Keep Dr. Wax Open

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  • Send To:
    Harper Court Foundation, Ald. Toni Preckwinkle
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It was recently made public that the internationally revered record store Dr. Wax, located at 5225 S. Harper Court, will be closing its door August 31st, 2007 due to an increase in the cost of their lease. Dr. Wax has been a Hyde Park institution for over a decade, supporting hundreds of local and underground artists who otherwise would have had no Chicago market. It has directly influenced the artistic landscape of this great musical city and has consistently placed integrity and artistry over commercialism.

Harper Court was opened in 1965 as an artistic enclave, and that tradition has been largely preserved over the years. And while the Harper Court Foundations (the NFP that manages the property) website lists their mission as promoting programs, individuals and activities, including those artistic and cultural in nature, that benefit the community by contributing to increased employment, payroll, {and} business volume, we can think of no greater loss to Chicago's artistic community than this most valuable asset. Every effort should be made to offer Dr. Wax and its owner Sam Greenberg a rental rate that will allow Dr. Wax to remain open.

On behalf of all the musicians, DJs, and music fans who have benefited from the musical education Dr. Wax has offered us over the years, we ask the Harper Court Foundation and Alderman Toni Preckwinkle to understand the tremendous loss this would be to the community, and make every effort to retain Dr. Wax as a tenant in Harper Court at a manageable rent.

1658 Signatures

  • Marcus Davis
  • Alazeem Hameed
    • Comments
    • Please dont turn Hyde Park into something else...
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 3900 S. Prarie Avenue 60653
  • charlette stanton
  • Anika Ellison
  • Jeremy Randall
  • Jarvis Mason
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60651
  • tina johnson
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60637
  • Juan C Gonzalez
    • Comments
    • A tragedy to say the list. Dwayne, you're my boy!
  • Edith A. Giles
  • Ms. Charlie Chapel
  • Jason
  • Paula Harris
    • Profession
    • prodcution/promotion
  • Javann Ulmer
  • Kathleen Papp
    • Comments
    • Dr. Wax is part of my saturday ritual, it is one of the few places left in chicago that you can get local music
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 606019
    • Profession
    • Office Manager
  • Damon F Shareef
  • Brett C. Morrison
    • Profession
    • Dj
  • A.
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60615
    • Profession
    • student
  • Skyla Hearn
    • Comments
    • We need to support small local businesses to keep money within our communities. I hope this petition helps. Dr. Wax has always been one of my favorite places in the city. The customer service as well as inventory of music surpasses any music store in the city.
  • Gabriel Ledezma
    • Comments
    • Support Dr. Wax. Dont let gentrification and high property taxes take away another Chicago staple.
    • Profession
    • Social Worker
  • Decoi
    • Comments
    • they always want to revoke what is positive!
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60641
    • Profession
    • Poet/Emcee
  • Tanya Reed
    • Comments
    • I am a jazz/soul vocalist who put my CD, "Tanya Reed Live in Chicago" in 2002. Dr. Wax sold my record and I have benefited in so many ways, professionally, socially and spiritually from this opportunity. I am reduced to tears. I would love to offer my services in hopes of keeping this store alive.
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60653
    • Profession
    • Production Manager for Choir Academy Charter School, Jazz Vocalist, and Agent 4 Social Change
  • marcus ingram
    • Comments
    • В
    • Address, Zip Code
    • В
    • Profession
    • В
  • Erika Jones
  • Marlon Boykins
  • Sharonda Stewart
    • Profession
    • business owner
  • Christopher A. Davis
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 4625 S. Drexel Bvld apt 117
    • Profession
    • DEEJAY
  • Heather Black
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 1907 W Potomac Ave - 2, 60622
    • Profession
    • Educator
  • Tanisha Riggins
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60827
    • Profession
    • Executive Assistant
  • Brandon
  • ButterflyBAP
    • Comments
    • Please keep it open!
  • Sean Pidgeon
    • Comments
    • Closing Dr. Wax would do extensive damage to Chicago's Soulful Music Community
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60649
  • ishnock baptiste rock
    • Comments
    • dr. wax should be a historical landmark in hyde park. The things that they have done musically for the hyde park community should be recognized and respected . Keep Dr.Wax open for business.
  • Kimeco
    • Comments
    • KEEP DR WAX OPEN!
    • Profession
    • artist
  • Will Perez
    • Comments
    • Dr. Wax is a piece of Chicago hip hop history and closing it would be a ridiculous travesty.
  • Melvin Ghoston
  • William Brown
  • Mohamed Mehdi
    • Profession
    • Educator
  • Shauntia mcnair
  • Nikolas Ollie
  • donnie seals jr.
    • Profession
    • photographer / filmmaker
  • LaNissa Trice
  • Josephine Ansah
  • Phillip Bond
    • Comments
    • Please keep it open, Great Store, Great Staff.
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 100 Grand Avenue Brooklyn, Ny 11205
    • Profession
    • Librarian
  • Tracy Peterson
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 4047 West 127th Street
    • Profession
    • Administration
  • CEDRIC TATE
    • Comments
    • i find it very offensive to close yet another musical landmark
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 5412 w. quincy 60644
    • Profession
    • musician
  • Abraham Leon
    • Comments
    • This is my most influential music store. Do not shut it down!!!
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60406
    • Profession
    • Hip-Hop Artist/College Recruiter
  • Sean Smith
  • Crystal Foster
    • Comments
    • It would be a travesty to let this Chicago landmark disappear. Keep Dr. Wax Open.
  • Bryan Millhouse
    • Profession
    • CPA
  • Carla Stillwell
    • Address, Zip Code
    • 60605
    • Profession
    • Writer/Actress