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Welcome to The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce
Greetings!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a City of Chicago delegate agency here to service the businesses located within our community. We offer events and seminars throughout the year that can assist you with many of your business needs. Please feel free to contact us at anytime if you need business assistance. Get a FREE Trial of Constant Contact!  As a THANK YOU for being a supporter of our Chamber, please enjoy a FREE trial of Constant! Just click below to sign up! Sign up for your FREE trial
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Ground Breaking - You are Invited!  The West Ridge Chamber is pleased to announce that 1st Financial Credit Union is breaking ground on a new location in our neighborhood. Please come and show your support!
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
9:30-10:30am
Northwest corner of Peterson @ Richmond Chicago, IL 60659 |
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SBIF Money is Available for Touhy & Western Businesses
The Small Business Improvement Fund uses TIF dollars to provide grants up to $150,000 to businesses located within the TIF district. Currently, the Touhy/Western TIF is accepting applications.
The grants do not have to be repaid!
Eligible Expenses For a SBIF Grant include, but are not limited to:
- New windows, floors or roof
- Sign removal and replacement
- Tuck pointing
- New heating, ventilation and air conditioning
- Improvements to accommodate disabled patrons or workers
- Purchase of adjacent property for building expansion or parking
To obtain your application, please go to Somercor 504 or contact the West Ridge Chamber. |
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Customer Friendly Words and Phrases
Given a choice, most people will choose to do business with a friendly business rather than a business-like business. The words you use can help position your business as a friendly business. Let me give you two examples.
Business-like: You have to complete this form.
Friendly: You need to complete this form.
Notice how changing just one word can make an instruction a little friendlier. Now, let's look at another example.
Business-like: What are you looking for?
Friendly: How can I help you?
Often, it's the little things which make a big difference in how customers feel about your business. Take some time to analyze what you are saying to your customers and try to make your expressions a little friendlier. It doesn't cost you anything, but it is a good tool to help you maintain and grow your business.
TaxCutters, Inc
2457 W. Peterson
773-728-1500. Dennis J. Frantsve |
Office Depot Saves You Money!
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Office Depot stores to bring you discounts on the most frequently purchased office supplies.
We encourage all local businesses to sign up for this unique program.
Discounts can be used at any Office Depot store or online. Deals can be up to 40% off items such as paper, toner and ink. Even office furniture and printing are included. Please contact the Chamber to sign up!
Find Out More Here!
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Energy Market Exchange 
Would you like to save money on your electricity bill? Free you Business from Rising Energy Costs with a Guaranteed plan. Just a few minutes with our Energy Experts can save you money. Save up to 30% on your commercial Electricity.
Ready to get Started? Here's how it Works....
1. We Gather information (provide us with a copy of you energy bill.) 2. We Analyze your Energy Bill (We perform a no cost, no obligation analysis to determine if you qualify for a better rate and program.
3. You start Saving Money (We present your options. You decide to ACTIVATE your savings. No cost to switch providers, Assurance of the same energy, same delivery company, same poles and wires.
Eric Finkelstein
START SAVING NOW !!!
FAX A COPY OF YOUR ELECTRICITY BILL TO FAX # 847 674 2523 |
Performing Arts Ltd. Call For Extras This holiday season will kick off in West Ridge with the Performing Arts Ltd. performance of "The Nutcracker". PAL is looking for adults from the local business community to participate in this year's production.
NO DANCE EXPERIENCE IS NECESSARY! Adult performers will be used in party scenes throughout the performance and will be a great opportunity to get your business involved in the local community. Invite colleagues and clients to see you on stage! The performances will be held at St. Scholastica Academy and at Lincolnwood Town Center in late November & early December. If you are interested in getting involved in the 2011 PAL performance of "The Nutcracker", please contact PAL owner, Katie Kinnyon at 773-262-DANCE or stop on by the studio at 2740 W. Touhy Avenue. |
Save the Date - Open House Chicago
The Chicago Architecture Foundation is conducting Open House Chicago October 15 & 16, 2011 to give visitors free access to more than 100 special places and spaces throughout the City that are rarely open to the public. Visitors will take self guided tours hosted by local residents in 5 diverse neighborhoods: downtown Chicago, Bronzeville, Garfield Park/North Lawndale, Little Village & Rogers Park/West Ridge. Sites range from the original Sears Tower to an apartment building resembling a castle with a Moorish style basement swimming pool, to a development that re-uses bowling alley flooring.
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is a proud community partner of Open House Chicago 2011.
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| News from the Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Public Library will also be hosting a number of additional programs aimed at entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Small Business Resources from the Chicago Public Library presented in Spanish. Saturday, Sept 24, 10:30-12:30
Financial Strategies for Your Business, Video Theater, Lower Level, Tuesday. Sept. 27, 4:00-5:30pm� Starting a Business in Illinois,Video Theater, Lower Level,Tuesday. November 15, 4:00-5:30pm.
The programs listed above take place at the Harold Washington Library Center , Business Science Technology Division at 400 S. State St . Please call (312) 747-4400 for more details.
The Chicago Public Library will also be participating in a number of citywide small business resource fairs. These are great opportunities for small business owners or potential entrepreneurs to talk with various agencies and organizations to learn more about available resources and programs. These fairs are free and open to the public.
