City In Review: Chicago

North Center · Then vs Now

North Center: 2025-03 vs 2026-03

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

2025-03 2026-03 Change
Building permits 45 38 -16%
Construction value ($) $6,815,756 $2,392,376 -65%
New business licenses 24 31 +29%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 905 1,316 +45%
Reported crimes 98 111 +13%
Violent crimes 26 18 -31%
Failed food inspections 4 5 +25%

2025-03

North Center violent crime jumps from 8 to 26

North Center saw 26 violent crimes in March, up from eight in February. Overall crime rose 26% to 98 incidents. Permits climbed to 45, but their total value dropped 59%—express permits (19) and sign permits (10) drove the count. New businesses included 2nd Star Tavern, Jersey Mike's, and Pasta al Gusto. Service requests jumped 22%, led by 155 graffiti removal calls and 89 pothole complaints.

2026-03

North Center permit count doubles despite lighter spending

North Center logged 38 permits in March, double the prior month's 18, though total value slipped 13% to $2.4 million. Express permits led the way with 15 filings. New business licenses jumped 35%, including Roost Chicken & Biscuits, Cafecito, and VIP Pet Grooming. Food inspection failures quintupled from one to five. Service requests climbed 14%, with traffic signal complaints (140) edging out potholes and tree trims (131 each). Crime ticked down 4%, violent offenses off 14%.

New businesses — 2025-03

  • CAD RESTAURANT GROUP, LTD DBS JERSEY MIKE'S (Retail Food Establishment)
  • 2ND STAR TAVERN (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • 2ND STAR TAVERN (Outdoor Patio)
  • 2ND STAR TAVERN (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Reed Meyer (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • THE TCM GROUP (Limited Business License)
  • North Center Animal Hospital (Animal Care License)
  • PASTA AL GUSTO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • The Denim Lounge (Limited Business License)
  • JEWEL FOOD STORE #3454 (Tobacco)

New businesses — 2026-03

  • CHIRP Radio (Raffles)
  • CAFECITO (Retail Food Establishment)
  • BRANDON KOLAWOLE LEWIS (Peddler License)
  • SEW CRAFTY STUDIO (Limited Business License)
  • SUBWAY (Retail Food Establishment)
  • VIP PET GROOMING INC. (Animal Care License)
  • ROOST CHICKEN & BISCUITS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • ROOST CHICKEN & BISCUITS (Consumption on Premises - Incidental Activity)
  • CLOUD 9 NUTRITION (Retail Food Establishment)
  • THE BURNT TIGER (Regulated Business License)