JOY IN WRIGLEY FIELD

THE CURSE OF THE BILLY GOAT IS NO MORE—BUT FOR THE CHICAGO CUBS’ RAPIDLY CHANGING HOME ’HOOD, IS THAT SUCH A GOOD THING?

Even months later, it’s still hard to fathom that the Cubs—“lovable losers” for so many years—are baseball’s reigning World Champions. That is, until you take a gander at the mammoth construction site that is the intersection of Clark and Addison, where the team’s recent success and international following has spurred a flurry of development around Wrigley Field, from a boutique hotel and movie theater to apartments, restaurants, and, of course, parking. Much-needed changes or the Disney-fication of a beloved neighborhood? Only time will tell. Here’s how things stand today. Where the action is: Clark between Grace and Roscoe. The crowd: Big 10 grads in party mode; wide-eyed, selfie-taking sports fans; yuppies pushing strollers to Julius Meinl (3601 N. Southport Ave.; meinlus .com/southport-ave) for Viennese coffee. Handbag of choice: Dooney & Burke’s leather Dover ($448), in camel with subtle Cubs logo pattern for the stylishly understated fan. Green means: The beer on St. Patty’s Day flowing through the bars lining the street. Must-stroll street: Alta Vista Terrace, a historic block of 19th-century London-inspired row houses just three blocks north of the stadium. Craving: Empanadas at Tango Sur (3763 N. Southport Ave., tangosurgrill .com); spicy fried chicken sandwiches at Roost (1467 W. Irving Park Rd.; theroostcarolinakitchen.com)

Baby name: Take your pick: Bryant, Rizzo, Russell, Lester, Ross, Heyward...