Hello Uptown Business Center Clients and Partners,

Don't miss the window to maximize your sidewalk café permits by applying before March 1st. More information on the permit process is below. For UBC clients looking to expand their networks, I hope to see you at our February 28th Black Owned Business networking event where you can register at the member level using promo code CBC2024.

As always, please don't hesitate to schedule an Uptown Business Center consultation so we can discuss personalized support for your small business.

Best, 

Kylie Ruscheinski

Uptown Business Center Director

TIME TO APPLY FOR YOUR SIDEWALK CAFE

The City of Chicago sidewalk café season begins on March 1st and ends on the last day of February. Permits have a 12 month term and must be applied for each year. In order to maximize your sidewalk café permit, apply or renew now before March 1st!

How do I apply for a sidewalk café permit?

Apply for your permit online on the BACP permit portal. You will need to create an account in the system if you don't already have one. You must fully complete the sidewalk cafe application in order for BACP to approve your application. Once approved, you will be directed to pay for the permit in the portal. Click here for a visual step by step overview, and here for a recorded presentation by BACP. Apply now.

Required Documentation:

• Valid Retail Food Establishment or Tavern Business License
• General Liability Insurance & Policy Endorsement Page, and Dram Shop Insurance if Serving Liquor
• Photograph of Proposed Site
• Site Plan of Sidewalk Café
• If Extending, Proof of Notice to Neighboring Business

Permit Requirements: 

• Cafes must be located on the sidewalk only.
• Cafes may extend in front of a neighboring property that is not a retail food or retail liquor establishment. If extending, applicants must show proof that they have notified the neighboring owner and occupant of their plans. Insurance must cover the full extent of the cafe boundaries.
• Cafes must have a boundary that fully encloses the permitted area and separates the area from the remainder of the public way (other than the entrance). Entrances must be 3-5ft wide and shown on site plan.
• There must be a 6-foot clearance for pedestrians along the sidewalk, and the cafe must have at least 1 foot of clearance from the curb line.
• Once approved and paid, sidewalk cafe permits must be printed and posted along with the cafe site plan on the exterior wall or window of the main entrance to the business.

What is the cost for sidewalk cafés?

Sidewalk café prices remain the same, starting at $600 and increasing based on the total size of your café. You will be prompted for payment once the city approves your application.

Can I serve alcohol at my sidewalk café?

Businesses with a valid liquor license may serve alcohol at their sidewalk café. Note that proof of liquor liability insurance (also known as dram shop insurance) must be provided as part of your application. Taverns without a retail food license must have a food service partner as part of their application. Note that BYOB is NOT permitted in sidewalk cafes.

Keep in mind:

• Pergolas/coverings for the sidewalk café are not covered by your sidewalk café permit and must be applied for separately.
• Per café space area, 5% of seats must be marked ADA.
• Seating in the parking curb line or in a parking lot isn't considered sidewalk café seating and must be applied for and permitted by CDOT.
• Sidewalk cafes aren't permanent and must be easily removable.

Schedule a UBC Consultation for support with your sidewalk café application.

UPTOWN BUSINESS CENTER EVENTS

Support Office Hours: 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant

Thursday, February 15th | 2-5PM

Uptown Chamber of Commerce, 4619 N Broadway

Uptown Chamber of Commerce and Uptown Business Center Staff will be on hand to provide free support with grant applications for the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant. This is your last chance to apply. Check your supporting documentation and walk through the application process before the February 16th grant deadline! Walk ins welcome - pre-registration is not required. Please bring grant-required documents. For a full list of requirements, visit http://www.7sbrg.org/.



Money Smart with Wintrust Bank: Small Business Banking

Tuesday, February 20th | 3-4PM

The Lost Hours Coffee Shop, 5256 N Broadway

Join the Uptown Business Center and Wintrust Bank for the first Money Smart workshop of the year! This training will cover small business banking basics, including choosing your bank, banking services, improving your chances of getting a loan, and deposit insurance. This workshop will set you up with business banking fundamentals that will serve your small business in 2024 and beyond!



Register for this Free Event

Farmer's Market + Street Festival Vendor Training

Tuesday, February 27th | 3:30-4:30PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Prepare your small business for summer festival and market season! Learn the steps to become a vendor at Chicago farmer's markets and street festivals. This virtual presentation is provided by the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events in partnership with the Uptown Business Center and its fellow Chicago Business Center partners.

