Discover and connect with journalists and influencers around the world, save time on email research, monitor the news, and more.
Recent: |
|
Past: |
|
Long associated with gleaming office buildings, retail and throngs of workers and tourists, changes could be in store for downtown Chicago as it works to regain some of the bustle it lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. Empty offices and closed storefronts have put the vibrancy of downtown Chicago at stake. Almost 18% of downtown office space was vacant at the end of 2021, according to commercial… → Read More
While the new omicron variant could slow its rebound, business travel is expected to eventually return. While some local companies are eager to get back to their globe-trotting ways, others have realized they don’t need to be on the go as much as they used to be. → Read More
A company whose technology helps farmers markets handle online orders has opened its first bricks-and-mortar store in the Lincoln Park area. → Read More
Black Friday may not bring hordes of predawn deal hunters to stores the way it used to, but there’s still plenty of shopping expected to happen Thanksgiving weekend. → Read More
The city of Chicago is investigating allegations that Parlor Pizza Bar, with locations in West Town, Wicker Park and the Near North neighborhood, violated the city’s labor and anti-discrimination ordinances. → Read More
Rising wages and higher costs for ingredients like beef sent Portillo’s shares falling early this morning as the Chicago-based hot dog and Italian beef chain reported earnings for the first time since going public. → Read More
In the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, with restaurant dining rooms closed, chains counted on drive-thru and takeout business to survive. Now they’re doubling down — testing drive-thrus with double, triple or even quadruple lanes. → Read More
Foxtrot, the Chicago-based chain combining a cafe and upscale convenience store, plans to open in a second downtown landmark next year: Tribune Tower. → Read More
Chicago billionaire Ty Warner has chartered more than 150 cargo flights from China to avoid the shipping backlog at sea and get his Beanie Babies in stores for holiday shopping. → Read More
People renting cars for holiday trips may be in for some sticker shock. → Read More
McDonald’s is facing additional pressure over CEO Chris Kempczinski’s text message exchange with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, in which he appeared to blame the deaths of two Chicago children fatally shot earlier this year on their parents. → Read More
A judge denied United Airlines employees’ request to block the airline from placing employees exempt from its COVID-19 vaccine mandate on unpaid leave. → Read More
Looser restrictions for international travelers are expected to bring more overseas tourists back to cities like Chicago, but may increase airfares. → Read More
Consumers should expect to pay more for their Thanksgiving meal this year, and may run into shortages as supply chain woes hit the Chicago area. → Read More
Illinois’ newest Amazon Fresh grocery store lets shoppers walk out with their purchases, with no stop at checkout or high-tech shopping cart required. → Read More
Holiday traditions halted by the coronavirus pandemic last year, such as visiting Chicago’s Christkindlmarket or dining under the 45-foot-tall tree at Macy’s State Street store, are back this year. Many will still look a little different. → Read More
McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski on Tuesday addressed comments he made in a text exchange with Mayor Lori Lightfoot appearing to blame the parents of two Chicago children fatally shot earlier this year, saying his comments lacked “compassion and empathy.” → Read More
Chicago-based food tech company Nature’s Fynd plans to open a facility in the Back of the Yards as it launches its meatless breakfast patties and dairy-free cream cheese in stores, including Mariano’s. It’s one of two Chicago companies using fermentation to turn microbes from the fungi family into animal-free protein. → Read More
Even as the pandemic left some families skipping trick-or-treating last year, consumers bought more Halloween candy than ever. This year, treat sales are expected to be higher still, and some shoppers got an early start. → Read More
About three dozen McDonald’s workers and activists protested alleged sexual harassment outside the fast-food company’s headquarters in West Town. → Read More