September's economic vitality scoop
Each month the Village’s Economic Vitality Team will try to give you the scoop on a new store or business that’s expected to open in Oak Park in the not-too-distant future. September’s scoop is exciting! The Village is happy to announce that The Wolf Boba Tea & Coffee Shop will be opening its Oak Park location in early 2025 at 134 N. Oak Park Avenue. The Wolf intends to bring delicious boba teas, specialty coffees, snacks and sandwiches to its convenient Hemingway Business District location. The Wolf prides itself in delivering high-quality products to all guests by using ingredients imported from Taiwan, where boba tea originated. Look for more information to come on this exciting new addition to the local business community.
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Commercial Façade Improvement Program a big help to businesses
Oak Park’s successful Commercial Façade Improvement Program (C-FIP) has already secured nine participants in 2024. The program assists local commercial business or property owners with improvements like new signage, awnings, lighting, windows, doors, tuckpointing, etc. Pictured is Cameron Davis (center), Village Development Services Assistant Director and Economic Vitality Administrator, handing a C-FIP grant check to Anfora Wine Merchants owners Adrian and Malika Weisll. Anfora Wine Merchants installed new outdoor lighting and a new awning with the assistance of the Village’s C-FIP grant program. If you are interested in more information about the Village’s grant program, please contact Cameron Davis at 708.358.5421 or cdavis@oak-park.us.
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Eleven new business licenses issued in August, 76 thus far in 2024
Oak Park recently welcomed more new businesses as economic vitality remains strong in the Village. Businesses like the Kiddie Academy, 1117 Garfield St., Mindfull Physical Therapy, 105 N. Marion St., Unit 4C, and Print Innovation Lab, 137 N. Oak Park Ave., Suite 128, all just recently obtained their new business licenses. These three businesses are among the 76 new businesses that have obtained licenses in Oak Park this year through the end of August. See the chart below for a year-over-year comparison. For a full list of new Oak Park businesses, visit the Pick Oak Park website.
Oak Park welcomes newest restaurant Sweet Dim Sum
The Village is pleased to welcome Sweet Dim Sum restaurant,1100 Lake St., Suite 106. A part of the Jim Chen Restaurant Group, Sweet Dim Sum opened in early September. Learn more about this restaurant by visiting its website. This is the seventh new restaurant that has opened in Oak Park in 2024. Look for announcements about new restaurants in future Pick Oak Park Reports.
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Congratulations Oak Park Jewelers on 40th anniversary
Oak Park Jewelers, 101 S. Marion St., is turning 40! During the month of September, the Village encourages everyone to celebrate the four incredible decades of Oak Park Jewelers (OPJ). Check out OPJ’s website for anniversary discounts and deals along with information about its New Designer Showcase on Sept. 26 - 27. Pictured are Oak Park Jewelers representatives with the Village's Economic Vitality and Development Services staff. If you know of an Oak Park business on the verge of celebrating an important anniversary, contact Economic Vitality Administrator Cameron Davis at cdavis@oak-park.us so that business can be featured in future Pick Oak Park Reports.
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The Shops of Downtown Shopping Center private parking lot changes
The Village Board recently approved a new parking system for the Shops of Downtown Shopping Center properties, located at the southeast corner of Lake Street and Harlem Avenue. The owners of the privately owned and operated parking areas will be implementing a new user system beginning in mid-October. Patrons can obtain validation when shopping in the Shops' stores, while non-shopping center patrons who use the lot will be charged a fee to park. Signage describing parking regulations will be posted.
Harvest on Harrison set for Saturday, October 26
Save the date for the Oak Park Arts Business District's annual Harvest on Harrison event, scheduled for noon - 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Activities include an artist vendor fair, costume contest and trick-or-treating at the businesses along Harrison Street, between Austin Boulevard and Ridgeland Avenue. Click here for more information.
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Economic vitality through tourism update
Visit Oak Park has launched an important new tourism program by hiring a concierge ambassador who is visiting 90+ Chicago hotels, the full list of which is here. This program will allow Visit Oak Park to place promotional information/collateral at these Chicago hotels. The concierge ambassador will also speak with hotel concierges about how Visit Oak Park can assist in planning day trips for their guests to see the sites, shops and restaurants in the Oak Park area. Economic vitality through tourism is alive and well in the Oak Park area.
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Economic vitality study continues
The Village continues to work with Camoin Associates on the development of Oak Park’s Economic Vitality Strategic Plan. This plan, which will be crafted with extensive community input, aims to guide the Village’s future economic strategy via a holistic approach that considers small business growth and development, business attraction and retention, and housing and regional partnerships. 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. The consultants will be in the Village from October 21-22 and hosting a series of focus groups and other forums for community input. Any questions or comments regarding the study can be emailed to Brandon Crawford, Deputy Director Development Services, at BCrawford@oak-park.us or in person at Village Hall.
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