City In Review: Chicago

Austin · Then vs Now

Austin: 2025-05 vs 2026-05

A side-by-side look at how Austin shifted between two periods.

2025-05 2026-05 Change
Building permits 81 0 -100%
Construction value ($) $13,770,303 $0 -100%
New business licenses 141 8 -94%
Business closings (proxy) 2 0 -100%
311 service requests 2,836 0 -100%
Reported crimes 1,043 0 -100%
Violent crimes 386 0 -100%
Failed food inspections 7 0 -100%

2025-05

Austin permit value jumps to $13.8M on fewer projects

Austin pulled 81 permits in May, down from 97 the month before, but their combined value shot up more than fourfold to $13.8 million. Most of the paperwork—59 permits—came through the city's express program, with another 11 for renovations. No new business licenses or closures showed up in the data this month.

2026-05

Austin logs eight new licenses in May

Austin issued eight new business licenses in May—Magnus Screw Products (manufacturing), Seligman Animal Hospital, M & S Food Market, Mobil Gas, Wally's Wash World, Brothers Tires & Associates, European Living, and Tom's Food & Liquor. The city recorded no building permits, service requests, crimes, or failed food inspections during the month. April had 25 permits worth $1.25 million and 1,162 service requests.

New businesses — 2025-05

  • UNCLE REMUS VIN: 1F66F5KY3K0A1883 PLATE #: 187006H (Special Event Food)
  • THE AVENUE QUE AND KITCHEN (Retail Food Establishment)
  • DIVISION QUICK MART (Retail Food Establishment)
  • GLAMOROUS ART STUDIO (Limited Business License)
  • 7 Shades Of Gray (Regulated Business License)
  • JAKACKI BAG & BARREL INC (Limited Business License)
  • CENTRAL METAL RECYCLING, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • CHICAGOLAND TRUCKIN, INC. (Limited Business License)
  • MAC'S RECORDS (Limited Business License)
  • MIDWEST CANVAS CORP (Limited Business License)

New businesses — 2026-05

  • MAGNUS SCREW PRODUCTS (Manufacturing Establishments)
  • SELIGMAN ANIMAL HOSPITAL (Animal Care License)
  • M & S FOOD MARKET, INC. (Tobacco)
  • MOBIL GAS (Tobacco)
  • WALLY'S WASH WORLD (Regulated Business License)
  • BROTHERS TIRES & ASSOCIATES INC. (Motor Vehicle Services License)
  • EUROPEAN LIVING, LLC (Limited Business License)
  • TOM'S FOOD & LIQUOR (Tobacco)