For over a century, the 47th Ward’s 9th Precinct has remained “dry.” That means that businesses within this small area of Ravenswood are unable to apply for liquor licenses. This restriction has limited growth for local establishments while neighboring precincts thrive with restaurants, taverns, and shops that can legally serve and sell alcohol. With the November 5 vote, residents of the 9th Precinct have a unique opportunity to open the door to more possibilities for small businesses by voting NO on prohibition.
Ending prohibition in Ravenswood would have a significant impact on local businesses like XOchimilco Mexican Restaurant (2030 W Montrose Ave). Owner Lucia Herrejon recently encountered this restriction firsthand when she applied for a liquor license. Herrejon says that revenue from alcohol sales would provide essential support during the winter months, a time when many local restaurants face significantly lower traffic.
“Anyone who owns a restaurant will definitely understand. You have to have a cushion from after those nice summer months when you have a full house to survive the slower winter months,” she recently told Block Club Chicago. “You have to have a little something to pull from so it doesn’t hurt as much.”
By allowing businesses like XOchimilco and nearby Giordano’s (2010 W Montrose Ave) to obtain liquor licenses, we can offer these neighborhood favorites a more stable path to success year-round. The change would also be hugely impactful for Small Cheval, which plans to open a new location at 2156 W Montrose Ave.
The 47th Ward’s 9th precinct is bounded by Montrose Ave to the south, Lincoln Ave and N Leavitt St to the west, Giddings St and Leland Ave to the north, and Damen Ave to the east.
The current restriction contrasts sharply with neighboring areas that embrace a vibrant mix of dining options. A more modern policy would allow Ravenswood to continue evolving as a community that supports local business growth. It would enhance customer experiences and allow our neighborhood to remain competitive with other parts of Chicago. 47th Ward Alderman Matt Martin is not opposing the change, noting that “the city has a variety of other tools at its disposal to oversee businesses with liquor licenses.” We also believe that the existence of these other oversight tools makes a restriction of this scale unnecessary.
Removing this century-old ban is a meaningful step toward supporting neighborhood businesses and creating a more sustainable, locally-focused economy in Ravenswood. If you live in the 47th Ward’s 9th Precinct, please consider voting NO on prohibition on Election Day.
For more on the history behind the ban, check out this article from Block Club Chicago. It features research from local librarian that tells the 100 year old tale of a beer baron who wanted to build an amusement park in what is now Welle’s Park.
