North Side businesses have felt the economic impact of the recent terror attack, but they’re relying on old-fashioned American resilience—and a new campaign launched by Mayor Richard M. Daley—to help return Chicago to business as usual by the holiday season.
The tourism industry has seen the largest decline. For example, Anchor World Travel, 4829 N. Damen Ave., has lost 90 percent of its business recently, according to owner Samira Redzovic. Although the plunge was followed by a slight pickup, “the 10 percent traveling are mostly people who had to travel because of business,” she said.
In order for the industry to return to full strength, she said, the general economy must pick up and people need to see that it’s safe to travel again. “I hope this happens real quickly, but it could be a few months.”
Airfares remain pricey, but packages to the Caribbean and Mexico are available at large discounts. Redzovic herself canceled a family trip to Europe out of fear it could be cut short.
Pam Parker, concierge for the Ambassador West Hotel on the Near North Side, reported a 50 percent drop in business for September. However, she foresees tourism picking up in the next couple of months.
Mayor Daley and the Chicago Chamber of Commerce have teamed to urge visitors and residents to “Make It Chicago” by taking advantage of the city’s culture and entertainment.
Anyone booking a Chicago hotel getaway through the Chicago Tourism Call Center, 1-877-CHICAGO, will receive discounted rates on Chicago hotels. The first
100 callers who book a hotel room and ask for “Mayor Daley’s Make It Chicago” package will get two free tickets for a Chicago Architecture Foundation river cruise on Chicago’s First Lady and two free tickets to the Navy Pier Ferris wheel.
The League of Chicago Theaters has organized Get Together Tix. Many theaters, including Lookingglass Theatre Company, Steppenwolf Studio and The Noble Fool Theatre, will be offering a 25 percent discount on four or more tickets purchased for any Thursday or Friday night performance through the month of October.
A free coupon book with discounts for more than 100 Chicago attractions is available at the Chicago Office of Tourism visitor centers at the Chicago Water Works, 163 E. Pearson St., and the Chicago Cultural Center, 77 E. Randolph St.
North Side businesses have begun to see resurgence in customers as of late. The Hollywood Grill, 1601 W.North Ave., saw a huge slump in customers the first weekend after the attacks, according to George Liakopoulos.
The last weekend of September marked a return of the late-night crowd that the diner relies on for business. “Our first good weekend since the attacks,” Liakopoulos said.
“This is a very good sign.”
The late night crowds have been venturing out more lately, but “we are still down about five percent. I think we will be back to our normal pace by the end of the holidays,” Liakopoulos said.
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