Running a restaurant has never been for the faint of heart, and the COVID-19 pandemic has only made staying afloat even harder. Labor shortages, supply chain issues, sick employees, not enough financial assistance, hesitant diners- the list goes on and on and we know if you’re running a restaurant right now this is by no means breaking news. 

The Small Business Administration is stepping into the world of online education.

The National Restaurant Association’s 2022 State of the Restaurant Industry is now available, and IRA members can download a complimentary copy ($349 value) today.

Right now, Black entrepreneurs are facing unique barriers to business success. At SCORE, they’re working to change that by removing those obstacles and providing Black small business owners with access to personalized support. That’s why they created SCORE for Black Entrepreneurs: to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go.

The City of Chicago recently updated its public health order for its proof of vaccination in public places requirements.

Small businesses are a vital part of what makes our neighborhoods exceptional! Alderman Martin's 47th Ward office welcomes the opportunity to highlight your business in the new Small Business Spotlight section of their weekly newsletter. To be considered, tell them more about your story, your business, and/or your staff.

NFIB’s monthly Small Business Economic Trends report shows that small business optimism increased slightly, although significant problems remain – most importantly high levels of inflation as well as the ongoing staffing shortage.  

On Tuesday, January 18, the city of Chicago’s ordinance that regulates the offering of single-use foodware at takeout or delivery from restaurants will go into effect. The ordinance requires restaurants to provide single-use foodware - such as napkins, disposable utensils, or condiment packets - for delivery or takeout only upon request from the customer or at a self-service station.

Grants are a great way to receive growth capital for your small business. With a simple application, you can receive cash and other benefits for your qualifying company.

To help small business owners and entrepreneurs grow their businesses in the new year, we asked business professionals and leaders for their insights. From investing in quality SEO content to capitalizing on e-commerce, there are many ways to grow your business in 2022.

As we head into 2022, many small business owners have a lot on their minds. Will the new year be one of uncertainty or recovery? Will consumers continue spending? Will employees be on the lookout for another job? Similarly, aspiring entrepreneurs have a lot of questions too. Is 2022 a good year to start a business? They, too, are concerned about consumer behaviors and the mood of the country.

The National Restaurant Association is collecting information on the economic impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Please be assured that all information provided is anonymous and strictly confidential. The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete. Please submit a completed survey by January 18.

With winter officially here, please remember to clear your sidewalks of snow and ice to ensure the safety of customers, residents, and visitors in Lakeview and Roscoe Village.

Effective January 1, 2022, all Chicago employers of nannies, care workers, and home cleaners must provide their workers with a written contract in their preferred language. The contract must include the wage and the work schedule agreed upon by the employer and the domestic worker. This mandate ensures accountability, transparency, and predictability for domestic workers so they can plan for themselves and their families.

DPD is now accepting applications for grant funding to support local commercial, mixed-use, and light manufacturing development. All are welcome to apply. City staff will prioritize projects in areas of Chicago where there is a history of disinvestment or limited private investment.

The city will require some businesses — including bars, restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues — to start checking patrons’ COVID-19 vaccination status starting Monday, January 3rd.

Starting January 1, 2022, Illinois restaurants that offer a packaged "children's meal" will be required to offer at least one of the following beverages as the default beverage with the meal: water, sparkling water, or flavored water with no natural or artificial sweeteners, 100% fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners, nonfat or 1% dairy milk, or a non-dairy milk alternative with no added or artificial sweeteners.

With the recent uptick in crime in both Lakeview and Roscoe Village, we know safety is top of mind for our business owners and residents. The safety and security of our businesses and residents remain our top priority, and the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce will continue to work with the 19th District, Wards 32, 44, and 47 office, and other community partners to make sure our businesses and residents feel safe. Below are resources that the 19th District office would like us to share with our business community. To help deter crime, business owners should ensure that surveillance systems are active and monitored. Additionally, business owners and staff should be alert, plan ahead, trust their instincts, and hide valuables. If you or your staff witness suspicious or illegal activity, do not hesitate to call 911. Please note, the 19th District office will be deploying additional resources to deter crime throughout Lakeview and Roscoe Village.

U.S. Small Business Administration Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman recently announced that the SBA intends to elevate its Office of Women’s Business Ownership (OWBO) to directly report to the Office of the Administrator. Under Administrator Guzman, the SBA has expanded the number of Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to a record 140 locations nationwide. These WBCs offer a network of extensive on-the-ground resources that include free to low-cost counseling, training, business development technical assistance and are dedicated to assisting women entrepreneurs to start, grow, and expand their enterprises.