NEWS
- A new tenant for Fulton Market: a gym, made out of shipping containers [Chicago Tribune]
- West Loop parking garage pitched by plumbers union lands key city approval [Block Club Chicago]
- TTX lists West Loop HQ, joining downtown parade of subleasers [connect chicago]
- CBRE to bring 103000-SF headquarters sublease opportunity to market in West Loop [RE Journals]
- Slowear announces opening of first Midwestern store [Patch]
- 15 highly anticipated restaurant openings in 2021 [Food & Wine]
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The Kinzie Industrial Corridor’s Small Business Improvement Fund application opens on Jan. 4- Feb. 8, 2020. There will be an informational webinar on Thursday, Jan. 7 at 1 p.m. You can register here.
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.
Starting Jan. 1, 2021, SBIF staff will begin to roll out a series of enhancements to the program. Program participants will receive grants to cover between 30 percent and 90 percent of the cost of remodeling work, with a maximum grant of $150,000 for commercial properties and $250,000 for industrial properties. The grant, which is administered by SomerCor on the City's behalf, does not have to be repaid.
Contact Rod Burch at rod@wcachicago.org to see if you qualify.
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Next month, the Department of Planning and Development and 27th Ward Ald. Walter Burnett will co-host a community webinar on DPD's efforts to update the Fulton Market Innovation District Plan or FMID Plan. The webinar will be on Thursday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. Registration is now open.
The FMID Plan was adopted by the Chicago Plan Commission in 2014 to guide land uses and the implementation of public and private projects within the Fulton Market area.
In the years since, there have been several significant planning initiatives and land use changes that have impacted this area.
DPD Central Region planners have drafted a plan update to summarize those initiatives and trends, and to provide updated goals and strategies to guide future growth.
While registering, questions submitted during the registration process will be answered during the webinar. After public feedback has been gathered, DPD will prepare for a presentation at a future Chicago Plan Commission hearing.
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Congress is in session for only a few days more, and if they do not get their job done – restaurants will be in the cold until this February at the earliest.

Earlier this week, the National Restaurant Association sent a letter to Congress with their latest survey on the economic health of the industry, and the findings are bleak.
Last week, a group of moderate Democrats and Republicans unveiled a compromise plan. They are calling for a $909 billion relief bill, including a second round of Paycheck Protection Program grants, which with improvements could provide immediate assistance to restaurants.
Congress has heard from you before, but they need to hear from you in these final days of 2020 as we push for the future of the restaurant industry.
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WCA partners with Stella Artois and Illinois Restaurant Association on Dine Together, Apart Initiative |
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As the temperatures continue to drop, we are happy to announce an innovative, outdoor dining solution: Dining Together, Apart. This was made possible by WCA’s partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association and Stella Artois.
Dining Together, Apart invites Chicagoans to dine al fresco comfortably and safely well into colder months with 6 domes and 15 greenhouse-like pods. Beginning on Oct. 16, both the Dine Out on Fulton Market will feature these structures. Come experience them on Fulton Market between Green and Peoria at these fine restaurant's:
In Fulton Market, the pods will surround a temporary chalk street mural designed by famed artist Shepard Fairey’s Studio One to bring an artful approach to social distancing and collective-yet-safe dining. Originally commissioned by Stella Artois to encourage social distancing in East London, the 3,840 sq ft mural will be reimagined in Chicago-based artists.
Following the launch weekend, Oct. 16-18, Stella Artois will continue to allocate Chicago restaurants the dining pods to safely serve diners through the cold weather months.
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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, Jan. 8 at 9:30 a.m.
Webinar: Choosing the Right Legal Entity: A Small Business Entity Webinar
Presented by BACP and Chicago Lawyer’s Committee for Civil Rights
As an entrepreneur starting a new business, you are faced with important decisions. First and foremost, selecting the right legal structure for your business. The legal entity you choose may impact critical aspects of your business, such as your ability to raise capital, how your company is managed, its tax treatment, liability protection for managers and more. CLC will discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various legal entities including Corporations (C-Corp and S-Corp), Limited Liability Companies, Limited Partnerships and Partnerships.
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Support our open local businesses! Check out our website for information on businesses open for delivery, pick up, live-streaming and more. |
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PROPERTY SPOTLIGHT: 29 N. Ada St. |
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Rarely available 5 bedroom/3.5 4,100 sq. ft. single family home on one of the West Loop's nicest streets.