City Treasurer's Small Business Expo, Friday Oct 7, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at the UIC Forum, 725 W. Roosevelt Road . For more information: http://www.chicagocitytreasurer.com/smallBusinessExpo/smallBusinessExpo.htm
City of Chicago Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Office's Business Works Seminar. Thursday Sept. 18 from 5:30-9:00 pm at Wright College , 4300 N. Narragansett For more information:
http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bacp/supp_info/free_business_workseventsfor2011announced.html
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| Upcoming Events
3rd Quarter 2011 Luncheon
Thursday, September 8 1230-2pm
Location US Cellular Store,
7564 N. Western
Speaker: Kim Valente from JVS Chicago
"Preparing a Business Plan to Present to a Financial Institution"
$15 for WRCC members/$20 non-members
Paper Shredding & Electronics Recycling Day
Sunday, September 11
9am -noon
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western
Joint Networking Event!
West Ridge Chamber of Commerce & Jewish B2B Networking
Wed. September 14
8am - 9:30am
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western Avenue, lower level
$10in advance
$15 at the door
Celebrate Small Business Week!
Social Security
More than Meets the Eye
Wed. October 6
5:30 -7:00pm
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western
FREE for WRCC members/
$5 for non members
Passion for Style Arts & Crafts Fair
Sunday, November 20
10am-3pm
Holiday Inn North Shore
5300 W. Touhy
$3 in advance / $5 at the door
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Moose Grill Expands Menu
The revised menu debuts some new items; including a new sandwiches, cheese fries and a build your own grilled cheese option.
The restaurant also has new hours, beginning September 6th: Monday - Friday: 11am - 8pm Saturday: Open at 11am for lunch Closed Sunday All major credit cards are now accepted! Please visit Moose Grill at
7210 N. California Avenue Chicago, IL 60645
773-351-1991 |
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SAVE THE DATE!
The West Ridge Chamber is planning a four part business planning series with chamber members James Brewer and Asif Vadaria. Stay tuned for more details on these topics....
September 21- Cashing in on What You've Built-
Business Succession Planning
Ted Koester
October 26- Planning to Keep More in Your Pocket-
Business Tax Planning
Asif Vadaria
November 16- Securing Your Future- Planning for Retirement Keeping James Brewer
December 7- it In the Family Multi-Generational Estate Planning
All
The series will be hosted at
Devon Bank.
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August Chamber Members
New & Renewing
Fathers, Families in Transition
High Ridge YMCA
Joyful Dental Care
Tax Cutters, Inc.
\We thank you for your support!
Need to pay your 2011 dues?
PAY HERE |
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Recycling Options
Fall Shredding & Paper Recycling
Sunday, September 11
9am-noon
Devon Bank Parking Lot
6445 N. Western Ave.
The Chamber sponsors two locations for you to recycle paper 24/7/365
Devon Bank
6445 N. Western Avenue
High Ridge YMCA
2424 W. Touhy Avenue
You can drop off business or school papers, magazines, newspapers or soft covered books at either location at anytime day or night.
All papers are used to make recycled newsprint. Plus, the Chamber uses this program as a way to raise funds for our programs. We collect a small monetary amount per ton of paper we collect each month.
Save the earth & support your local Chamber.
In 2010, West Ridge recycled 31.68 tons of paper!
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North Side's Small Business Development Fund Gets Rolling
 | Denise Buckman and Kevin Morris of Rolling Clean Car Wash with
Tom Laures, North Side's Small Business Loan Officer. |
North Side Community Federal Credit Union (North Side) has been servicing the Uptown neighborhood for years. North Side's new SBDF allows entrepreneurs the funding to help start a business or expand an existing business. In February of this year, North Side received funds from the Office of the City Treasurer to offer Chicago-based small businesses micro loans. An existing business can borrow up to $35,000 while a start up operation can qualify for up to $15,000. Typically, these loans are used for build out, working capital and for acquiring machinery, tools and inventory. The loan term is up to 5 years at a prime +2% interest rate. As of June 2011, the current rate is 5.25%. Find Out How You Can Obtain Funds |
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SSA #43 Devon Avenue
The West Ridge Chamber of Commerce is the Service Provider for the Devon Avenue Special Service Area.
Fall 2011 Services Include:
sidewalk sweeping and trash can emptying 7 days a week and 2x on Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays
Servicing of the 24 Big Belly Solar cans
Landscaping of 28 planters
Snow removal services begin in November
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Available Properties
The Devon Bank Building has office space for rent. Please contact Irv Loundy at 773-423-2424 for details!!
Commercial Space
2818 W. Devon, Chicago
$329,000
call 847-863-4977
Condo for Rent
Large 2 Bedroom Condo, available immediately for rent. Location address is 7402 N Sheridan Road, at the corner of Sheridan and Jarvis.
The condo has 2 large bedrooms, full bath, separate dining room, huge kitchen and spacious living room. Total size is approx 1015 sq feet. This is a 3rd floor unit, with hardwood floors, across the street from the lake, close to Loyola. Laundry and storage locker available in building. Rent is $1200/month, and includes all utilities except electric. Recently renovated and in move in condition.
Contact Afzal @ 630-664-6048. |
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