Despite its gentrifying residential area and the encroachment of high-ticket venues, there is an attempt to maintain the eclectic, artistic environment. The result is a mix of cool, wannabe cool and couldn't care less about cool (hence, really cool) stops. 

The intersection of Damen, Milwaukee and North Avenue ("ground zero") is where much of the commercial boom has resonated. 

Most of the gallery action (like Ten In One Gallery on Damen and Beret International on Milwaukee) is here, anchored by the Around the Coyote art show each September. But there's more to Wicker Park these days. Other eclectic business strips run along the border or cut a swath through residential sections.