LAKEVIEW — Exploring Lakeview? Now there's an app for that.
Two Lakeview chambers of commerce have collaborated to launch GoLakeview, an iPhone and Android app — one of the few Chicago neighborhoods to have a dedicated mobile app. The app has been live for several weeks in soft launch but is now ready for business.
GoLakeview, a project of the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce, Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce and New Three Media development, directs users to local restaurants, theater, cafes, shops and bars — including a section with local specials by day and a section just for favorites of Lakeview residents.
Each business has its own profile page with information and an option to check-in on Facebook or Twitter. And eventually, the "Local Favs" section of resident favorites will change based on 30-days worth of submissions from residents as part of a "when in Lakeview, do what Lakeviewians do" mantra.
Beyond being a way to explore Lakeview businesses, the app shows local news — including from DNAinfo.com Chicago's Lakeview page — details about local alderman, parking information and a local events calendar, intended to be a Lakeview information portal for residents, too.
"We wanted to create a tool that would encourage residents and visitors to go out to explore and enjoy Lakeview," said Maureen Martino, the executive director of Lakeview East.
Even though it's a project of the chambers, businesses that are not members of the associations still display on the app, said spokeswoman Alex Jakubiak. (Lakeview has four chambers total, and Northalsted Business Alliance and Central Lakeview Merchants Association were not a part of the app's development.)
Businesses that are members receive enhanced listings on the app, and non-chamber businesses have the option to sign up for enhanced listings. The app is free to download and use.
