OFFICE OF THE MAYOR
CITY OF CHICAGO
RICHARD M. DALEY
November 3, 2010
TO THE HONORABLE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CHICAGO
Ladies and Gentlemen:
I transmit herewith a congratulatory resolution concerning Erickson's Delicatessen on the occasion of their 85,h anniversary.
Your favorable consideration of this resolution will be appreciated.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Members of this Chamber are pleased to recognize Erickson's Delicatessen on its 85th anniversary in business as well as its proprietor, Ann-Mari Nilsson who turned 89 this year; and
WHEREAS, Located at 5250 North Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood, Erickson's Delicatessen has been serving Scandinavian cuisine since it opened its doors on May 15, 1925; and
WHEREAS, The proprietor of Erickson's, Ann-Mari Nilsson, turned 89 on October 24 of this year; and
WHEREAS, When Erickson's Delicatessen opened in 1925, the Andersonville neighborhood was mostly comprised of Swedish-Americans who welcomed an establishment which catered to their homeland tastes; and
WHEREAS, Ann-Mari Nilsson immigrated to the United States with her husband and children from Stockholm, Sweden on May 7, 1958. Her husband later became a master tailor at Marshall Field's; and
WHEREAS, In 1966, Ann-Mari Nilsson began working at Erickson's Delicatessen. Through her hard work and long hours she was able to save enough money to buy the delicatessen in 1978. It has been a family business ever since; and
WHEREAS, Ann-Mari Nilsson and her daughter Ann-Britt Nilsson have worked tirelessly to provide the people of Chicago with a Swedish deli that captures Scandinavian cuisine perfectly. Although Ann-Mari Nilsson has retired, it was not unusual to find her at the deli working 14 hours a day, and during the Christmas season working 17 hours a day. Her motto is "a job worth doing is a job worth doing well"; and
WHEREAS, Ann-Mari Nilsson, a woman strong in tradition, has been involved with the Swedish-American Museum; the Swedish Institute and Norwegian Club; The Sons of Norway; the Good Templar Association; the Swedish Cultural Society as well as a member of several chambers of commerce. Mrs. Nilsson has also worked on behalf of the homeless, the mentally ill, Native-American rights, Special Olympics and the Human Rights Campaign; and
WHEREAS, One of Chicago's many strengths as a city is its variety of cultures. Erickson's Delicatessen is one example of the richness of Chicago's multi-cultural heritage which makes living in Chicago so enjoyable; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, That we, the Mayor and Members of the City Council of the City of Chicago, assembled this third day of November, 2010, do hereby congratulate Ann-Mari Nilsson, proprietor of Erickson's Delicatessen, on its 85th anniversary in Chicago; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Ann-Mari Nilsson, the owner of Erickson's Delicatessen, as a sign of our congratulations and good wishes.