Business Impact

Many of our  Prospect Heights businesses are negatively impacted by the Vanderbilt Open Street and Underhill redesign, yet their struggles have been disregarded by the groups that run the programs. For the past few months, UNPCH volunteers have been canvassing local businesses to ask them directly how the Vanderbilt Open Street impacts them.

While it's true that some Vanderbilt bars and restaurants benefit from increased business during the Open Street, Vanderbilt has a more diverse economic ecosystem. Many of these other businesses and their customers rely on vehicular traffic more than foot traffic. So far, 16 Vanderbilt businesses have told our volunteers that they are in fact losing customers and business when Vanderbilt is closed. One such business is Mitchell's Soul Food, which has told us they will be forced to close their doors this year after 40 years if Vanderbilt is closed Sundays again. Multiple businesses on Washington and Underhill also report losing business when Vanderbilt is closed. 

Throughout the 2023 Open Streets season, UNPCH volunteers also conducted random surveys of attendance on the Vanderbilt Open Street. It was observed that only 7 establishments consistently placed additional seating in the street to serve patrons. Other restaurants opted to utilize their outdoor sheds and sidewalk seating instead. 

Some businesses have agreed to allow us to share their views and how their business is being impacted here. Others have asked to remain anonymous for fear of retaliation, which we are sad to say, has been reported from multiple businesses that spoke out against the program. Given this unfortunate  threat of retaliation, we are including some testimonials here anonymously. All testimonials have been shared with our elected officials however, to provide them a more rounded perspective of the impacts these programs are having on our larger community in hopes they will help to negotiate an equitable solution for everyone.