Cafe Streets
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Alfresco program will encourage outdoor dining, community space on car-free streets
The city of Chicago is accepting proposals for long-term outdoor dining projects to support tourism and activate neighborhood streets.
March 25, 2021
To help restaurants and bars survive winter, let’s make it easy to use car space for seating
There are plenty of ways Chicago can help restaurants and bars survive this extremely challenging period -- if city officials are willing to be flexible, generous, and proactive to help them out.
October 27, 2020
Converting parking to people space on 75th helps reenergize Black-owned restaurant strip
The new 75th Street Boardwalk, located between Calumet and Indiana avenues is available for use by eleven local restaurants and businesses.
September 10, 2020
Chicago’s Cafe Streets have been hugely successful. Let’s make them permanent.
Since pedestrianized dining districts are so economically successful and vibrant, and so much more pleasant than the normal car-choked situation, why don't we make them permanent?
September 1, 2020
City announces plans to help save taverns by by enabling outdoor seating
Effective immediately, bars, taverns, and breweries that lack kitchens can apply to temporarily serve on the sidewalk in front of their storefronts.
July 31, 2020
Cafe Streets are helping out local businesses in the ‘burbs
We checked out the on-street dining scenes in Arlington Heights, Brookfield, Gen Ellyn, Wheaton, St. Charles, Batavia, and Plainfield.
July 27, 2020
Newest car-free Cafe Streets mostly appear to be doing booming business
Taking away space from cars and making it available to people is providing a shot in the arm to the struggling hospitality industry, while allowing pandemic-weary residents to enjoy some nightlife.
July 14, 2020
Map: Here are the latest Chicago Slow Streets and Cafe Streets
Hopefully the city will take action to address geographic discrepancies, so all Chicagoans can reap the safety, health, and economic benefits of car-free streets.
July 8, 2020
Chatham business owners discuss the decision to cancel the Cafe Street plan for 75th
Some say that pedestrianizing the street would have caused traffic headaches. Others say the increased sales would have been well woth any inconvenience to drivers.
July 7, 2020
Chicagoans need more outdoor entertainment options that don’t require a car
Golf courses are open, but beaches aren't. Since summer street festivals and concerns are canceled, Chicagoans need more outdoor entertainment alternatives.
July 2, 2020