Timeless classical limestone facade with dual entry doors walks into gracious foyer and voluminous main level with tall ceilings, large bay with tall windows, custom draperies, coffered ceilings, crown moldings, wainscoting, hardwood floors, fireplace, formal dining room, recessed lighting and multiple chandeliers.
Recently fully renovated chef's kitchen with white cabinets, La Cornue 48" stove, large hood, Liebherr refrigerator with panel, quartz countertops/backsplash, custom bench with storage, and large island with quartzite countertops and seating for 5. Relax, lounge, or grill on adjacent deck off kitchen which has retractable awning. 2nd floor features 3 bedrooms including jumbo room currently used as family room, full bathroom, and laundry room. Full top floor master suite appointed with a plethora of natural light, skylights, massive walk in closet, terrace, and master bathroom with dual vanity, bay windows, and separate shower and tub. Full finished basement with additional front access, large family room(or office), full bathroom, storage, and 5th bedroom currently used as a wine cellar and recreation room. Other features include attached 2 car garage with pad for 3rd space, new hot water heater, dual zoned heating/cooling, and so much more.
Located on beautiful tree lined street and steps to Madison Row, Skinner Park, Skinner Elementary, shops, cafes, Mariano's, Whole Foods, the Fulton Market district, expressways, the loop, and the best restaurants in the city.
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Jefferson Tap & Grille is Donating Meals to Essential Workers!
As we enter winter, and continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, remember there are still thousands of healthcare workers, first responders, essential employees working around the clock. We will deliver hot meals across the city as often as possible. We will also continuer to deliver to homeless shelters, vet clinics, anyone who needs it! But alas, every once in a while, we need a little support from the community. Remember no amount is too small. Every dollar goes directly to the preparation, production and delivery of the meals. As always, thank you for your support
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Slowear, the leading Italian menswear multi-brand retail concepts, with over 30 stores in the world’s main shopping capitals, including Milan, London, Paris, New York City, Tokyo and Seoul, recently announced the opening of their first Chicago store located at 918 West Randolph Street in Chicago’s West Loop neighborhood. The new 1,150 sq ft. Chicago store will invite the Midwest to experience Slowear’s “durable fashion for timeless elegance” concept for the first time.
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Spotlight: Aodake Ramen
Greektown is thrilled to welcome a new restaurant, Aodake Ramen, to the neighborhood! The restaurant opened on Nov. 20, just in time for soup season! Aodake serves delightful ramen in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere and its chefs’ combination of fresh and quality ingredients is sure to please every taste.
Aodake offers a variety of ramen dishes, such as spicy veggie with tofu and garlic miso, Chicken paitan ramen, spicy tantan ramen and many more. For those who can’t decide which ramen to order, you can’t go wrong with the tonkotsu ramen, one of the restaurant’s specialty dishes. The creamy pork broth with soy sauce is topped with pork chashu, sesame kikurage mushroom, seasoned egg, scallion, nori dried seaweed and white noodles. Customers also choose the level of spiciness for their ramen – level one is the least spicy, made with chili powder and chili oil, level two incorporates chili paste and chili oil, and level three is the spiciest option with chili paste, chili oil and Thai chili.
Aodake offers a number of mouth-watering appetizers, such as the must-try spicy brussel sprouts, which are fried and served with sweet chili sauce and topped with dry shredded chili peppers. Other popular starters include fried chicken or pork buns, tempura oysters and shrimp shumai. You can find Aodake’s full menu online here, along with its gluten-free menu here.
Aodake is available for carry-out, curbside pickup, or delivery through Grubhub and Seamless or you can order online through Aodake’s website. As an added bonus, the restaurant is offering all customers 20 percent off their first order, and college students in the surrounding area will receive a 10 percent student discount every time they order from Aodake – only one promotion can be applied per order. While Aodake only offers take-out and delivery right now, the restaurant will open for in-person dining once Chicago’s indoor dining restrictions are lifted.
Aodake Ramen is open from 4:30 p.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday, 12 p.m.-9:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and 12 p.m.-9 p.m. on Sundays. The restaurant is located at 810 W. Jackson Blvd.
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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 |
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