W E D N E S D A Y
June 12, 2019 Vol. 39, No. 45 ONE DOLLAR @oakpark @wednesdayjournal
JOURNAL of Oak Park and River Forest
SAY Connects
What holds a community together? Page 17
Boutique used car showroom eyed for Lake Street Want to transform shuttered car wash space near Austin Boulevard By BOB SKOLNIK Contributing Reporter
A new high-end used car showroom, with an automotive themed art gallery, could be coming to Lake and Austin in just a few months. Eric Shropshire, a 61-year-old photographer and car nut who lives in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood is planning to transform the now closed Minit Car Wash, 7 Lake St., into a used car showroom featuring higher end, mostly German cars. The proposed showroom will be just west of the One Lake brew pub that just opened. Both properties are owned by developer Greg Sorg, who is on a mission to transform the intersection of Lake and Austin into a destination. “In my opinion it falls in line with what we’re trying to do with that corridor, where it’s a little bit edgy and hip but upscale and higher standard than what we’ve seen in the past few years over there,” Sorg said. Last year Shropshire started a business, See CAR BOUTIQUE on page 13
ALEXA ROGALS/Staff Photographer
HELLO IN THERE: John Prine, award-winning songwriter, answered questions about his long music career on Thursday, June 6, during a private event at Val’s halla Records in the Oak Park Arts District.
The evening John Prine stopped by Val’s Legendary folk singer wanted to give old pal’s shop a boost
By DOUG DEUCHLER
I
Contributing Reporter
t’s no secret that Val’s halla Records, 239 Harrison St. in the Arts District, has been struggling. Val Camilletti (19392018), the long-time proprietor, was one of Oak Park’s most beloved figures for over four decades. For 46 years Val sold
new and used records while sharing her warmth and wisdom about music ranging from ragtime to rock. She died of cancer while in hospice care nearly a year ago. Through the decades, while developing a large number of devoted customers, Val had also got to know many musicians, especially those with local roots. One who was especially significant was John Prine
from Maywood. Val actually helped John choose his first pressings for his records. Shayne Blakely, who spent half of his 38 years working at Val’s halla, continues to manage the store. He pays the bills, builds relationships, and sells new and used vinyl, cassettes, and CD’s, ever hustling to See JOHN PRINE on page 13