Chicago Businesses Reopen While Giving Back
Since the city of Chicago moved into Phase 4, hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions in all 77 neighborhoods are steadily and continuously announcing their reopening plans. In a testament to Chicago’s resilience and generosity, a number of those businesses announced plans to give back to their local communities as they reopen their doors.
From hotels to galleries, distilleries to museums, below are a selection of Chicago-area openings that have launched with a charitable giving initiative:
The Peninsula Hotel: When the Peninsula Hotel Chicago reopened on July 23, 2020, the property introduced a new We Meet Again package. In addition to perks like complimentary parking, daily breakfast, flexible check-in/check-out and credit that can be redeemed at the restaurant, bar or spa, the hotel will make a one-for-one meal donation to The Greater Chicago Food Depository, part of Feeding America national organization, for every meal purchased at the Shanghai Terrace and The Lobby.
Future Galerie: This new Chicago-based online art auction and sweepstakes platform launched in early July with donated artwork by Chicago’s favorite street artists. As street art historically calls out unjust elements of society, all proceeds go to racial justice organizations, chosen by the artists, that are taking deliberate actions to end systemic racism and create a more tolerant future. A few familiar artists include JC Rivera, Dont Fret, Max Sansing, Hanksy and Afrokilla.
The Chopping Block: With two locations in Chicago, this cooking school launched their reopening by partnering with charitable organizations on a series of virtual cooking classes. To date, the Chopping Block has raised money for the LGBT Chamber of Commerce, Greater Chicago Food Depository and North Side Housing and Supportive Services, which works to end and prevent homelessness in the Chicago area. Classes in August will benefit Green City Market and Common Threads with more classes to come.
KOVAL: When the severity of COVID-19 became clear in March 2020, Chicago-based distillery KOVAL adjusted its operations and pivoted to creating hand sanitizer. Since then, the company has donated well over 3,500 gallons of sanitizer to first responders, medical communities, and non-profit organizations. Supplementing KOVAL’s contributions were many generous contributions from the public to their GoFundMe campaign, as well as dozens of in-kind donations of raw materials, packaging, delivery services and more from Chicago businesses.
American Writers Museums: When the museum reopened to the public at the start of this month, the American Writers Museum announced plans in line with CDC, Illinois Department of Public Health and local safety guidelines along with a special promotion: For every ticket sold between July 3, 2020 and July 31, 2020, a dollar will be donated to Young, Black & Lit and Bernie’s Book Bank. Learn more about which Chicago-area hotels, restaurants and attractions are currently open, visit https://www.choosechicago.com/blog/special-events/whats-open-in-chicago/
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