BLACKHAWKS ARE GOOD FOR THE HOOD

Blackhawks Give West Loop Neighborhood A Big Boost
Roseanne Tellez
CBS 2 News

• Nowhere is the enthusiasm for the Blackhawks greater than in the West Loop, a community experiencing some success of its own. CBS 2's Roseanne Tellez reports business is red hot.
•  At CrossRoads Bar & Grill on West Madison, just down the road from the United Center, they're prepping for one busy night. It's a haven for Blackhawks fans and they expect a packed house – again.
• "This is probably the first time in my life where I'm at the right place at the right time," said Dave Neuhauser, who says business is doing "very good."
• Neuhauser opened for business a year-and-a-half ago with a music theme. But with the Blackhawks on fire, he realized it was time to tweak the decor.
• "That's why you'll see more TVs and more Blackhawks memorabilia up on the walls," he said.
• "It's kind of like a community," said customer Nina Choi. "You want to be close to where they're winning, and you want to be where everybody else is."
• "To be honest, I don't know where I'd be without the Blackhawks," said Neuhauser. "I'm very grateful and I'm very thankful, and I wish them the best of luck."
• While fans have been coming to the West Loop for the hockey for years, now they're coming and staying; taking time to visit the many new pubs and restaurants in the shadow of the United Center.
• Chase Kendall says business at Third Rail Tavern is up about 60 percent over a couple of years ago.
• "We've all tried to put our best foot forward," Kendall said. "We know we're going to get a lot of traffic through here, and we want to show people what the West Loop has to offer."
• Jeff Ingalls, who lives in the neighborhood, said, "Growing up here, you drove through and hoped your car didn't break down on the way to the stadium. Bad neighborhood."
• And now?
• "It's fantastic," he said.
• Wife Amy confirms it's busier than ever.
• "Oh, absolutely. People are coming to this neighborhood to live," she said. "They used to just come to stop, and now they're staying, and shopping and living. It's great."
• Tonight, the Ingalls say they'll be rooting for the Blackhawks, and watching the procession of red jerseys march past their condo -- again.
• You can bet the sports bars in the West Loop will be hopping tonight for Game 2 of the Blackhawks vs. Flyers.
• Check out the game at one of these spots:
• Third Rail Tavern: 1133 West Madison
• The CrossRoads Bar & Grill: 1120 West Madison
• WestEnd: 1326 West Madison
• Allstar Sports Bar & Grill: 555 West Madison
• Billy Goat Inn: 1535 West Madison
• Market: 1113 West Randolph (upscale)

 A Blackhawk's championship would be a great thing for this town. Go Hawks!!