Howard Meyer is our Chamber of Commerce member. Howard gave us an update of what is going on in Skokie. The Downtown Skokie Reinvented program is now complete with new sewers, electrical, data cables, wider sidewalks. There are now 17 restaurants in Downtown, as many as in Highwood. The Skokie Theater has a new owners. There is increased activity along the Dempster corridor with the theme of “58 Reasons to Shop Dempster”.  30,000 cars travel Dempster a day. Skokie is undertaking repaving 46 miles of side streets that it owns that will be funded by new sticker and gasoline taxes. Old Orchard is 100% occupied and is the major contributor to the property tax and sales tax income for the Village.

New businesses moving into Skokie soon include:  Super Walmart, Mariano’s, Citibank, PNC bank, Meijer’s, Longhorn, Taco Burrito King, Uncle Julio’s, Floor and Décor, Tilted Kilt, Anytime Fitness, Massage Envy. Some current businesses relocating or expanding include:  Pita Inn, Suikik, among others. There will be a groundbreaking for the Floral Avenue Development on the site of the Bowling Alley and Holiday Cleaners.

Remember Howard Meyer and the Skokie Chamber of Commerce when you hear your associates mention that they are looking to expand their networking opportunities.