SHOPPERS REBATE PROGRAM

A HUGE SUCCESS

The Special Service Area #5 Commission Approved a Christmas Holiday Shoppers Rebate Program to the tune of $11,000 this past December. The program was so successful that it had to be cut after the lst week of January after additional funds were approved to be added to that original amount were also exhausted. Shoppers that purchased gifts along Commercial (excluding food, fast food restaurants) were eligible to receive between $25.00 and a maximum of $100.00 when they presented their receipts to the chamber staff. The total amount of sales reached an all time high of $73,000 for the $13,500 in rebates. A good return on the investment according to the business owners and the commission. This two year program is meant to attract residents back to the community shopping district from suburban malls when at all possible. In addition to the Christmas Holiday Rebates, the Chamber  & SSA#5 also provided rebates for Back to School and Easter. There has been no decision made to determine if this successful program will continue into the 2010 calendar year. Funding has been tightening up and the need to re prioritize expenditures is taking place. Such projects as the street car and private security patrol have moved up in higher costs and importance in dollar appropriations

COMMERCIAL AVENUE….

A TARGET FOR ACTION

The Planning and Development Committee of the South Chicago Chamber along with the Commercial Avenue T.I.F. Advisory Committee have been visioning and planning for the day in which they and others “roll up their sleeves and begin the work of ‘revamping “the business strip”. There have been focus groups that identified the kinds of uses and businesses that are desired within the once vibrant business district that has seen the departure of many long established businesses. They have been replaced with an array of small mom and pop family owned retailers that do not necessarily offer the variety and quality of products that the community needs and desires. Long gone are the days of Goldblatts, Woolworths, Gassman’s Lester’s, Gayety’s , etc. The district now has retailers such as City Sports, Subway, an array of clothing stores geared at young people. The hold outs are Steel City Furniture, Little Giant Jewelers, Davis Bros Shoes and a few more. To date, there have been tours of various community shopping districts from around the city that are currently undergoing a transformation process. While the malls continue to be a major destination for shoppers, community shopping districts still continue to fill a critical need for residents. The products being offered are often not available at the malls. Most especially the mom and pop ethnic kinds of shops prevalent along Commercial. There have been numerous tours with developers and retailers that have identified South Chicago as a possible site for expansion or business start up. The touting of the many resources and opportunities available have solidified their interests even more. They include a T.I.F., Special Service Area and numerous funding sources for business start up and retention. Almost $850,000 has already been spent to upgrade the retail buildings thru such programs. A new round of money is also moving forward under the T.I.F. Small Business Improvement Fund. The Commercial Ave shopping district has been designated as a Pedestrian Shopping District. This kicks in many specific requirements for design and zoning. It is one of less than 2 dozen in the city with this designation.  The street car Milly, that brings about 1,800 residents to Commercial from the surrounding areas has gone a long way in making community shopping more appealing to both residents and non residents alike. In addition, the S.S.A has conducted shoppers rebates and promotions that also attracted shoppers looking for a bargain and savings. The next actions of the combined committee’s will include various informational sessions for both the business and property owners to learn more about the resources available to them at the three levels of government and private resources. A business start up series has also been set to begin in March that will assist entrepreneurs or business owners interested in expanding. The entire issue of business retention and attraction has become a number l priority at each level of government. Having a vibrant and successful business district is a win-win situation for not only the country, but the state, city and community as well. It creates jobs, keeps valuable dollars from consumers in the community (leakage rate of shopper’s dollars are tremendously high in most categories).The infill retail re-development effort’s to the many vacant lots and stores that can be observed along Commercial will hopefully find a new life to a strong and viable South Chicago area.