Eddie Balchowsky

Eddie Balchowsky was a “colorful and accomplished” man—an artist, poet and one-armed pianist who was widely loved by those in Chicago’s bohemian scene.

At the turn of the 20th century, Balchowsky’s department store was the main trading center of Eastern Will County, and one of the largest stores for miles around. Residents of Frankfort and surrounding areas could buy whatever they needed from the store, which carried thousands of items, and they rarely needed to travel to Joliet or Chicago for specialty goods.