City In Review: Chicago

Uptown · Then vs Now

Uptown: 2024-07 vs 2025-07

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

2024-07 2025-07 Change
Building permits 35 29 -17%
Construction value ($) $4,415,517 $3,923,394 -11%
New business licenses 52 237 +356%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 1,227 1,409 +15%
Reported crimes 425 427 +0%
Violent crimes 132 135 +2%
Failed food inspections 5 3 -40%

2024-07

Uptown permits jump 21% despite value dip

Uptown pulled 35 permits in July, up 21% from June, though their combined value fell 26% to $4.4 million. More than half were express permits — the quick-turnaround kind — with another 11 for renovations or alterations. Permit count climbed even as dollar figures slid, suggesting smaller-scale work drove the month's activity.

2025-07

Uptown adds 237 businesses, triples previous month

Uptown logged 237 new business licenses in July, up 282% from June's 62. New names include Sunny Kids Land, a children's services facility, and Mama's Feelings Tracker LLC. Permit value climbed 13% to $3.9 million even as permit count dipped slightly to 29. Express permits led the way with 19 filings. Service requests rose 6% to 1,409, with graffiti removal topping the list at 119 calls. Crime ticked up 3% to 427 incidents, and three restaurants failed inspections, double June's total.

New businesses — 2024-07

  • FIREBIRD PIRI PIRI GRILL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • TACO BELL CANTINA (Retail Food Establishment)
  • LOWELL DENNIS THOMPSON (Peddler License)
  • COMPLETE CARE AT SHERIDAN COMMONS (Regulated Business License)
  • COCOBAR (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • ACCESS CONTEMPORARY MUSIC (Limited Business License)
  • Milk Handmade (Limited Business License)
  • DOWNSTATE DONUTS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Uptown United (Raffles)
  • RESERVOIR (Retail Food Establishment)

New businesses — 2025-07

  • MAMA'S FEELINGS TRACKER LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • SUNNY KIDS LAND (Children's Services Facility License)
  • GARDEN OF COLLECTIVE LLC (Limited Business License)
  • NDR PHOTOGRAPHY (Regulated Business License)
  • Titilope Oladini (Shared Housing Unit Operator)
  • VIVA ENTERTAINMENT NETWORK, INC (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • TAN THANH BOOK & GIFT CO (Limited Business License)
  • THE WOODEN SPOON (Limited Business License)
  • TINA BEAUTY SALON (Limited Business License)
  • DOLLAR DEPOT (Limited Business License)