Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about Local Businesses

Elements gift shop, located next to a bus stop and a bikeway, and a four-minute walk from the 'L'. Image: Google Maps

Car-free streets have helped restaurants — don’t blame them for poor sales at your gift shop

By John Greenfield | Dec 8, 2020 | No Comments

We should have sympathy for merchants who are struggling. But when they blame car-free streets for their financial woes, it's best to take that with a grain of salt.

One of Divvy's new electric bikes. Photo: Divvy

Sorry folks, Divvy memberships and single rides are about to get a little more expensive

By John Greenfield | Dec 1, 2020 | No Comments

On January 1 the price of annual full-price memberships will go up from the current $99 to $108. Single rides will also see a price hike, from $3 to $3.30.

A dining tent on Southport Avenue in Lakeview. While residents are urged to never host non-household members, even in their backyards, it's still legal to drink at bars, many of which feature poorly ventilated shelters. Photo: John Greenfield

Here’s a smarter approach to Lightfoot’s self-contradictory Stay at Home advisory

By John Greenfield | Nov 12, 2020 | No Comments

Instead of telling residents to stay home except for essential trips and never hang out with friends, while keeping gyms, bars and restaurants open, the city should educate people about safe socializing and make outdoor dining and drinking safer.

The 5600 bock of North Harlem, looking south at the Blue Line station and the Kennedy. Image: Google Maps

Harlem station development controversy highlights barriers to creating equitable TOD

By Courtney Cobbs | Nov 9, 2020 | No Comments

The land just north of the Blue Line stop would be a good location for dense transit-oriented development with affordable units, but instead it may get a car-wash and a drive-through cafe.

What will and should Biden-Harris mean for transportation? Experts, advocates weigh in

By John Greenfield | Nov 9, 2020 | No Comments

After the initial euphoria of Saturday’s election result wore off, Streetsblog Chicago reached out to local transportation leaders to get their take on what the Biden-Harris administration will mean for sustainable transportation, based on the candidates’ platform and statements. We also asked these experts and advocates, as well as our readers, what they’d like to […]

The view from inside one of the Fulton Street domes. Photo: John Greenfield

Dome sweet dome? A look at more strategies to help bars and restaurants survive winter

By Sharon Hoyer | Oct 29, 2020 | No Comments

Here's a look at new kinds of outdoor dining, including greenhouses and domes, and the winners of the city's outdoor dining contest.

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