May 14--As the Chicago Riverwalk expansion progresses, commuters and tourists alike will find many of the bars and tour boat and kayak services returning this season with the exception of a few businesses replaced by new spots to grab grub and wash it down with a cocktail while the city cashes in on the concessionaires.
Thirteen vendors ranging from a Tiki bar to a new mobile food cart -- a first for the Riverwalk -- will set up shop along the waterway later this month, Mayor Emanuel's office announced. A handful of the businesses had a soft opening last weekend. Last year, there were 14 vendors, including the Hideout, an outpost of the West Town bar that came to the scene mid-season, said mayoral spokeswoman Shannon Breymaier.
The mayor's office touted the success of Riverwalk vendors last season with gross revenues of more than $4.5 million, which is nearly four times more than the $1.2 million generated by vendors, excluding tour boats, in 2014, before the second phase was completed. The second phase, between State and LaSalle streets, opened last June.
The city gets a share of the revenues generated by the concessions and boat services and puts that money toward paying off the federal loan used for construction of the Riverwalk. Last year, the city collected nearly $396,000 from concession vendors and a sponsorship with Nike, in which they turned a barge into a floating gym in the winter, Breymaier said. In 2014, when the Chicago Park District managed the Riverwalk, more than $126,000was paid by five vendors to the Park District, she said. Today the city's Department of Fleet and Facility Management.
Crews are working to finish the final phase of the Riverwalk by fall and open sections known as the Water Plaza, the Jetty and the Boardwalk running from LaSalle Street west to Lake Street. The Riverwalk is currently open from Lake Shore Drive west to LaSalle Street.
Along the Riverwalk, those wanting to indulge their sweet tooth will be able to pick up cupcakes, cookies and brownies from the new dessert-only mobile food cart called Dulce in Horto. Another new spot is Tiny Hatt, a partnership between Tiny Lounge and Big Hatt Gourmet, which will take over the spot vacated by Flander's Belgian Beer Fries in the Cove section between Dearborn and Clark streets. Their neighbor Lillies is also a newbie that will sell grab-and-go food.
The vendors will operate officially from May 30 to Nov. 1.
Missing this season from the Riverwalk will be the Hideout, WanderBikes and Bike and Roll.
This year, vendors will pay a monthly fee for their location, and a percentage of their gross revenue at the end of the season will go to the city, Breymaier said.
The returning vendors serving up drinks and food, and for some, live music, are the Island Party Hut Tiki bar, Cyrano's Cafe Wine Bar, O'Brien's Riverwalk Cafe, and City Winery. Visitors will again be able to rent kayaks and bikes and board tour boats and water taxis this summer from the Riverwalk.
"Whether for recreation, entertainment or the pure pleasure of sitting outside and enjoying the waterfront, the Riverwalk is opening up more of the City for residents and visitors to enjoy," Emanuel said in a news release.
lvivanco@tribpub.com
