-outs such as Goose Island Brewery, and a variety of lesser-known businesses have established themselves in the Corridor.

Another big retail center is Webster Place at Clybourn and Webster Avenues. The site includes an eight-screen movie theater, a variety of stores and 450 parking spaces.

The gateway to the Clybourn Corridor revival starts at North, Halsted and Clybourn. The 103-year-old Yondorf Hall, at 758 W. North, is now a LaSalle Bank. Across the street at 1600 N. Halsted is Clybourn Court, a $5.5 million retail center.

Residents know that nearby industries such as A Finkl & Sons, Lakin General and General Iron Industries have spent thousands of dollars to beautify the area, including landscaping, wrought iron fencing, and information kiosks.

The New City YMCA Local Economic and Employment Development Council has been of great assistance in achieving the balance of uses for this area.

Transportation
The area is served by the CTA's Ravenswood line with a stop at Sedgwick near North Avenue. The Howard-Dan Ryan line stops at North and Clybourn. Metra trains going north, northwest or to the Loop, stop at the Clybourn station, near Armitage, Ashland and Cortland. CTA buses also run on the major arteries.