The 75th Street Boardwalk - Greater Chatham Initiative

Long renowned for its extraordinary eateries and bakeries and a destination for Chicagoans and visitors alike, the 75th Street Restaurant Row did not escape the pandemic’s dip in customers and revenue. However, with the vigor of the community leaders led by the Greater Chatham Initiative, the support of the City and, help from architects Ernie Wong of Site Design Group and RaMona Westbrook of Brook Architecture, the businesses experienced a resurgence of interest from late summer through the fall with the creation of the 75th Street Boardwalk on Restaurant Row. Working together, the architects and members of the community created a plan for a “boardwalk” spanning two blocks along 75th Street, between Calumet and Indiana Avenues. With a $250,000 Together Now grant from the City of Chicago and donations from many others, parking spaces were replaced by bright green recycled plywood-enclosed spaces for outdoor eating, playing and performances. As a result, already famous destinations such as Lem’s Bar-B-Q, Original Soul Vegetarian, Brown Sugar Bakery, Frances Lounge, Mabe’s Deli, and Margarita’s Pizza as well as new boutiques were showcased to the world and the 800 new visitors attracted to a series of special event days organized by the Greater Chatham Initiative. A bold experiment that worked; a model for others to emulate; and open for business in Summer 2021, the 75th Street Boardwalk is a resounding success. The proof, however, is both in the social cohesion and the morale of residents. As one resident stated, “You have to give me a reason to stay.” The 75th Street Boardwalk is a shining example of a reason to stay.