Old Town Merchants and Residents Association
April 2020 Newsletter
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In This Issue
- Message from the OTMRA Executive Director
- March OTMRA Event Recaps
- OTMRA Resources for COVID-19
- Virtual Industry Meet-Ups
- Old Town Appreciation Month
- Stay Safe and Support Old Town
- Rachel Rubinson Joins the OTMRA Team
- BACP Resources for COVID-19
- Special Service Area 48 Information
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Message from
the Executive Director
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We know that these are unprecedented and trying times for Chicago. Nothing quite like this in our lifetime has had such a pervasive impact on our neighborhood or city. This virus has has deserted our streets and emptied our favorite small businesses. While this is a bleak sight to see, we know it is absolutely necessary in order to persevere. I have every confidence that we will get through this. No matter how long our path out of this stretches, Old Town is ready to move through this together by tapping into that collective spirit that has always made us a strong community. Even if you are sheltering-in-place at home, there are ways for you to support Old Town today.
We are running two different promotions to help you support your favorite businesses. Between now and April 30 we are offering Cash Back through our
Shop Local program
! Spend at least $30 at any Old Town business and we will give you $10 back in the form of a Visa Gift Card. Additionally, we are celebrating our Old Town businesses with our first-ever
Old Town Appreciation Week
. Follow us on
Facebook
and
Instagram
to participate for a chance to win gift cards to your favorite Old Town Businesses. For full details,
click here
.
Finally, over the past few weeks, the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association staff has compiled guides in order to help keep small businesses informed on resources that are available to help bridge financing through this difficult time. Take a look at our full guides on our website
here
.
Finally, the City of Chicago has started accepting applications for the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund today. This is a first-come-first-serve program, so please
apply TODAY
.
Sincerely,
Ian M. Tobin
Executive Director
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Even with the City of Chicago issuing a Shelter in Place order because of COVID-19, it was still a busy month for the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.
The First of March was the last day of the
Third Annual Old Town Theater Week. Look out for the 4th Annual Old Town Theater Week sometime in 2021 as we continue to build on the program that highlights the theater district in Old Town.
In response to COVID-19, the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association swept into action to create programs to encourage community stakeholders to engage with neighborhood businesses in a safe and healthy way. Beginning March 18th, the OTMRA began a
Shop Local Rebate Program where people who spent $30 in Old Town would receive a $10 gift card in return. In addition, all throughout April, the OTMRA will be giving away $25 gift cards for people who complete virtual challenges as part of
Old Town Appreciation Month. You can see more information about these two programs below.
During this time, the OTMRA also wants to be a resource for businesses and residents in the neighborhood. OTMRA staff created guides to connect people with resources available to the neighborhood. Click to access the
Small Business Guide
and the
Resident Guide.
Lastly on March 20th, the OTMRA held a conference call for businesses in the community to detail OTMRA programs and city updates. The OTMRA will continue to bring businesses and the community together.
See below for upcoming industry virtual meet-ups.
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Thank you to everyone who has supported Old Town businesses and non-profits during these challenging times. The Old Town Merchants and Residents Association will continue to be a resource for businesses and residents in the neighborhood throughout this whole crisis. Please click below for the resource guides, which we are updating with new information daily, for ways to make sure you, your family, and your business are prepared for the days ahead.
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See below for some of the programming that the OTMRA is doing to help community stakeholders stay engaged with Old Town.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to the OTMRA if you feel there is something we can help you with during this ordeal.
Best,
Ian M. Tobin
Executive Director
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OTMRA Virtual Industry Meet-Ups
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As a resource for businesses and residents in the Old Town neighborhood, the OTMRA will host several Virtual Industry Meet-Up sessions throughout April. These virtual meetups are a platform for in-depth conversations between businesses, and are open to all merchants in Old Town.
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Virtual Industry Meet-Up Schedule:
Retail: Monday April 6 at 10 AM
Dial-In:
+1 312 626 6799 (Chicago)
Restaurants: Tuesday April 7 at 10 AM
Dial-In:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Non-Profit: Wednesday April 15 at 10 AM
Dial-In:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
Health & Wellness: Friday April 17 at 10 AM
Dial-In:
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
To register, email swaldorf@oldtownchicago.org with the subject line "Virtual Industry Meetup."
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Old Town Appreciation Month
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The OTMRA is giving away gift cards to Old Town businesses every Monday - Saturday in April. Complete virtual challenges to be entered to win a $25 gift card to an Old Town business of your choice!
Challenges
Market Monday: Make any purchase from an Old Town retailer
Takeout Tuesday: Order takeout or delivery from an Old Town restaurant
Wellness Wednesday: Participate in virtual wellness activities
Thankful Thursday: Give thanks to a neighborhood non-profit, business, or person that makes the Old Town community special to you
Fun Friday: T
ake part in different activities designed to test your
Old Town knowledge and experiences
Scavenger Hunt Saturday: Solve clues in a virtual Scavenger Hunt
Completing a challenge enters you into a drawing to win a $25 gift card to an Old Town business of your choice! One entry per person per day.
for more information on entry rules and submission.
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Stay Safe and Support Old Town
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Shop local in Old Town in a healthy and safe way over the next few weeks. If you spend $30 at any Old Town business, you are eligible to receive a $10 gift card from the Old Town Merchants and Residents Association.
Limited gift cards available. Limited one gift card per week of the promotion.
with the subject line, “Shop Local Old Town.”
All copies of receipts should be submitted with contact information, including name, phone number, and email address. Receipts must be received by May 1st. Promotion runs from March 18-April 30.
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Rachel is thrilled to be the new addition to the OTMRA team. A Northwestern University graduate, Rachel joins the OTMRA from a public sector fellowship at Chicago Public Schools. As the new Marketing and Membership Coordinator, Rachel brings with her prior experience in project management, research, and social media promotion.
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Rachel can be reached via email (rrubinson@oldtownchicago.org) or via Google Voice while the OTMRA team works remotely: 708-
320-1098.
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As a direct response to COVID-19 and the strain it has placed on the city’s small businesses, The City of Chicago established a $100 million Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund which will help to provide small businesses with emergency cash flow during this immediate health crisis.
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This week, t
he Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection will host webinars to provide an overview of the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Fund, loan terms, requirements, and how to apply.
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SSA 48 Old Town has kicked off its spring time service with private security and litter abatement. The SSA has retained its existing firms: AGB Investigative Services and Clean Slate to provide service throughout the remainder of the year. Service has not been impacted by COVID-19 and will continue to operate as planned.
Private Security
Private Security has been adjusted to now offer Friday and Saturday service from 7pm to 1am. This updated service will better accommodate traffic flow on Wells Street for deliveries and curbside pick-ups from restaurants, and aid in enforcement of social distancing directives from the State of Illinois and the Office of the Mayor to combat COVID-19. The private security team will also operate additional daytime service totaling three days a week.
Litter Abatement
The litter abatement team will continue to operate in the District by cleaning up litter collected in the gutter, on sidewalks, and in planters on the public way. They will operate on Wednesday afternoons, Saturday mornings, and Sunday mornings.
Pressure Washing RFP Issued to Combat COVID-19
SSA 48 Old Town has issued an RFP for Pressure Washing services to sanitize the district's sidewalks during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to removing dirt and gum that has accumulated over the course of the last year, we are asking vendors to sanitize the sidewalks with cleaning solutions that will kill and remove COVID-19. To read the RFP, please
click here
. RFPs are due April 13, 2020 at 5pm.
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