opening a business
Whether you’re opening a new business, growing your existing business, or wanting to gain a new perspective about all Lakeview and Roscoe Village have to offer, you’re in the right place.
Being a part of our communities means your business will be at the heart of the action in Chicago. It’s where you’ll find local businesses thriving alongside destination retail and restaurants that draw customers from across Chicago with unparalleled access to public transportation. It’s where you’ll introduce your brand to local customers who spend more money per household than residents in many other communities in the region, and where there’s still plenty of opportunity for new investment to fill unmet needs. We’re a tight-knit community of energetic business owners and residents who like to be engaged in their neighborhood and support each other. And beyond being a great place for your bottom line, our high quality of life makes Lakeview and Roscoe Village the kind of neighborhoods where our business owners love to spend their time.
At a Glance
$119,198
Median Household Income
80.5%
College Educated
12%
Children Under 10 Years Old
Data and Insights
Neighborhood Snapshot Report
Thinking of opening your business in Lakeview or Roscoe Village? We’ve got you! Download our Neighborhood Snapshot Report for demographics, market analyses, and insider information about our neighborhood. Want a professionals’ opinion on your business plan? We’re happy to meet with you.
Available Storefronts
We can provide complimentary access to available storefront listings and critical market insights using data provided by leading real estate and economic research firms CoStar and Esri. Share basic information about your search and a member of our team will follow up with custom reports tailored to your needs.
Restaurant Start-Up Guide
Looking to start a restaurant? Check out the City of Chicago’s helpful Restaurant Start-Up Guide. The City will be more of a partner in helping you grow and create jobs by making the start-up process easier, reducing inspections and wait times through a team-based approach, helping restaurants pass their inspections.
Steps for Opening a Business
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The most successful businesses and leaders have a clear plan in place (business plan) that highlights your product, expertise, funding strategy, growth goals, and everything else that will contribute to your business’s success. Nearly all lenders require this for business loans, and it is a widely respected practice.
The City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is a one-stop-shop for businesses and provides resources and informative webinars on how to start your business and grow. Click here to access BACP’s YouTube page featuring on-demand educational webinars.
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Whether you’re a sole proprietor, LLC, corporation, non-profit, or other business model, you will need to identify as such with the State of Illinois.
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If you plan to do business in Illinois, regardless of if you’re based in Illinois, you’ll need to register as an employer with the State of Illinois.
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Are you looking for retail or office space in Lakeview or Roscoe Village? We can help! Whether you're looking to open a new business in Lakeview or Roscoe Village, or you're an existing business considering expansion, we can provide complimentary access to available storefront listings and critical market insights using data provided by leading real estate and economic research firms CoStar and Esri. Share basic information about your search and a member of our team will follow up with custom reports tailored to your needs.
We typically respond within two business days. For more information or further assistance, please call the Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce at (773) 472-7171.
Examples of information we can provide includes:
Storefronts available for lease or purchase
Demographic data
Consumer spending habits
Local expertise and perspective to help guide your decision making
Once you’ve narrowed down locations for your business. You need to check on the zoning. There are several different zoning classifications in the City of Chicago and checking the address for the building you hope to lease before you sign anything is critical to ensuring you can complete what you set out to do as a business professional. We highly recommend working with a local attorney if the business you are hoping to open requires any changes or special variance to the zoning.
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The City’s Small Business Center issues business licenses and regulates the business activities of all industries in the City of Chicago. To apply for a business license you may apply online or meet in person with one of the City’s business consultants. Understanding what can be done with each business license is critical to doing business legally in the City of Chicago.
Small Business Center
City Hall, Room 800
121 N. LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60602
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Depending on the license type, an inspection by one or various City departments must be conducted before license issuance. Permits are also required for outdoor signage, awning, sidewalk cafes, and other decorative ornaments.
Click here for public way use permits, etc.
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For some industries, a background check or other requirements must be met before licenses and permits can be issued. Check the City of Chicago’s website for more information.
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The Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce is a helpful resource and can help spread the word about your opening, provide referrals for the services and customers your business needs to succeed! Join today.
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