Julia Nash and her family have begun the process to designate the original WaxTrax Chicago storefront landmark status with the city of Chicago. Chris lends his support to the effort and remembers 2449 N. Lincoln Ave. fondly:
Walking into the WAXTRAX! store on North Lincoln was PARADISE for any music fan, music collector, record nerd, fashion fanatic, manic panic manipulator, a haven for the shaven, a shelter for the shaggy, LGBTQ… it was all there for you, from the eccentric staff (myself included) to the latest TUXEDOMOON import, or maybe a MARTHA & THE VANDELLAS greatest hits album. On any given day, the often belligerent (but loveable) staff might play the most awkwardly terrifying NURSE WITH WOUND album whilst smoking and downing a six pack of St. Pauli Girl lager behind the counter, studiously ignoring the customers.
Posters from DEPECHE MODE to SID VICIOUS hung around, and upstairs you could maybe try on an asymmetrical dress while Robert Plant sat in a chair studying the latest British Rock magazine…
Those were loud, rhythmic, creative and hedonistic times, in a beautifully inclusive setting…