West Town Pop Up Project
The West Town Chamber of Commerce created the West Town Pop Up Project as a commercial development asset. The goal is to recruit new businesses to the West Town area by offering short term leases to potential small businesses interested in trying out physical retail space and their retail concepts on the Chicago Avenue commercial corridor in a short term “Pop Up”.
Access to a short-term temporary retail space allows brands, products, makers, artists, and entrepreneurs the ability to meet their current customers and gain new ones. Sole proprietors to large corporations can utilize the West Town Pop Up Project storefront as a retail access point, product or brand launch location, or experiential marketing space.
Mission:
The West Town Pop Up Project’s mission is to provide lessees with short term access to a physical retail storefront space in order to experience the West Town Chicago marketplace, while also encouraging retail business development along the West Town Chicago commercial corridors.
Space & Location:
The West Town Pop Up Project storefront space is approximately 550 square feet and located at 1821 W. Chicago Avenue, Chicago IL 60622.
Current Pop Up Project Tenant:
Swap & Strut - April 1, 2022 to May 30, 2022
The West Town Pop Up Project is currently booked through 2022. Please send all inquiries to info@westtownchamber.org.
The Space
The West Town Pop Up Project is a storefront space with high visibility on Chicago Avenue in West Town Chicago. The address is 1821 W. Chicago Avenue Chicago IL 60622. The West Town Chamber of Commerce office is located next door, and the Pop Up space is located within the footprint of the popular and well attended West Fest Chicago street festival and West Town Art Walk. For more information on the neighborhood please visit www.westtownchicago.com.
West Town Pop Up Project Space and Amenities Offered:
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Retail Space: 550 square feet (19’ x 21’5” main area )
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ADA restroom
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Small partially enclosed storeroom, dressing room, or office area
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Amenities: overhead lighting, electricity, heat, AC, water, security alarm
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Space Occupancy: 10 normally (please check current COVID safety guidelines for capacity adjustments)
Photographs by @Motorkast
The Corridor
The West Town Pop Up Project space is located in the vibrant West Town community on the City's namesake corridor Chicago Avenue. Please explore the business and community directory on this website and also www.westtownchicago.com for more information on the neighborhood and on the Chicago Avenue commercial corridor.
Tenant Application
The West Town Chamber of Commerce accepts tenant applications for the Pop Up Project storefront space on an ongoing basis.
Types of Pop-Ups Allowed:
Pop-Up Retail User License (formerly known as “Itinerant Merchant” License)
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Types of businesses: retail merchandise, including but not limited to, clothing, accessories, galleries, gifts, seasonal stores, estate sales, craft markets
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No alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis sales
Pop-Up Food Establishment User – Tier 1 City License
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Must hold City of Chicago Pop-Up Tier 1 Food License: may sell or offer nonperishable food and drink that is commercially prepackaged in a properly licensed establishment. No on-site food preparation allowed.
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Types of businesses: pre-packaged shelf-stable food and drink items.
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No alcohol, tobacco, or cannabis sales
The West Town Chamber of Commerce will provide the paperwork and assist approved tenants to submit and receive the required City of Chicago Pop Up Retail or Tier 1 Food License.
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Tenant must complete City of Chicago Business Information Sheet
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City of Chicago License Fees will be paid by tenant to City of Chicago:
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5-day license | $25.00
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30-day license | $50.00
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90-day license | $75.00
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180-day license | $100.00
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Please use the Online Pop Up Tenant Application OR download the PDF application linked below and follow the instructions to apply to become a Pop Up Project tenant. For detailed instructions, answers to FAQs, and more information click here. Please email supplemental materials to info@westtownchamber.org.
Terms & Lease Overview
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Lease Timeline:
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30 - 90 DAYS. Leases will be contracted for 30 to 90 days at a time.
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Leases consisting of more or less than 30 or 90 days may be available upon request.
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Rent:
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Level 1: $1,000 / month: Small business retailers, artisans, and nonprofits
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Level 2: $3,000 / month: Large businesses and chains (businesses with more than one current location)
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Level 3: $TBD / month: Corporations and Sponsors, please contact info@westtownchamber.org for more information.
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The West Town Pop Up Project space is located within the West Fest Chicago festival site and within the boundaries of the West Town Art Walk. Special corporate sponsorship and short term event pop up packages can be arranged.
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Financial & Insurance Requirements:
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At Lease signing:
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1st month’s rent
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Security deposit (1 month rent)
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Damage Deposit ($800)
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Insurance required: General Coverage up to 1 million, (West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce 1819 W. Chicago Ave. Chicago IL 60622) must be listed as additionally insured.
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For more details on the Pop Up Project, including additional requirements and terms, please click here for the FAQ Information.
The links below are the lease and contract sample templates and are strictly for reference and review and not for use. The actual final tenant's customized lease, lease riders, and required contracts based on those templates will be forwarded for review and signatures upon application acceptance.
Corporate Sponsors leasing the West Town Pop Up Project space during West Fest Chicago or West Town Art Walk will also have access to additional event sponsorship benefits and customized contracts. Please contact info@westtownchamber.org for more information or with any questions.
Photographs by @Motorkast