“Meet Me on Milwaukee” replaces the usual traffic, honking and backup of cars on Milwaukee Avenue with sidewalk sales, exercise classes, live music and more.
“This is really about enjoying the streetscape and supporting the businesses of that street that maybe when you’re driving or in a normal bike lane, you just can’t see all of what’s available in the street," said Pamela Maas, Executive Director of the Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber of Commerce.
She said the series, which had its inaugural event Sunday, shuts down Milwaukee Avenue between the North and Damen intersection and Ashland Avenue, leaving it open only to cyclists and pedestrians.
It takes place on the last Sunday of each month through October, a day Maas said was chosen intentionally.
"We picked the last Sunday of every single month because it’s actually the quietest day to disrupt traffic," she said.
And for the most part, Maas said, residents and drivers have been understanding of the reroutes, especially considering how much attention the series could bring to local businesses in the area.
"We have 150 brick and mortars right here in the footprint," she said. "It’s been so fun seeing people meeting in the middle of the street with their dog and their stroller and hugging and the joy on their face as they look around historic Milwaukee Avenue.”
Local business owners said the event could bring a whole new group of people to these stores.
Tim Gillengerten is the owner of Chicago merch store Transit Tees.
"We have people that come in all the time and say, 'Oh I'm always walking by just never stopped in,'" he said. "It’s sort of that day where you can do something like this, explore the neighborhood, finally go into neighborhoods you’ve never taken the opportunity to really check out."
He said "Meet Me on Milwaukee" also makes walking the street and exploring these businesses easier.
“I like that you can have this opportunity to feel a little bit like a renegade" Gillengerten said. "You don’t have to worry about cars. You can shop at your leisure and enjoy the beautiful day.”
The next "Meet Me on Milwaukee" events will feature some programming, including yoga and dance classes. The next two events take place Sept. 28 and Oct. 26.