BRONZEVILLE — After a disappointing first half of the week, some South Side businesses are hoping for a boost from people coming to town for the Democratic National Convention.
While city officials are promising a $150 million to $200 million economic boost for the thousands of delegates, politicians, journalists and celebrities flocking to Chicago this week for the National Independence Convention, some businesses near the convention’s other venue, McCormick Place, are reporting a rather quiet start.
Servers at Fatpour, 2206 S. Indiana Ave., told the Block Club that business was unusually slow at the family-friendly brewpub, a stone’s throw from McCormick Place, where party leaders hold their caucus and council meetings.
“The barricades may have confused the people looking for us, but there hasn’t been much going on in the last few days. We’re usually busy. We’re enjoying the peace and quiet,” said a waiter.
The sales associates around the corner at Succezz Boutique, 2214 S. Michigan Ave., also hadn’t noticed much foot traffic at first, but as more customers came into the store on Tuesday, the situation improved.
Both companies are located in the safety zone around McCormick Place, which restricts traffic entering. Parking is also prohibited on the surrounding streets during the week.
“More people are coming today, so it will be better by the end of the week,” said Alyssa Calderon of Succezz Boutique, a store that has been on the Near South Side for seven years.
A few blocks away, Momentum Coffee (2119 S. State St.) was quite busy, with a fair number of lanyard-wearing patrons stopping by for a shot.
“Many were disappointed that we close at 2 p.m.,” said an employee behind the counter.
Further south in Bronzeville, award-winning restaurant Bronzeville Winery is hosting private DNC events this week, but they, too, are waiting for the crowds. Owner Cecilia Cuff, who recently celebrated the grand opening of the public outdoor plaza she co-founded, told Block Club that the restaurant is seeing “historically low attendance.”
“Despite hosting all 50 states for the DNC Choose Chicago preview committee last year and eagerly registering for every planning committee information session, Bronzeville Winery has not received a response,” Cuff said. “We are hosting two private events for offset groups related to the Democratic National Convention. As was the case with Lollapalooza and NASCAR, the city seems to be tight, resulting in attendees being isolated in areas near the convention. Additionally, residents are not as mobile due to the road closures.”
The entrepreneur recently made similar arguments in an opinion piece for Crain’s Chicago, encouraging visitors to explore other parts of the city.
“The Democratic National Convention offers attendees an opportunity to get off the beaten path and engage with the city in a more meaningful way. Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and the Convention Planning Committee have made a commendable effort to involve small businesses from across the city in the convention story,” Cuff wrote.
Still, Cuff is optimistic the week will turn out well and is looking forward to attending Boxville’s “Celebration of Bronzeville Culture” on Wednesday. Visitors can enjoy food and refreshments while registering to vote and watch a livestream of the Democratic National Convention.
The free event at Boxville, the popular open-air shipping container market at 330 E. 51st St, begins at 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Bernard Loyd, founder of Urban Juncture, which operates the market, said Boxville has not had many visitors, but he believes “Wednesday will be the time.”
“A celebration of Bronzeville culture will bridge the high-level policies discussed at the DNC and the ground-up community building needed for our neighborhoods to thrive,” Loyd said.
