New book shop coming to the Hemingway Business District
Local residents Jaime and Kurt Ericson have signed a lease for what will become the Dandelion Book Shop at 139 S. Oak Park Ave., in the vibrant Hemingway Business District. The Village is pleased to welcome the Ericsons to the Oak Park business community. To date, 84 new business licenses have been issued in the Village, and the Dandelion Book Shop is expected to increase that total.
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October's economic vitality scoop
Each month the Village’s Economic Vitality Team will endeavor to give you the scoop on a new store or business that you can expect to open in the not-too-distant future. October’s scoop should make wing lovers in the Oak Park area very happy. The Village is excited to announce that the national chain Wing Snob is planning to open a location at 7115 North Ave. This growing restaurant chain offers chicken wings, tenders, sandwiches and comfort food sides. Look for more information to come on this exciting future addition to Oak Park’s thriving North Avenue Business Corridor. Economic Vitality is alive and well in Oak Park!
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Eight new business licenses issued, 84 thus far in 2024
September was another strong month for new business license issuance in the Village. Eight new businesses licenses were issued, bringing the total for 2024 to 84, four more than this same time last year. In addition to Oak Park's strong home-based business license issuance, almost 60 new businesses licenses have been issued in many of the business districts located across the community. Thus far in 2024, 25% of new business licenses were issued in the DTOP business district, 12% in the Arts business district, 10% in the Harlem business corridor, 8.5% each in both the Hemingway business district and the North Avenue business corridor, 7% each in the Madison business corridor and the Roosevelt business corridor and 5% each in the Southtown business district, on South Boulevard east of Oak Park Avenue, and on Lake Street east of Ridgeland. A remaining 7% of new business licenses are located in other areas around the community. For a full list of new Oak Park Businesses, go to www.pickoakpark.com/newbusiness.
Oak Park businesses recognized with local awards
Seven Oak Park businesses were honored by the Chamber of Commerce last week at its annual Spotlight Awards & Soiree event. Awards were handed out in six separate categories, with multiple ties. Oak Park businesses recognized and pictured with Village President Vicki Scaman (second from right) and Chamber Executive Director Darien Marion-Burton (left) include Karen Morava of Careful Peach (second from left), Maia Stern of Stern Glassworks (center) and Trevor Toppen of Val’s halla Records (right). Also receiving awards were businesses Comedy Plex, Amerikas, Whirlwind Coffee and local non-profit Beyond Hunger. Congratulations to all of the nominees and award recipients.
Development Services staff attends DTOP's Business Academy
The Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance held seminars recently for business owners recently as part of the DTOP Business Academy. Staff from the Village’s Development Services Department attended to support the effort. Approximately 20 business owners participated in the first seminar, which featured Triton College representatives facilitating a discussion about branding skills at the Oak Park Library. One additional seminar on social media strategies will be held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 28 at the Oak Park Library. Oak Park business owners or managers can register online. The seminar is free for DTOP members. For non-DTOP members there is a $10 cost per seminar that can be paid online.
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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, 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 Oct. 21-22 and hosting a series of focus groups and other forums for community input. A community survey will follow and be open to all Oak Park businesses and residents. 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.
Need help benchmarking your building energy and water data? The Village can help!
Oak Park is following a best practice to improve commercial and multifamily energy efficiency, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower utility costs through the process of annual energy and water benchmarking. The Village of Oak Park’s Energy and Water Benchmarking Ordinance requires all multifamily and commercial buildings over 10,000 square feet to report annual water and energy usage to the Village. Usage for the 2022 and 2023 calendar years is due on Dec. 31, 2024.
Commercial building operators and owners are invited to join the Village, the Midwest Energy Efficiency Alliance and the Illinois Green Alliance for two workshops to ensure that your commercial building is in compliance. Part one will discuss where to access the necessary data. For part two, owner/operators can bring data and get hands-on assistance to enter the information as well as in-person troubleshooting of any issues. If interested, please register at the links below for commercial properties:
Commercial façade improvement grant program provides a big help to businesses
The Village'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 Development Services Director Emily Egan and Assistant Director and Economic Vitality Administrator Cameron Davis handing a C-FIP grant check to Bead in Hand building owner Mark Finger. New windows and a door were installed at the business with the assistance of the Village’s C-FIP grant program. For more information about the program, contact Cameron Davis at 708.358.5421 or cdavis@oak-park.us.
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Fall-focused festivities in Oak Park
Chills and Thrills – The Downtown Oak Park Business Alliance is holding a Chills and Thrills event starting at 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22. The evening begins with a Halloween Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. at The Beer Shop, 1026 North Blvd., followed by a free 7 p.m. showing of Nightmare on Elm Street at the Lake Theatre, 1022 Lake St.
Harvest on Harrison - The Oak Park Arts District will be hosting its annual Harvest on Harrison event from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. Activities will include an artist vendor fair, costume contest and trick-or-treating at businesses in the district on Harrison Street, from Austin Boulevard to Ridgeland Avenue.
Fall Family Fun – Join the Hemingway District Oak Park and the Collaboration for Early Childhood for the Fall Family Fun events scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26. A costume parade, early childhood resource fair and treats on "the Avenue" are just some of the fun events planned. The Hemingway District is located on Oak Park Avenue and Lake Street. Click here for more information.
Park District Events – Looking for more fall-themed events? Check out the Park District of Oak Park's website for even more fun!
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FEMA promoting disaster assistance for July storms
Oak Park residents and business owners whose properties sustained damage during severe weather events from July 13-16 could be eligible for federal funding to help in recovering from the storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is working with emergency management officials throughout Cook County to get the word out about options available for applying for assistance. Business owners can apply online at www.disasterassistance.gov, in person at one of FEMA’s Disaster Recovery Centers, via the FEMA app or by calling 800.621.3362. More information, including links to flyers with info about loans for homeowners and businesses, is on the Village website.
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