UPTOWN — After months of planning, Uptown's chamber of commerce has put together a tour of local restaurants aimed at supporting those businesses suffering due to the onslaught of construction in the neighborhood.
From 6-9 p.m. on Oct. 12, The Taste of Uptown, which is hosted by the Business Partners - The Chamber for Uptown, will weave participants through restaurants along Broadway and Wilson Avenue for a sample from Ethiopian, Mediterranean and Mexican restaurants along with others.
"It's a way to really celebrate the diversity in the neighborhood. We have something unique here and we should showcase it," said Greg Carroll, Executive Director of the chamber, which leads efforts to build a strong, unified business environment and facilitate economic development.
"It's something we'd been thinking about for a while. We thought it would be a good way to support local businesses especially those dealing with the CTA issues," he said. "It's something have asked about and we see that as out role to the businesses."
Participating businesses include: Baker and Nosh; Caravan Mediterranean; Crew Bar and Grill; Demera Ethiopian; Fiesta Mexicana; Heritage Outpost; Kal'ish Short Order Vegan; Lao Sze Chuan; Palla's Grill; Pokiology; Silver Seafood Restaurant; Thai Uptown; My Chocolate Soul; and Uptown Brownie.
Some businesses along the route will also "adopt" restaurants such as First Ascent, which will host Everybody's Coffee, and Spoil Me Hair Salon, which will host La Ciudad, Carroll said.
The event will also donate $5 from each ticket sale to Inspiration Corporation. The agency's social enterprise restaurant Inspiration Kitchen, 4715 N. Sheridan Road, closed its doors at the end of July after struggling to remain viable as public support for homelessness and low-income persons has dwindled.
"We were sad to hear about the restaurant shutting down. It just made sense given that one of the benefits [of the kitchen] is feeding the homeless," Carroll said, adding he hoped the agencies catering service could also participate.
Tickets are $25 in advance, $35 at the door and can be purchased here.
Participants can pick up their passport at Uptown Arcade, 4830 N. Broadway.
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