WHAT WE'RE READING
NEWS
  • McDonald's Fulton Market HQ to sell—downtown's biggest deal in 2 years [Crain's]
  • $40M building could break Fulton Market records [The Real Deal]
  • Tour Nobu Chicago, finally open on Randolph Restaurant Row [Eater Chicago]
  • Chicago Children's Theatre extends The Beatrix Potter drive-in theatre experience [Broadway World]
  • Maude’s Liquor Bar Closes Permanently After 9 Years In West Loop [Block Club]
  • Why One Michelin-Starred Restaurant in Chicago Will Hibernate for the Winter [Robb Report]
  • Bank leaving Fulton Market for Logan Square [Crain's]
Small Business Improvement Fund
Central West 

Applications will be accepted for the Central West TIF district from 9 a.m., Thursday, Oct. 1 to 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 30

The Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) program uses Tax Increment Financing (TIF) revenues to help owners of commercial and industrial properties within specific TIF districts to repair or remodel their facilities for their own business or on behalf of tenants.

Program participants can receive grants to cover between 25 percent and 75 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $100,000 for commercial properties and $150,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Applications Open!

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund is now accepting applications for it's newest round of grant funds! All applications must be submitted no later than Friday, Nov. 6.
Small Business Owners: Make your voice heard!

The WCA is partnering with the Federal Reserve is conducting a national survey of small businesses. This survey amplifies the voices of small businesses and provides timely economic data to policymakers who are weighing decisions that affect small businesses. The survey is open to businesses currently in operation, those recently closed and those about to launch. All responses are confidential and survey results will be shared with participants. Make your voice heard and take the 10- minute survey today! The survey closes Oct. 31, 2020.
Check out the West Central Association website for the most up-to-date Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection's business education webinars!

Upcoming Webinars:

Friday, Oct. 9 at 9:30 a.m.
Webinar: Nuts and bolts of Business Planning and Financial Readiness For Start-ups

Learn nuts and bolts for starting a sustainable small business that is prepared to weather economic changes through business planning from a financial readiness lens.
Support our open local businesses! Check out our website for information on businesses open for delivery, pick up, live-streaming and more.
PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: 842-844 W. Randolph St.
This property is around 6000 sq. ft. (3000 sq. ft. 1st floor; 3000 sq. ft. 2nd floor) with an additional 3000 sq. ft. basement. It is a net to net lease.

This building is in the heart of the restaurant row next to Nobu hotel and other restaurants such as Bar Siena and Bandit.

Information on tenants will be required such as names, current business entities, previous business history/experience/success and what the business entity will be.

Rough Calculations on the rent may be between $22,000 and $30,000 per month, which will depend on the square footage, the negotiations, the tenant, the possible buildout and the lease terms.

For more information contact:
(773)710-6009
LOCAL JOB LISTINGS
Smitten Boutique is seeking a positive, hardworking, customer-facing Part-Time Sales Associate for their Chicago West Loop store. As a Sales Associate you will be providing a specialty retail customer service experience. This role will report directly to the brand manager of Smitten Boutique.
MEMBER UPDATES
Epiphany Center for The Arts proudly announces production of the Music Series in The Sanctuary, an historic cabaret-style space with old-world charm, featuring nightly live performances and livestreams by leading local and national artists in EPIPHANY’s state-of-the-art performance venue. Every night in The Sanctuary is dedicated to a different musical theme that highlights one of Chicago’s well-known music genres:  
 
Tuesdays: Tumbao Tuesdays 
Latin Jazz, Salsa, Samba, and other Chicago Latin groups 
 
Wednesdays: The Voices of Chicago 
An intimate night with Chicago vocalists 
 
Thursdays: Chicago Jazz – A Tribute to Inspiration 
Chicago’s premiere Jazz artists performing music to honor legendary Jazz musicians 
 
Fridays: Chicago Blues – A Tribute to The Legends 
A unique showcase with today’s world-famous Chicago Blues musicians paying homage to Blues Legends 
 
Saturdays: Spotlight in The Sanctuary 
An eclectic blend of notable musicians, magicians, and comedians 
 
Sundays: Old School Sunday 
Artists pay tribute to legendary performers of past eras 
"The City Is Speaking. And We Hear You." In early 2020, Nature's Care signed two historic cannabis equity and social justice partnerships. 

