Small Business Storefront Activations
The COVID-19 pandemic left significant increases in commercial corridor vacancy rates across the City. Brick and mortar businesses that relied on foot traffic to drive sales were particularly harmed as commercial corridors across the city saw major reductions in economic activity.
Fourteen (14) community and economic development organizations were awarded grants as part of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program. These selected organizations worked with small business owners and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by activating vacant storefronts into burgeoning business spaces. The goal of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program was to boost local spending and draw additional foot traffic to commercial corridors across the City.
The Small Business Storefront Activation Program concluded on May 31, 2025. Questions? Contact BACP at BACPEconomicRecovery@cityofchicago.org
2023 - 2025 Small Business Storefront Activation Program Grantees:
- Calumet Area Industrial Commission
- Coalition For a Better Chinese American Community
- DishRoulette Kitchen NFP
- Greater Chatham Initiative
- Greater Southwest Development Corporation
- Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
- Midway Chamber of Commerce
- Portage Park Chamber of Commerce
- The Far South Community Development Corporation
- The Magnificent Mile Association
- The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
- Uptown United
- West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce
Calumet Area Industrial Commission
The Calumet Area Industrial Commission’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://calumetareaindustrial.com
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://cbcacchicago.org
DishRoulette Kitchen NFP
DishRoulette Kitchen’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.dishroulettekitchen.com
Greater Chatham Initiative
Greater Chatham Initiative’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.greaterchathaminitiative.org
Greater Southwest Development Corporation
Greater Southwest Development Corporation’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://greatersouthwest.org
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce’s Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org
Midway Chamber of Commerce
Midway Chamber’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.midwaychamber.org
Portage Park Chamber of Commerce
The Portage Park Chamber of Commerce’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.portageparkchamber.org
The Far South Community Development Corporation
The Far South CDC’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://farsouthcdc.org
The Magnificent Mile Association
The Magnificent Mile Association’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.themagnificentmile.com.
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://prcc-chgo.org
Uptown United
Uptown United’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://exploreuptown.org.
West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce
The West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.westtownchamber.org/pop-up.