As Chicago welcomes the start of the outdoor dining season, businesses prepare for a bustling summer with the return of major events, including the highly anticipated Grand Park 165 race. One of the hotspots of this revival is the stretch of Clark Street between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street, where last year's street closure was met with overwhelming public support. Restaurants along Clark Street, such as The Smith, are eagerly awaiting the city's approval for another year of expanded outdoor dining, which could potentially double their business intake. "They’re going back and forth about the best way to do it, and whether or not to do a full closure or partial closure," Ashley Derousseau, manager of The Smith, told the Chicago Sun-Times. She added optimism about the prospects, asserting that some form of street dining seems forthcoming.
Mirroring a sentiment expressed by famous chef Rick Bayless, many are advocating for street closures to create a festive atmosphere. "I encourage the city to really pay attention to the street closures ... or at least give us the parking lanes so that we can create more of a destination," Bayless said. While the Democratic National Convention in August promises additional foot traffic, establishments like The Smith are boosting their staffing in preparation. The excitement is not limited to outdoor dining, as the Windy City braces for NASCAR to rev its engines at the Grant Park 165 race, an ambitious event that blends high-octane action with a slate of concerts aiming to capture a diverse audience and following the economic trail blazed by iconic international races.
Julie Giese, NASCAR executive, emphasized the importance of the Grant Park venue, saying, "You talk about Monaco and those views – whether you’re familiar with the [Monaco Grand Prix] or not, you have a visual of it, right? I think Chicago lends itself to that with the location we’re racing in, around Buckingham Fountain, around Grant Park." Giese told ChicagoGlobal, that the race is more than just an athletic event; it's a platform designed to grow NASCAR's audience and celebrate the culture of Chicago with a special nod to house music, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year.
The economic impact of the NASCAR event is not to be understated either. A study by Temple University’s Sports Industry Research Center estimated a $109 million windfall for Chicago from last year's race, making it one of the city's most lucrative sporting events. The event supported 750 jobs and generated millions in taxes. With Grant Park's street race slated to return this July, including performances by artists like The Black Keys, a mixture of enthusiasm and skepticism simmers among Chicagoans. Despite some residents' concerns about traffic disruptions and event logistics, many, like 85% of last year's non-local attendees, might go on to recommend Chicago as a travel destination after the engines cool down and the music fades.
