Thrive Zones help small businesses and entrepreneurs apply for economic development incentives in targeted areas.  A three-year pilot program, the Zones are structured to strengthen the economic vitality of eight neighborhood commercial corridors, located on the City's South, Southwest, and West sides.  All have economic challenges, but strong potential for growth and the City is offering an evolving package of financial assistance.

The Mayor's office recently released a list of 51 awardees of Retail Thrive Zone business improvement grants - many in the Austin and West Humboldt communities.  The City's focus on targeted areas allows rolling out programs quicker, experimenting with new ideas, and expanding successful ones to other communities. 
Click for information and to see in you're located in a targeted Thrive Zone

View the list of 51 Awardees.

The Pop-Up & Sell Initiative, introduced by Mayor Emanuel and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP), passed City Council in November.  The program makes it easier to do business in Chicago, by reducing the administrative burden on small business owners and entrepreneurs to allow them to test out new business ideas and locations.

Landlords with space to lease for pop-up restaurants or cafes can obtain an inexpensive, low-burden pop-up host license, and aren't required to get a license to host general retail pop-ups, which includes pre-packaged food.
The ordinance also benefits existing restaurants which will now be allowed to operate as a pop-up at a licensed location other than their existing establishment, without obtaining an additional license or paying an extra fee. 
Learn more about Pop-Up & Sell, click here.

Click on addresses for details 4850 W. Bloomingdale Avenue, 60639 ( seen above) 5,000 - 160,000 SF - Sale or Lease 2201 S. Halsted Street, 60608 - 250 - 7,500 SF Units - Sale or Lease 3850 W. Cortland Street, 60647 - 144,633 SF - Lease 1120-1150 E. 89th Street, 60619 - 10,000 - 75,000 SF - Lease 4165 S. Emerald Avenue, 60609 - 3,000 - 12,500 SF - Lease Hard-to-Find, Inexpensive Space in City - 4,000 - 45,000 SF

 

LOOKING TO PURCHASE - VALUE ADD PROPERTIES

MICHAEL GOLDSTEIN - 773-504-1200 - click to download flyer

DEBORAH SMITH, Broker 

A full service real estate brokerage specializing in the sale of all types of commercial & investment properties, leasing development, financial consulting & tenant representation.

Click to view Deborah's listings

The SBIF program remains a vital part of the City of Chicago's commitment to support small businesses - from neighborhood business strips to the city's industrial corridors.  In an ongoing basis, you can find which SBIF Districts are open for new applications this month and those that are on deck fo the next on Somercor's SBIFsite (link below), as well as presentations you can attend to learn in-depth how the program can benefit your business.  Click here f or info', maps and gallery of SBIF makeovers.