Register for this Free Event

CURRENT GRANT OPPORTUNITIES

Check out our last newsletter if you missed updates on the 7th District Small Business Restoration Grant, SBIF rolling deadlines, and the Galaxy Grant.

McKinsey Fast Grants Applications Open Until February 29, 2024

McKinsey and Allies for Community Business will provide $10,000 grants to four small businesses whose founders show significant promise for impact. Grantees will also have access to support from McKinsey to help refine and scale their organizations over a six-month period. Apply Now.

Eligibility: 

• Founder must belong to an underrepresented group, including first generation business owners and/or
• Founder must be from an economically disadvantaged community.

Applications must include written or recorded answers to several prompts about your organization. Grants must be applied for by 11:59pm CT on February 29. Apply Here.

Wish Local Empowerment Program Rolling Application Window

Black-owned businesses can apply for $500-$2,000 grants to support their existing brick-and-mortar businesses. Apply Now.

Eligibility:

• Black-owned business
• 18+ years of age
• 20 or fewer employees
• Brick-and-mortar shop within the United States
• Store earns an average annual revenue under $1M

This is a rolling application. Learn more an apply at wish.com/local/empowerment. Apply Here. 

OTHER SMALL BUSINESS EVENTS

Illinois Secure Choice Retirement Program Overview

Tuesday, February 13th | 12:00-1:00PM | Virtual Via Zoom

Illinois Secure Choice is a state-facilitated retirement program that makes it easy to save for retirement. Not only is Illinois Secure Choice open to employees who work for an eligible employer, the program is available to anyone who wants to enroll on their own and start saving. Register to learn more!

Register for this Free Event

Navigating Alternative Financing for Startup Success

Monday, February 19th | 6:30 PM | Virtual

Explore a comprehensive overview of Alternative Financing designed to empower entrepreneurs who may not qualify for traditional bank loans. This workshop is provided by SCORE Fox Valley.

Register for this Free Event

Black Owned Business Networking

Wednesday, February 28th | 5:30-7:30PM | 4609 N Clark St

Uptown is home to hundreds of black business owners and black industry leaders from around the world. To celebrate these individuals and to recognize their journeys that led them to Uptown; Uptown Chamber of Commerce joins host Antonio Coke of Bodi Shak, and presenting sponsor Jerome' Holston of J.R. Holston Consulting in inviting you to a Black Owned Business Networking event scheduled for Wednesday, February 28th from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  

46th Ward Alderwoman Angela Clay and 7th District Illinois State Senator Mike Simmons, both strong advocates for our business community, are expected to attend to show their support.  Attendees should plan on expanding their professional networks, sharing resources, and growing client pools. The event will feature global cuisine from black owned businesses in Uptown. 

During registration, attendees will respond to questions that aim to make their networking experience more intentional: their industry, what they need to succeed and what they can offer to support others. Online registration will close 24 hours ahead of the event so Uptown Chamber can process responses and share expected attendance -- all to support strategic networking. 

Uptown networking events build community among Uptown businesses and non-profits, strengthening our local economy through the development of strategic partnerships. These events are open to member businesses and non-members alike. All respectful and well-intentioned business professionals with positivity to share in the Uptown community are welcome to attend Uptown Chamber of Commerce events.

$10 Chamber Members (& Uptown Business Center Clients!) UBC Clients can attend with the member rate using Promo Code CBC2024

$20 Non-members

$30 Door -- after 5:00 PM on Tuesday, February 27th all new registration will occur at the door.  

Register for this Event

NOTICE FROM IL SECRETARY OF STATE

A reminder that the Corporate Transparency Act means that businesses must now disclose the individuals who own or control the company to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, a bureau within the U.S. Treasury Department.

Learn more about this requirement and other relevant 2024 law changes in our December Newsletter.

UBC CLIENT SPOTLIGHT: CAMPO GOLF CLUB

Campo Golf Club recently opened at 5121 N Clark St. as a casual indoor golf club for golf enthusiasts! Both beginners and regular golfers can make reservations for indoor golf and bring their own clubs or rent from the club. Campo Golf Club's founder, Ryan Petit, wanted a casual neighborhood space where players can get some swings in anytime of the year. Their main golf simulator and training bay rental rooms are open and ready for rental now!

Check out their recent Block Club Chicago feature and book one of their rooms now on their website! Learn more at campogc.com.