WHAT WE'RE READING
NEWS
  • Igloos cover Chicago's Fulton Market as restaurants prepare for temperature drop [NBC Chicago]
  • Alinea to take over Ace Hotel Chicago's restaurant space in Fulton Market [Eater Chicago]
  • City planners ok West Loop office building [Chicago Sun Times]
  • West Loop food hall Politan Row 'hibernating' until spring [Eater Chicago]
  • JLL secures $100M+ in capital for Fulton Market development [RE Journals]
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.
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.

WCA partners with Stella Artois and Illinois Restaurant Association on Dine Together, Apart Initiative
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.

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. 23 at 9:30 a.m.
Webinar: Resources for the Small Business Owner

Presented by ChiBizHub

ChiBizHub presents the premier one stop shop for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The hub now has an enhanced feature that will allow you to find access to capital in minutes.
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
NEW MEMBER PROFILE: PB&J
Located in the heart of West Loop, PB&J is Chicago’s newest local hangout and event space specializing in namesake areas: Pizza, Beer, and Jukebox. Serving Neapolitan style pizzas, cold beer on tap, and craft cocktails, guests are welcome to enjoy the casual, lively environment and choose their soundtrack on the state-of-the-art TouchTunes Jukebox. Garage-style retractable walls make diners feel as if they are dining alfresco on one of Chicago’s liveliest streets.

“PB&J offers something for everyone! We welcome families to enjoy lunch and dinner on our patio, sports fans to watch the game at our bar and music lovers to put on their favorite tunes and kickback,” Matthew McCahill, owner.
Read below to learn more about PB&J!

Who are you?

Matthew McCahill, owner


How old is your business?

Almost 6 months old


How long have you been in the neighborhood?

About a half a year


Why the West Loop?

Opportunity knocked and I walked through the door.


What are your top challenges in growing your business?

People not respecting the rules provided by government and being forced to enforce them which goes completely against our hospitality nature of trying to please people.
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
Tuesday, November 3rd is set to be an epic evening.
Please exercise your right to vote.
Then stop at Carnivale to pick up Election Eats.
( Add a Drink Kit for additional effect. )
Head home to snack away and watch the results pour in.
We are with you.

Order our Election Eats To-Go.
Pick up curbside on
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
1:00PM-5:00PM.

Call 312.850.5005 to place your order today!
The most terrifying month of the most terrifying year is upon us — let us gather to engage in our favorite Halloween films while eating and drinking to our hearts content. Tables will be properly distanced in groups of 6 or fewer.
Morgan's on Fulton's Rooftop is covered and heated— but fresh air will be flowing— dress for the weather.

 Dinner or drinks are not included in ticket price. A special digital dinner menu will be available from Marvin's Food and Fuel - Come hungry, the food is fantastic. Two drink minimum, the drinks are also fantastic.
Please buy your tickets in the groups you'll be seated with. 

Tickets (if available) can be purchased at the door for $15/ea

Doors open at 6, Movie begins at 7
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 November 21. 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 Shopping Hour from 8 a.m. - 9 a.m. Through October General Shopping is from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Nov. 7, 14 and 21 hours change to 9 a.m. - 12 noon.

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 Chicago Art Program Updates

Greektown’s Fun & Fanciful Fish Coloring Sheet Sweepstakes Extended through October 

Have you met Greektown’s Fun & Fanciful fish sculptures along Halsted Street? Come visit all 22 fishies near your favorite restaurants and shops. Learn more about each fish in our previous blog post and reference the map in advance visiting. Looking to get creative this fall? We’re excited to share that the Greektown Fun & Fanciful FIsh Coloring Sheet Sweepstakes has been extended through October. Get creative and color your own fish with markers, colored pencils, water colors or crayons and don’t forget to give them a name! For every fish you color in, be sure to share 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 or more. Sweepstakes will close on Oct. 31, 2020.  

New Sculpture Arrives in Greektown: Invertadude
At the heart of #GreektownChicago sits a nearly 12 foot, 750lb concrete sculpture by artist Carrie Fischer. With the Willis Tower and West Loop skyscrapers in the background, this contemporary piece takes us back in time to when carving figures in stone was common. The sculpture strikes a casual unassuming pose on his head, as if the world doesn’t matter. The sculpture symbolizes how this year has challenged us to invert our thoughts to adapt to the changing times. See the sculpture for yourself at the corner of Halsted Street and Van Buren Street in Elysian Fields and watch the installation video linked here!

Photo Credit: Carrie Fischer 
 
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