CHICAGO (WLS) — Because the summer season season wraps up, a few of Grant Park’s distributors and concessionaires is probably not again subsequent yr.
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The homeowners say elevated particular occasions and festivals are inflicting them to lose enterprise.
The Chicago Traditional Canine is at all times an enormous vendor at Pie Life, proprietor Invoice Prahofer has operated his enterprise out of a Park District constructing in Grant Park for 13 years.
Prahofer mentioned gross sales have been good through the early years, particularly when he received a liquor license, however not anymore.
“It is simply not figuring out. I am already type of taking the mortgage to get going. It is simply time to name it quits,” Prahofer mentioned.
Prahofer mentioned he’s calling it quits as a result of the park continues to shut down for large particular occasions.
He mentioned he loses cash not solely through the occasion, however each time there’s a arrange and tear down.
This yr, the summer season was stacked with Sueños, NASCAR Road Race, Lollapalooza and subsequent up is the Style of Chicago.
“The fixed development right here, like no person needs to be right here. It is simply, I imply, you continue to get some site visitors, nevertheless it’s simply decreased. As soon as Columbus has closed, our enterprise is minimize in half,” Jessica Korbe, the proprietor of Chicago Bike Boutique.
Korbe mentioned her enterprise is down 60% this yr. She sells home made souvenirs, shirts, keys chains and sun shades, out of a motorcycle transformed right into a cart.
She pays a seasonal payment to the Park District to function out of Grant Park.
Prahofer mentioned he pays month-to-month lease and he says the Park District is not going to cut back it for closed days.
In an announcement, the Park District says it has elevated its collaboration with distributors to assist their companies.
“It is principally such as you’re renting an house, after which your landlord is Airbnb-ing it, , so you are still paying the identical lease all summer season, however in the meantime, you get kicked out of your house,” Prahofer mentioned.
Prahofer mentioned the effective print within the contract says every now and then your online business could also be affected.
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