Publications & Sites 
Letters to Editor
Updated: January 23, 2012 8:17AM
Skokie should think out of the box for business
One insight to the downtown development is the realization that the current mix is mainly professional services from dentists to day care. They tend to draw older settled people or young struggling types from the near-by apartments. So, promote them as a Service Corridor.
Another combination to develop is the Entertainment Connection. The Skokie Theatre needs development. It is a hard nut to crack, but does have potential. Another draw is a brewpub. The Desiree Restaurant site has lots of vacant space and parking. I know the fears of the Prohibition-era stigma in Skokie, but that could be turned into a historic hook, especially with the Desiree architecture.
The art fair and farmer’s market are good draws, but they need to develop links to the existing businesses through coupons, signage, product placement.
Promote the bike path/greenway development. Biking/hiking people are apt to want to stop for refreshments and to be patronizing small businesses and services in downtown.
If street architecture is really wanted, think about street islands. They are being used as a part of city scape in some areas. Built on a modular base, they are parking space decks for easy outdoor dining, easy to move as businesses change, and for snow removal. Seasonally they act as a village porch, with benches, tables for outdoor dining, room for street sales, and serve as sites for popcorn venders, street performers, or other concessions.
They would say Skokie is on the move.
Janice Cook, President
WIRING INC, Skokie
