Local business expansion occurring all around Oak Park
Oak Park is witnessing numerous expansions of well-established local businesses, and a couple of those expansions may have caught your eye. The Intercultural Montessori Language School, 301 S. Ridgeland Ave., is busy building an addition to its Oak Park campus that will increase its building size 21%. The expansion will help this long-valued business increase its ability to serve local families. Additionally, the Murphy Dental Group has purchased a building at the southeast corner of Kenilworth Avenue and South Boulevard and is adding a 2,600 square feet addition to a former dry-cleaning store. This enlarged location will serve as the new home of the well-established dental practice. Further, Coco Nail Salon, 323 and 327 South Blvd., has almost doubled its previous space with a new business expansion. Stop by today and check out all of the services available from this growing Oak Park business. These important business expansions are great examples of continued economic vitality in Oak Park.
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Murphy Dental Group's future home
Congratulations to new owners of Na Siam Thai Restaurant
Na Siam Thai Restaurant, 6851 North Ave., is under new ownership. Pictured are OPRF Chamber representatives, Judith Alexander, Chair of The North Avenue District, Cameron Davis, Oak Park Economic Vitality Administrator, and new owner Nutchapabha Thoranin at a recent ribbon cutting. New Na Siam ownership brings a fresh, elevated approach to making its Thai cuisine tastier than ever. A full list of Na Siam’s iconic Thai dishes can be found at www.na-siam-oakpark.com. Welcome to the Oak Park business community!
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Work underway on important Oak Park parcel
The former IHOP building and parking lot parcels at 6501 and 6503 North Ave. are being cleared for future redevelopment. The owner has hired a contractor to remove utility connections, the parking lot, the old pole sign and the building. The contractor will then infill the lot and seed it for future re-development. The property's owners have communicated that no specific development proposal is being put forth to the Village at this time. The entire parcel is 13,300 square feet.
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New Business Walk-Through Program an important economic vitality tool
The Village’s successful and unique New Business Walk-Through Program assists businesses looking to occupy vacant commercial spaces in the community. When a potential new business owner contacts staff, the Village’s economic vitality team can organize a walk-through of the commercial space with various building, zoning, health and business licensing officials. During these meetings, staff are on hand to answer questions and advise on concerns and code requirements. Since the program’s start in 2022, the Village has done nearly 50 walk-throughs. Interested in scheduling one? Reach out to Cameron Davis, Economic Vitality Administrator, at 708.358.5421 or cdavis@oak-park.us.
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Oak Park Film Festival set for Sept. 12 and 14
The Oak Park Film Festival begins on Thursday, Sept. 12 with a celebration of Oak Park’s connection to Hollywood at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St. The evening will feature a red carpet and gala event with a showing of James Cameron’s 1989 film “The Abyss,” co-starring Oak Park and River Forest High School alumna Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 14, the festival will showcase local talent with a full slate of special screenings and a panel discussion at the Madison Street Theater, 1010 Madison St. The screenings will include shorts, animations, documentaries, student films and more. Enjoy all that Oak Park has to offer and mark your calendar to attend!
Issuance of new business licenses remains strong
Oak Park recently welcomed new businesses as economic vitality remains strong in the community. Schoolhouse Kitchen and Studio, 1011 Madison St., West Suburban 12 & 12 Center, 225B South Blvd., and The Salon @ 411, 411 Harrison St., all recently obtained new business licenses. These three businesses are among 65 other new businesses that have obtained licenses in Oak Park this year. Since January 2021, the Village has issued 401 new business licenses as economic vitality and entrepreneurship remain strong in Oak Park. See the chart below for a year-over-year comparison. For a full list of new Oak Park businesses, please visit the Pick Oak Park website.
Economic vitality study underway
The Village continues to work with Camoin Associates as the consultant selected to spearhead the development of an Oak Park Economic Vitality Strategic Plan. This plan, which will be crafted with extensive community input, aims to guide the Village’s future economic strategy. The initiative reflects the Village's commitment to fostering a resilient and vibrant local economy, ensuring that Oak Park continues to thrive in the years ahead. All residents are invited to participate in the planning process, as their insights and feedback are crucial to shaping a prosperous future for the community. Any questions or comments regarding the study can be emailed to Brandon Crawford, Deputy Director Development Services, at BCrawford@oak-park.us.
Record tourism growth in Oak Park
Visit Oak Park recently announced that Illinois reached its highest-ever hotel/motel tax revenue figures in FY24 at $322 million in collections across the state, a 4.5% increase over the previous record set in FY23. In Oak Park, the news is even greater. Through the end of June 2024, hotel/motel tax collections in Oak Park have increased 15% over 2023 totals, totaling $149,102. This is a $21,375 increase over the first six-month totals of last year. June 2024 is the highest hotel/motel tax collection month in Village history. The Village’s 4% local tax is paid by guests who stay in the local hotel, the local B & B and AirBnB-type establishments. This 4% tax supports the Village’s general fund, along with assisting the Village’s financial support of tourism efforts by the Visit Oak Park organization. Visit Oak Park Executive Directory Annie Coakley said, “I’m proud of the stories we developed and shared in support of small businesses, makers, downtowns, and unique places to stay. It is the best part of the job: inspiring people to come to beautiful Oak Park and all our surrounding communities that are like no other in Illinois.”
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R Titus Designs celebrates one-year anniversary
R Titus Designs, 143 S. Oak Park Ave., in the Hemingway Business District will be celebrating its one-year milestone on Fri., Sept. 6 with an open house. Congratulations to business owner Robin Titus! More information on the open house event is available by clicking here. Hope to see you there!
We’d love to feature more Oak Park businesses celebrating an important anniversary. Contact Cameron Davis at cdavis@oak-park.us to be featured in a future Pick Oak Park Report.
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