Broadway and Lawrence Avenue, where the Bridgeview Bank building stands. Photo: Warren LeMay from Chicago, IL, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Uptown’s business owners gathered this season in the domed rotunda of the Bridgeview Bank building at Broadway and Lawrence for the neighborhood’s annual holiday party. The bank hosted the event, decorated the space for the season and kept the bar open for guests.
The food came from the neighborhood itself. A long list of Uptown restaurants and shops contributed dishes and drinks, turning the evening into a tasting tour of the local dining scene.
Who brought what
Contributors included Agami Sushi, Broadway Grill, Broadway Supermarket, Ernie Constantino, Crew Bar + Grill, Fiesta Mexicana, Gigio’s Pizzeria, Hon Kee Restaurant, Inspiration Corp’s Cafe Too, Julie Mai, Magnolia Cafe, Marigold Restaurant, Rique’s Regional, Siam Cafe, Starbucks, Sun Wah Bar-B-Q and The Spot.
The mix says a lot about the neighborhood. Vietnamese and Chinese kitchens from the Argyle corridor sat alongside a modern Indian restaurant that opened on Broadway this year, a regional Mexican spot, a gay sports bar and a cafe that trains formerly homeless adults for kitchen jobs.
The value of a party
For many owners, events like this are the main chance to meet their counterparts on other blocks. A restaurateur on Argyle may never cross paths with an insurance agent on Wilson or a contractor on Montrose during the working year. A few hours in one room can lead to referrals, catering orders and shared projects.
Photos and a recap are expected in the business association’s winter newsletter in January.
Dana Ferraro covers property taxes, small business finance and the economy.
