It’s June—Turtle Splash is open—school is almost out—the Big Boy is coming. For the moment, it’s all about Main Street, where the first Mosaic Market will happen this Thursday, June 4.
In celebration, here’s a feature-style episode on a topic we have long struggled to understand: why has it been so hard, over the years, to get tenants into the buildings on Main Street? What are property owners thinking, and what are developers waiting for? What is the latest on the city’s efforts to sell off city-owned property?
We took walks with Kelley Chrisse, Business & Community Relations Director for the City of West Chicago, and Dan Czuba, owner of Daniel & Associates Real Estate, down Main Street past key spots to chat and get more context on this micro-economy that means so much to us.
Grab a margarita and an outdoor table at Coco Loco, and enjoy. And for even more tea on Main Street, visit the next meeting of the Downtown Revitalization Commission on Monday, June 22, at 6:00pm.
More on the downtown revitalization grant: The city launched the grant program in January 2025. with a total annual budget of $125,000. Grants are offered up to $75,000, and up to $100,000 for projects that preserve historically significant or landmarked buildings. As of May 2026, two grants have been given, totaling $86,557, both awarded in 2025. These went to Jose Oscar Muñoz (116 Main Street) and Randall M. Lellios (216-222 Main Street).
“Two additional projects have been discussed and are anticipated,” Kelley wrote to us in an email.
“The Economic Development Commission made the recommendation for the program budget and will be discussing the 2027 budget over the summer. The goal was to increase the budget for this program over time,” she added. “However, the program is largely funded by the General Fund until such time as the Downtown TIF generates sufficient revenues to cover the program budget.
More details on the downtown revitalization grant program here.
