Welcome to Chicago's Gateway to the World

Welcome to Albany Park, Chicago's Gateway to the World and the city's most ethnically diverse community! Albany Park is a premier destination for shopping, dining, culture and entertainment on the northwest side. Experience nationally renowned and critically acclaimed theater and musical performances such as Flamenco dancing, Irish music or Cambodian art after dining at an award-winning restaurant! Read more in our Guide to Albany Park or take a mobile tour of the neighborhood!

May 11, 2012, By Patrick T. Reardon

"Hey, NATO diplomats!

I know you're being flooded with lots of official and commercial stuff about Chicago: Where views of the city are most beautiful. Where dinners are most tasty. Where to find the "real Chicago."

Ignore them...."

"... plop yourself down at the corner of Lawrence and Kedzie avenues in the Albany Park neighborhood, the cultural crossroads of a city that is a cultural crossroads.

I know, that's what NATO is. But life in Albany Park is nitty-gritty, day-in day-out diversity. It's eat-in-each-other's-restaurants and shop-at-each-other's-stores diversity...."  story continued here.

BMO Harris Bank Presents "Bon Appetit" Restaurant Crawl of Albany Park & North Park, Tuesday, May 22, 2012! Tickets on sale now! Get out your stretchy pants and put on your walking shoes 'cause it's time for Bon Appetit 2012! The 3rd Annual Restaurant Crawl of Albany Park & North Park features will take place this spring - list of participating restaurants, routes, details and more coming soon. View pics from previous Crawls here.


Multi-Chamber Networking Event, Thursday, May 24 from 5:30pm-8:30pm. $5 @  Copernicus Center Annex in Jefferson Park. Mingle, sip cocktails, nibble on tasty apps and swap business cards with entrepreneurs from the Albany Park, Belmont-Central, Edgebrook, Gladstone Park, Jefferson Park, Northwest Connection, Polish American, Portage Park, Six Corners and West Ridge Chambers of Commerce, as well as Local First Chicago...

More events in Calendar of Events

Violations for A-Frame / Sandwich Board Signs: Chicago Dept. of Transportation will begin issuing citation for public way violations, specifically A-frame / sandwich board signs on the sidewalk and flag signs in the public way. This is a $500 fine. There is no permit for these signs as they are considered unsafe for pedestrians and present a liability for the City. More info here. 

Now is a great time to renew your membership to the Albany Park Chamber! The Chamber had a successful 2011 featuring Bon Appetit Restaurant Crawl in Albany Park & North Park, and great luncheons, workshops, and networking events.  With your support we can continue to promote, market and advocate for your business. "Friend" us on Facebook and we can connect you to fellow businesses, local residents, and active community leaders to strengthen your business.  

Small businesses - $100
Large businesses - $250
Non-profit organizations - $50

Send in a check to Albany Park Chamber of Commerce

3403 W. Lawrence Ave, Suite 201
Chicago, IL 60625
click here for more info

3020 Dental Associates
3020 W. Montrose Avenue
(773) 754-3900
www.3020dental.com
Email: sreddy@3020dental.com 
Full-service dental office for Albany Park and beyond!


Concordia Place
3300 N. Whipple
Chicago, IL 60618
(773) 463-1600
www.concordiaplace.org
Multi-service non-profit providing opportunity to families with young children, teens and seniors

Despite the turbulent economy, the time is ripe for business expansion in Albany Park and Mayfair, concluded a study presented by nationally renowned retail analyst LISC MetroEdge to nearly 100 neighborhood groups, business owners and community leaders at a Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation meeting at Albany Bank & Trust Co., N.A. 

The density of Albany Park is the secret to our economic power. Residents - from Foster Ave south to Montrose Ave and Cicero Ave east to the Chicago River - spend more than $300 million per square mile annually on retail. That's triple the spending per square mile of Wilmette in the northern suburbs. In fact, only nine of Chicago's 77 communities boast more buying-power per square miles, among them Wicker Park, Bucktown, Lakeview and Lincoln Park... More in news.

Chica's Secret completed a stunning new renovation of the exterior and interior of their building utilizing the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF). Owner Jose Castro remodeled the storefront windows, doorways, floors, and exposed the brick and air ducts to give the store a great new look. Check it out at 3227 W. Lawrence Ave. Click HERE to read more about Chica's renovations and see before and after pictures.