Our Blog:
Happening in Lakeview
and Roscoe Village
Update on the Lincoln Avenue Water Main Project
In early April, the Dept. of Water Management (DWM) crews will begin the work to install 1,987 feet of new 8-inch water main on Lincoln from Belmont to Wellington, and on Barry from the alley just east of Greenview to the alley just west of Greenview. This is the Lincoln/Barry Water Main Project #1701048.
Chicago Family Bike Fest is Sat, July 31!
Chicago Family Bike Fest is on Saturday, July 31 from 10am - 2pm at 3120 N. Greenview Ave (Parking lot between Belmont/Lincoln). Enjoy this community event celebrating biking with a blend of education, physical activity and fun! Adults will have access to resources that help them safely bike with young independent riders or with children as cargo. Kids will enjoy engaging activities, such as riding through a bike safety course, bike camping fun, strider rental and more. This program is funded by SSA 27.
Weekly Summer Events in Lakeview & Roscoe Village!
Summer is in full swing and there is no shortage of fun weekly events happening in Lakeview and Roscoe Village! From outdoor summer workouts and farmers markets to a weekly concert series on front porches, check out how you can spend a week creating unique memories with neighbors and friends in our neighborhoods!
Thank you to our event sponsors, Capital One Café, Leigh Marcus, Rush University and AARP Illinois!
Announcing the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program
BMO is excited to present the BMO Celebrating Women Grant Program, in collaboration with Deloitte. Eight women-owned businesses will each receive a $10,000 grant to help grow their businesses while focusing on sustainability.
Take a Self-Guided Tour With Sonic Walkabout!
Sonic Walkabout: Lakeview is a unique audio walking tour combining narrative discoveries with original music inspired by cultural and historic spaces in Chicago’s Lakeview neighborhood. At each site you’ll hear about its history, often firsthand, and then how the site inspired the composer plus a short piece of music. This program is funded by SSA 27.
Project Windows Brings Temporary Art Exhibits to SSA Storefronts
The Lakeview Public Art Committee and Special Services Area 27 have teamed up with Oak Street Design to bring storefront art exhibits to Lakeview this summer. This initiative is part of Project Windows, an annual initiative hosted by the Art Institute of Chicago in which businesses decorate their storefront around a theme, and then onlookers vote on their favorite storefront art. The 2021 project theme is the Obama Portraits and Bisa Butler Quilts, and you can find these exhibits along Southport and Lincoln Avenues. This initiative will be a fantastic public art exhibit, and will also increase foot traffic to the area!
Summer Sidewalk Sale On July 17 & 18
Stroll along Roscoe St and Southport Ave to shop summer styles on the sidewalk and enjoy amazing discounts at over 20 shops on Saturday, July 17 & Sunday, July 18 during regular store hours!
Renewal Notice for Licenses Extended During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Please see below for an industry notice regarding the upcoming renewal requirement for licenses that were extended during the COVID-19 pandemic. As stated in the notice, all licenses issued by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) under Title 4 or Title 9 of the Municipal Code of Chicago that were extended temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic will no longer be considered active after July 15, 2021. Impacted licenses with an expiration date between March 15, 2020, and June 15, 2021, that were extended during the pandemic must be renewed by July 15, 2021, to continue legal operations in Chicago.
Upcoming Community Events Grant Programs in Lakeview
We have so many exciting events coming up as part of the Lakeview SSA 27 Community Events & Placemaking Grant Program including CircEsteem Around Chicago, Dog Days of Summer, Carpe Librum Pop-Up Used Book Sale and Step Sessions Concert Series along the Lakeview Low-Line. Make plans to join us at these unique events funded by SSA 27!
Backing the BAR Grant Applications Due 7/30
The NAACP x BACARDI are working together to provide dedicated support to Black-owned businesses in the beverage alcohol service, sales, and hospitality industries. Backing the B.A.R. is an NAACP initiative that is awarding over $350,000 in acceleration grants, education, support, and entrepreneurship solutions for Black-owned bars, restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, liquor stores, and small businesses in the process of applying for a liquor license.
