Neighborhood Hangout Brews Up a Sale

My roommate, a patron of the bar, tipped me off to the sale a few weeks ago. Archie's bills itself as "Chicago's legendary Old Man Bar since 1943. " It's the quintessential neighborhood hangout, tucked away amongst brick two-flats and bungalows on a residential corner just far enough away from the bustle of Western Avenue.  Locals have been going there for decades and it's likely not much has changed since the 1940s, the same family still owns and runs it today.

Thankfully I was the first on the scene and had no competition for the rows and rows of Jim Beam novelty decanters, souvenir shotglasses and steins, metal beer trays, swizzle sticks and neon advertising signs dating from the 1940s-80s. Besides the bar-centric memorabilia, I found pocket knives, costume jewelry, metal and plastic lunchboxes, 1950s Christmas ornaments and the most unusual find of the day, a little parachute doll that apparently had been used in one of the World Wars (not sure which) to send messages over enemy lines.

As boxes were still being taken outside and signs posted in the neighborhood, I was invited inside the bar to peruse. Debbie, daughter of the original owner Archie Boraca (yes, there really was an Archie),  said that most of the items had been bought by her father, an avid collector. She too had been bitten by the bug and sold antiques at Kane County Flea Market and at a store in Navy Pier for several years. Now she's looking to clear out some of the decades-old accumulation that until this yard sale had been stored in the bar's backroom.

Nothing was priced; I just made a small pile of items then haggled with Debbie over my total. The beer trays ranged from $10-$25, still-full Jim Beam decanters in the shape of pagodas, dueling pistols and grizzly bears were $20 each, metal bottle openers and shot glasses could be had for a dollar. While the decorative whiskey decanters were not ideal in terms of aging and storage, Debbie said the liquor was still drinkable--she'd tried some a while back and said it was "sweeter" than today's brew that has more of a chemical taste in comparison.

An item that I regret passing on is a pair of Jim Beam ceramic decanters in the shape of owls, one male and the other female, that Debbie said a local ornithologist had identified as specific to the region of Illinois. Archie's was also open for business during the sale and while I said no to a morning drink, a few customers after me decided to settle into the well-worn stools and toast their vintage finds with a cold brew.

If you missed the bar yard sale this Friday, you can look forward to Archie's upcoming sale in February that will focus on comic books, vintage toys and comic books.

Archie's is located at 2600 West Iowa in Chicago 60622.  Hours are Monday through Friday 4 pm to 2 am.  6 pm to 3 am on Saturday.