As a program of the North River Commission, the Albany Park Chamber of Commerce works with the Lawrence Avenue Development Corporation (LADCOR) to beautify and physically improve our commerical district. Since LADCOR was created in 1976, we have partnered together to renovate more than 350 storefronts, leveraged more than $350 million, created/retained nearly 4,000 jobs, and installed the first trees, lights, benches and brick sidewalks along a commerical street in Chicago. Click here for more neighborhood history.
 
Today, the Chamber continues the legacy of neighborhood beautification. We partner with our business membership and area civic associations to clean and fill planters along our commercial streets, we advocate for the installation of more trash cans, benches, lighting and trees, we manage a streetpole banner program, we partner with LADCOR's Architectural Committee to promote LADCOR's "Lawrence Avenue Architectural Design Guidelines" for signage and storefront improvements, and promote storefront renovation grant programs to area businesses.

Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) - Receive a grant of up to $150,000 or up to 75% of your storefront renovation project costs (including all construction fees, permits, architectural drawings, etc.) The SBIF grant is funded through the local Tax Increment Financing Districts (TIF), and available to eligible* commercial tenants, owner/landlords and property owners for eligible* interior and exterior storefront renovations.
 The SBIF program is managed by Chamber member SomerCor 504, Inc. Visit SomerCor's website for a complete list eligible types of businesses, a full application, program rules, renovation guidelines and a map of Chicago's SBIF districts. *To determine your eligibility or enroll in the SBIF program, call the Chamber at (773) 478-0202.

Facade Rebate Program - Receive a grant of up to $10,000 for eligble exterior renovations to your storefront. This program is great for highly visible, impactful exterior projects. Remove or install new signage and lighting, restore and clean a terra cotta exterior, power wash or tuckpoint a brick facade and more! The Facade Program is available to all businesses in the City of Chicago located outside  of TIF districts. Call the Chamber to determine your eligibility at (773) 478-0202.

Renovation completed in 2007 through City of Chicago's Facade Rebate Program. Renovation included: expanded storefront, new windows, new oak window frames, new oak doors and entranceways, new signage and lighting. Look completed by planters and a bench outside entranceway. Total interior renovation completed simultaneously included: expanded restaurant, new kitchen, bathrooms and dining area, new floors,walls, ceiling, lighting, tile mosaics and fountain.

Renovation completed in 2007 through the Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF). Interior and exterior renovation included: expanded storefront, new entranceway, new authentic, imported Swedish windows and door, new exterior lighting and signage; inside new, expanded dining area, new ceiling, floor and lighting.

Renovation completed in 2006 through City of Chicago's Facade Rebate Program. Renovation included: new windows and frames, new signage and lighting, newly painted wall sign.

Renovation completed in 2006. Complete interior and exterior renovation includes: brick tuckpointing, wall repair, 2nd story window and frame replacement, removal of fire escape, renovated parapet walls, roof, new storefront entrances and doorways, windows and frames, exterior signage and lighting, new 2nd floor offices, bathrooms and stairways.

Renovation completed in 2009 through Small Business Improvement Fund (SBIF) grant. Interior and exterior renovation includes: complete gut rehab of dental office, new waiting room, foyer, reception area and kitchen with new floors, ceilings, walls, lighting/electrical, windows, doors, furniture/decor, new patient rooms with new equipment, lighting, ceilings and decor, new kitchen and bathroom, repaved back parking area, renovated exterior back wall/stairway, new sign and lighting. 

Renovation completed through SBIF Program in 2007. Renovation includes: removal of old drop ceiling and new ceiling and HVAC system, new walls, tiles floor with large tile floor mosaic, new marble counters, back display areas. Modeled after sweet store in Saudi Arabia.

Renovations completed through SBIF Program in 2007. Renovations in various phases include: new storefront windows, frames and doors, old signage removal, facade cleaning, new canopy signage and lighting, repaired fire escape; new elevator, electrical systems and comprehensive security system.

Renovations completed through SBIF Program in 2007. Interior and exterior renovations include: complete new facade, signage, LED sign, lighting, canopies over windows and drive-thru, new decorative wrought-iron fence; complete new dining area with new lighting, floors, ceilings, booths, flat screen TVs.

Renovations completed through SBIF in 2007 and 2009. Renovations include: installation of decorative, wrought iron fence, new HVAC system, and 6 new garage doors.