BACP Small Business Center Reopens for Limited In-Person Visits
BACP is pleased to announce that their Small Business Center, located at 121 N. LaSalle St. Room 800, will reopen to the public for limited in-person consultations beginning Tuesday, July 6, 2021. In alignment with citywide policies, all members of the public will be required to wear a mask and maintain six feet of social distancing while at the Small Business Center. There are no exceptions – if you do not wear a mask you will be asked to leave their facilities.
United We Read: Lakeview Roscoe Village DEI Book Club
We're excited for the United We Read: Lakeview Roscoe Village DEI Book Club! Read I'm Not Dying with You Tonight by Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal this June and July, then join us in August for discussion events. Enjoy 20% off your purchase of this book from RoscoeBooks or online with code LRVCC! We have selected a Young Adult novel that we hope will spark conversations about prejudice and the racial tension that exists in America, in Chicago, and in our own neighborhoods.
Chicago Increases Minimum Wage Effective July 1, 2021
Please be advised that effective today, July 1, 2021, the Chicago Minimum Wage has increased for all covered employees. The Minimum Wage has increased to either $14.00 or $15.00 per hour, depending on the number of workers at a business. For qualifying employers with 21 or more workers, the new Minimum Wage is now $15.00 per hour. For employers with four to 20 workers, the new Minimum Wage is $14.00.
Shop the Lakeview Roscoe Village Online Marketplace!
The Lakeview and Roscoe Village Online Marketplace is here! Browse over 100 products from local businesses all in one convenient online location. This site will be available year round and updated with new products each month. Thank you to our sponsors Leigh Marcus, BrightSmiles Pediatric Dentistry and Lakeview SSA 27!
Watch on-demand Recordings from our 2021 Marketing Mania Webinar Series
The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce our 2021 Marketing Mania Series. Marketing Mania is our 4-part educational workshop series designed with the small business owner in mind. This weekly series will provide you with the tools you need to create a marketing strategy for your business. Covering topics from social media strategies to Google analytics, this series will address both the strategic and tactical aspects of marketing your business.
Chi Biz Strong Ordinance Passes City Council
For over a year, the City of Chicago has worked tirelessly to ensure that our small business community survives the unprecedented COVID-19 crisis. Under Mayor Lightfoot’s leadership, the City has delivered a series of emergency measures to provide critical financial relief, remove unnecessary burdens and keep workers safe through a once-in-a-century crisis.
Expiration of Statewide Health Order and New Package Goods Operating Hours
The statewide COVID-19 emergency health order expired Saturday, June 26th. For Chicago businesses, this means that all COVID-19 regulations are lifted effective June 26th. While most regulations were lifted when the City entered Phase 5 on June 11th, this means that the establishments with a Late Hour Liquor License will no longer need to have fully vaccinated customers only during late-night operations.
Southport Art Festival Is On July 10 & 11!
Chicago’s iconic Southport Corridor blooms to life when Southport Art Fest brings an assorted mix of fine art to Southport Ave from Waveland to Byron this Saturday and Sunday. Southport Art Fest will put numerous art forms including oil, acrylic, watercolor, jewelry, sculpture, photography, wood, fiber, glass, paper, metal, and mixed media at center stage all weekend long. Families will have the opportunity to bring their children, and enjoy all that Southport Art Fest has to offer with a special kid’s area featuring interactive games and activities. Southport Art Fest benefits the Southport Neighbors Association.
Celebrate 4th of July in Lakeview & Roscoe Village!
Celebrate July 4th with Lakeview and Roscoe Village businesses! Shop at local stores to find the perfect 4th of July outfit, pick up some themed candy from Candyality and get your drinks from local liquor stores. We also recommend pet parents visit neighborhood pet shops to find products that will help calm an anxious pet during fireworks. Read our article to learn about special offerings from local businesses and find more ways to support local this 4th of July!
Lakeview & Roscoe Village Businesses in the News!
We love seeing Lakeview and Roscoe Village businesses in the news! From Wall Street Journal and Eater Chicago to Block Club Chicago and Univision, our local businesses and community programs were featured in a variety of publications these past few weeks. Check out some recent news features.
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