Preservation Chicago and Goodman Theater hosted a Chicago Legacy Business Panel Discussion on Saturday, September 27 before the evening performance of the play Ashland Avenue in front of a sold out audience of approximately 100 people.
The Chicago Legacy Business panel included Ken Walchak from Clark-Devon Hardware founded in 1924, Ken Raskin from Manny’s Deli founded in 1942, and Michelle Bullock from Old Fashioned Donuts founded in 1972, with moderator Adam Natenshon from Preservation Chicago. We discussed the greatness, challenges, and humor of Chicago Legacy Businesses and swapping stories from some our cities’ most precious, authentic and beloved businesses.
The Case to Support Chicago Legacy Businesses
Chicago Legacy Businesses are unique, authentic, precious assets. They are also endangered. Pressure from rising rents and competition from national chains has forced many Chicago Legacy Businesses to close. Chicago Legacy Businesses have supporting Chicago for decades. They have anchored neighborhoods, provided jobs, and delighted generations of Chicagoans and tourists. Chicago Legacy Businesses are a reflection of Chicago which is culturally rich and racially diverse. Their authenticity and uniqueness contribute to the quality of life for Chicagoans.
By recognizing and celebrating Chicago Legacy Businesses, Preservation Chicago hopes that Chicagoans will choose to support them by ‘voting with their wallets’. The simplest way for individuals to support Chicago Legacy Businesses is by shopping, dining and drinking at these establishments. But we collectively must do more. Now is the time for the City of Chicago and the people of Chicago take proactive steps to support them.
What is a Chicago Legacy Business?
Chicago Legacy Businesses are typically multi-generational, family-owned, locally-operated, customer-facing businesses in operation for over 35 years. Business owners often live in their community and employ people from their community. Many are restaurants, but there are many more categories.
A few examples of Chicago Legacy Businesses include: The Berghoff, Italian Village, Margie’s Candies, Manny’s Deli, Valois Cafeteria, Lou Mitchell’s, Green Door Tavern, Orange Garden, Daley’s Restaurant, Old-Fashioned Donuts, and Central Camera. There are many more Chicago Legacy Businesses still operating, but the list of permanently closed Chicago Legacy Businesses is much, much longer.
Economic Impact of Chicago Legacy Businesses: Chicago Legacy Businesses are a powerful economic engine which provide significant benefits to Chicago.
- Loyalty – They generate fierce loyalty that keeps Chicagoans coming back to the ‘old neighborhood’, even after they have moved to a different part of Chicago, to the suburbs, or even out of state.
- Tourism – When tourists come to Chicago, they seek the genuine, authentic and unique Chicago experiences that Chicago Legacy Businesses provide. Chicago is expected to see over 55 million visitors in 2025. The economic benefit from tourists coming to Chicago should be harnessed and leveraged by Chicago Legacy Businesses.
- Employment – Chicago Legacy Business provide a strong, stable employment base. They typically pay long-term employees more generously than national chains.
- Local Ownership – Chicago Legacy Businesses owners typically live nearby so the profits from the business stay local.
Strategies to Support Chicago Legacy Businesses: Chicago Legacy Businesses provide significant benefits to Chicago and therefore deserve additional support from the City of Chicago and people of Chicago. Chicago Legacy Businesses should be recognized, celebrated and supported.
- Recognition – An extensive list should be created to identify Chicago Legacy Businesses. This would provide a baseline for numbers, types, location, and more. Focus groups could provide critical feedback to help assess strains, struggles, and opportunities for growth.
- Celebration – Chicago Legacy Businesses are a precious Chicago asset that should be widely promoted. The more publicity and attention they are given, the more likely new Chicagoans and tourists are to patronize these businesses.
- Support – While promotion is important to generate additional foot traffic and sales, the City of Chicago and aligned business and tourism organizations should create a series of policy programs to provide financial support to Chicago Legacy Businesses.
Preservation Chicago’s Case to Support Chicago Legacy Businesses