Open a Business on Clark Street
Starting a business? Congratulations!
You already know that you’re in for lots of excitement and fun, and you want your business to become a brilliant success. We want all those things for you, too… and have so many resources – free of charge – to make your new venture a winning enterprise on every level.
Selecting a location
Our neighborhood is known as one of the most vibrant and varied around, with shops ranging from small eclectic boutiques and ethnic eateries to local outposts of international retailers. This diversity in retail offerings is reflected in, even driven by, the range of zoning you’ll find in our dynamic corner of the city. Zoning within the Clark Street SSA consists of Residential Multi-Unit Districts (RM), Planned Development Districts (PD), Neighborhood Shopping Districts (B1), Community Shopping Districts (B3) and a Public Open Space District (POS).
Want to learn more about zoning, available properties, and the demographic and psychographic profiles of the people who live and work in the area? Find information including desriptions, maps & charts of the properties available for you to open (or move) your business to Clark Street? Browse available properties on Clark Street by location, size, amenenties, and surrounding businesses ... then view property photos and details to find the right location for your business. Read more>>
Choosing a design
Design matters! Lincoln Park is known for its character and charm, and appealing neighborhoods draw more shoppers. The Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce has developed the "Lincoln Park Guide to Good Design" as a resource for current and aspiring business and property owners. The Guide is available free of charge; just stop by or call the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce to obtain your copy.
Providing Parking for your Customers
Easy parking and loading zones for your customers is key to your venture’s success. Please take a look at the pointers below for a brief update, and if you have additional questions, please contact your alderman or the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP).
- Loading zones are designated areas in the parking lane for loading/unloading of deliveries to businesses. You can request loading zones through your alderman’s office.
- 15-minute Standing zones are designated areas in the parking lane for temporary parking by vehicles with hazard lights flashing; again, please contact your alderman to apply.
- Valet zones are special loading zone areas in the parking lane for the operation of a valet service. Please apply through your alderman’s office.
Tapping into City of Chicago Resources
Interested in opening a sidewalk café? Hoping to add martinis to your menu? For a complete list of all permits necessary to operate a business in Chicago, please visit the City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) or call 311. You can also obtain expert advice on business, legal, and financial matters through the Solution Station available from the BACP website.
Other valuable resources
For entrepreneurs who currently own or plan to open a business in Lincoln Park, the LPCC has a vast number of tips, guides, resources, and events to help you tackle challenges and make the contacts you need to further your business. Contact the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce for additional membership information.
