BadgerDave Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 Does anyone have the address of the Hamer Alington Heights factory? I'm thinking of driving by, seeing what's there now and snapping a photo or two (which I'll post here).Am I crazy or do I remember that they moved from Arlington Heights to Palatine (or vice versa) at some point? Anyone have the Palatine address?Or, given that Arlington Heights and Palatine are adjacent suburbs, did the factory stay in the same place and the dividing line change?
Thundernotes Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 835 West University DriveArlington Heights, IL 60004
hamerjunkie Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 I enlarged the Vernon Reid ad on the HFC ad page, the addy looks like it is 835 West University Drive in Arlington Heights, and just checked an old Guitar Player that shows that address in 1984.......then I did google maps thing with the satellite view, and it also shows a front view, but I can`t read what is there now....Tnotes, ya beat me......
serial Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 I think that they were on Wood or Woodwork Lane in Palatine if memory serves.
mirrorimij Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 The University Drive address is in an industrial park. Not exactly a spot most would consider a tourist attraction. I used to live in a condo right down the road. My commute to work was about two minutes on my Cannondale.
Hamerica Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 Does anyone have the address of the Hamer Alington Heights factory? I'm thinking of driving by, seeing what's there now and snapping a photo or two (which I'll post here).Am I crazy or do I remember that they moved from Arlington Heights to Palatine (or vice versa) at some point? Anyone have the Palatine address?Or, given that Arlington Heights and Palatine are adjacent suburbs, did the factory stay in the same place and the dividing line change?Hey Badger Dave,I think this is best time line for Hamer Guitars. The first "factory" was actually the music store that Jol and Paul Hamer had and did repairs for vintage guitars. They were an authorized repair shop for Gibson if memory serves correctly. The store was back in the early Seventies and it was Northern Prairie Music, in Wilmette, IL. Sorry, I don't have the address but I think that there were at least a couple of early Hamers that came out of there. I remember seeing this on an older website that Jol had that mentioned the Hamers at the Smithsonian. Maybe someone older or more familiar with the Chicago market can provide that address.The "offical" Hamer Factory listing per the Catalogs was first shop in Palatine, IL. The address is 544 Wood Street Palatine, IL. 60067 The second location listed was the Arlington Heights, IL. You already have that location and I miss that place have some great memories there.Of course the operation moved to the current location in New Hartford. I hope you post your pics here. It would be cool to "walk down" memory lane. Best wishes,Hamerica
BubbaVO Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 The University Drive address is in an industrial park. Not exactly a spot most would consider a tourist attraction. Not too far away in an office park tucked amongst the suburbia of Lincolnshire was the HQ of Newman-Haas racing. Never know what you'll find driving around the Chicago suburbs.
BadgerDave Posted January 9, 2009 Author Posted January 9, 2009 Thanks to all.I'll do a drive by this weekend and post photos.
RacerX Posted January 9, 2009 Posted January 9, 2009 Does anyone have the address of the Hamer Alington Heights factory? I'm thinking of driving by, seeing what's there now and snapping a photo or two (which I'll post here).Am I crazy or do I remember that they moved from Arlington Heights to Palatine (or vice versa) at some point? Anyone have the Palatine address?Or, given that Arlington Heights and Palatine are adjacent suburbs, did the factory stay in the same place and the dividing line change?Hey Badger Dave,I think this is best time line for Hamer Guitars. The first "factory" was actually the music store that Jol and Paul Hamer had and did repairs for vintage guitars. They were an authorized repair shop for Gibson if memory serves correctly. The store was back in the early Seventies and it was Northern Prairie Music, in Wilmette, IL. Sorry, I don't have the address but I think that there were at least a couple of early Hamers that came out of there. I remember seeing this on an older website that Jol had that mentioned the Hamers at the Smithsonian. Maybe someone older or more familiar with the Chicago market can provide that address.The "offical" Hamer Factory listing per the Catalogs was first shop in Palatine, IL. The address is 544 Wood Street Palatine, IL. 60067 The second location listed was the Arlington Heights, IL. You already have that location and I miss that place have some great memories there.Of course the operation moved to the current location in New Hartford. I hope you post your pics here. It would be cool to "walk down" memory lane. Best wishes,HamericaHamerica is right on the time line, I can add a little. The first location "Northern Prairie Music" was on GreenBay Rd in Wilmette Il. The building is still there but that exact address is gone because 2 store fronts where turned into 1 bigger place which is now a Liquor store. In the old days, going South to North you had the little parking lot (maybe 6 cars) then Jack-B-Nimble (sp?) candle factory and store, then Northern Prairie. There are a couple more small store fronts heading North but I can't remember what they where.I can take a pic maybe next week, but it's hard to visualize how it was back then....Mark.
GusS Posted January 10, 2009 Posted January 10, 2009 Does anyone have the address of the Hamer Alington Heights factory? I'm thinking of driving by, seeing what's there now and snapping a photo or two (which I'll post here).you're so old fashionedhttp://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&...671516289992105
Hamerica Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 OK Badger,How was the trip and where are the pics? Did you go to any of the guitar shops while driving in Chi town?Hamerica
tombo Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&...671516289992105That's the place! I was there twice: '85 & '93
BadgerDave Posted February 4, 2009 Author Posted February 4, 2009 OK Badger,How was the trip and where are the pics? Did you go to any of the guitar shops while driving in Chi town?HamericaI thought a drive-by photo was redundant, given Gus' post and the realization that anyone could just go to google maps!I'haven't been recently, but I visit Make n' Music and Chicago Guitar exchange occasionally. I just spotted a new place in Algonquin called "Fat City Guitars" that I've been meaning to check out.If you find yourself near O'Hare send me a PM and we'll do the circuit.
Hamerica Posted February 4, 2009 Posted February 4, 2009 Hey Badger!LOL. Yeah, I am an old guy. I don't know how to do that google stuff.Next time I'm in Chicago, that's a deal. Hamerica
mkadowaki Posted February 5, 2009 Posted February 5, 2009 I believe Terry, who now owns Guitar Works in Evanston, (GREAT store) worked for Northern Prairie Music, might ask him for any reminenenc.. remene... reminin... memories.
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