City In Review: Chicago

West Town · Then vs Now

West Town: 2024-10 vs 2025-10

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

2024-10 2025-10 Change
Building permits 109 123 +13%
Construction value ($) $25,882,642 $7,708,149 -70%
New business licenses 106 101 -5%
Business closings (proxy) 0 0
311 service requests 2,753 2,837 +3%
Reported crimes 768 678 -12%
Violent crimes 172 111 -35%
Failed food inspections 19 31 +63%

2024-10

West Town pulls 109 permits worth $25.9 million

West Town saw 109 permits in October, up 18.5% from September, with total value climbing to $25.9 million. Just over half came through the express program—51 permits fast-tracked for smaller jobs. Renovation work accounted for another 29 permits, while 15 covered new signage. Eight permits went to new construction projects. The month's dollar figure edged up 6.1% despite the rise in permit count, suggesting the bulk of activity stayed on the modest end.

2025-10

West Town permit value falls 85% to $7.7M

West Town issued 123 permits in October, roughly flat with September's 119, but their combined value dropped 85% to $7.7 million—down from $51 million the month before. Seventy-seven of the permits came through the express program, with another 24 for renovation work. No new business licenses or closures appeared in the data.

New businesses — 2024-10

  • BRIYO SKIN (Regulated Business License)
  • Tailored Honey (Limited Business License)
  • Starship Salon (Limited Business License)
  • IMPACT TOGETHER CONSULTING LLC (Regulated Business License)
  • HONORE WICKER PARK (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • TRIAL RUN (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • Maiztify (Shared Kitchen User (Long Term))
  • SKYLINE EXTERIORS LANDSCAPING & SNOW REMOVAL (Regulated Business License)
  • VINTAGE HOUSE CHICAGO (Pop-Up Retail User)
  • OLIO (Pop-Up Retail User)

New businesses — 2025-10

  • AESOP (Limited Business License)
  • Neybir (Limited Business License)
  • ZAYNA MEDITERRANEAN GRILL (Retail Food Establishment)
  • CRICKET WIRELESS (Limited Business License)
  • THE PHOTOBOOTH STRIP CLUB (Limited Business License)
  • Tri-Star Catering (Retail Food Establishment)
  • Homey (Limited Business License)
  • ATTACK TAEKWONDO INC. (Children's Services Facility License)
  • DUNKIN/BASKIN ROBBINS (Retail Food Establishment)
  • KERZEN STUDIO (Special Event Food)