There’s no doubt Chicago’s retail corridors need a leg up — particularly those on the historically disinvested South and West sides — so in some respects we’re glad to see the city’s new $2.7 million effort to put pop-up businesses in vacant storefronts.
The money goes to 15 community organizations across the city. The groups will work out short-term leases with building landlords and help business owners open establishments such as pop-up shops, art galleries and indoor farmers markets in the currently empty retail spaces.