The goals? 

1. Advocate for and support disproportionately impacted individuals 
2. Reinvest in our Illinois communities 
3. Enact positive change 

Nature's Care recently launched a social equity campaign that celebrates and showcases the real solutions and pathways to success to help those disproportionately impacted by the War on Drugs. Go to www.naturescarecompany.com/social-equity to find out more and use #cannabisequityncc to spread the news! Our West Loop dispensary, which opened 9/28, is proof that we honor our promises.
The Dine-It-4ward Culinary Guide was created to aid our ailing hospitality industry while highlighting the community organizations that are the backbone of our city.

By being a member of WCA you are entitled to a discount! Enter the code WCA20  at check out and you can purchase a book (value $2200) for just $39 (It’s normally $50).  
Here's what to expect from the 2020-2021 Chicago Dine-It-4ward Culinary Guide:
  • Over 75 experiences, offering $2200+ in savings for use until August 15, 2021
  • Features both 2-for-1 dishes and other exciting offers (fresh pasta, cupcakes, donuts, coffee) for carryout & dine-in that will save you hundreds of dollars throughout the year.
  • A fun way to support beloved Chicago spots including Big Star, BLVD Steakhouse, Firecakes, Gino’s East, Molly’s Cupcakes, Girl & Goat-Ceries, HaiSous, Saigon Sisters, Starbucks Reserve Roastery and more.
It truly is worth the investment. You’ll make up the $39 in just 2-3 uses and most importantly you’ll be making a difference by supporting an industry that needs some extra love!
Restaurants need technology to survive! Science is the IT helpdesk for restaurants. They deal with everything from spotty wifi on the patio to managing online ordering menus, so restaurants can focus on their guests. They're offering a free consultation to any restaurant that needs a little boost. 
Green City Market in Mary Bartelme Park is open Saturday's through October. We are practicing safe shopper guidelines and require a face covering in the Market area, please shop a 6 feet distance from others and observe our Priority Hour from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m., General Shopping from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. 

Prefer home delivery? Shop Green City Market Delivered from the WhatsGood app for Wednesday delivery. Prefer nearby pick up? In the app select Green City Market @ Paramount Group Pickup, located at 1750 W Lake Street available Wednesday's between 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.   
EXPLORE GREEKTOWN
Learn about exciting events and happenings in Greektown Chicago. Sign-up to our monthly newsletter.
Greektown’s Fanciful Fish Coloring Sheet Sweepstakes
Get your creative juices flowing and learn more about Greek culture with Greektown’s Fun & Fanciful Fish!
 
Whether you’re looking for a fun family outing or a way to keep your kids engaged, Greektown Chicago invites you to visit the 22 fish sculptures near your favorite Greektown restaurants and shops, and participate in the coloring sheet sweepstakes! In advance of visiting the fish sculptures, read more about each fish here, and reference the map here. Enjoy a fun activity at home and get creative by coloring your own fish with markers, colored pencils, water colors or crayons. Don’t forget to give them a name!
 
For every fish you color in, be sure to share it on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #GreektownChicagoFancifulFish to be entered into our sweepstakes for a chance to win some fun Greektown swag, which could include a lunchbox, beanie, umbrella and more.

Please note, the sweepstakes is open now through October 31, closing at 5 p.m. CST. Fish drawings completed by children need to be shared by a parent or guardian 18 years or older to be eligible for entry. Unlimited entries per person with each new drawing.

Download the coloring sheet here. 
Chamber of Commerce representing businesses in the West Loop, Greektown, Madison Row, Randolph Street, Jackson Blvd., Fulton River District, Fulton Market, United Center Park, Little Italy, Tri-Taylor, University Village and Commons, UIC