ELMHURST CITY CENTRE Truly Means Business

BY CHUCK FIELDMAN | PHOTOS BY VICTOR HILITSKI

It speaks volumes about Elmhurst City Centre that membership is by choice, yet more than 250 businesses have chosen to join the organization.

The mission of Elmhurst City Centre is simple and to the point: to make the downtown a destination for consumers through concerted efforts in marketing and special events, physical appearance standards and improvements, and business retention and recruitment.

“It’s important to the community because we can do more together than individual merchants can do alone,” said Christy Sopko, Elmhurst City Centre coordinating director. “We’re always looking for ways to promote the downtown business district and looking to create a special experience for people who come here.”

Elmhurst City Centre has a Board of Directors along with a staff that includes Sopko, Executive Director Tom Paravola and maintenance supervisor Rob Bohn.

Along with special events and promotions, Elmhurst City Centre provides enhanced area beautification and additional snow removal, beyond what is provided by the City.

“We want to keep the downtown looking good,” Sopko said. “It’s kind of like an outdoor shopping mall, and more than half of our members are service providers.”

Along with the service providers, Elmhurst City Centre members run the gamut from retail stores selling a large variety of different items to restaurants that offer all types of food.

Some of the upcoming events on the Elmhurst City Centre calendar are:

Spring Scavenger Hunt: 100 Plush Ducks and their colorful umbrellas are hidden throughout City Centre merchant windows from March 24 through April 30

Wednesday Nights Live: Some of the region’s best cover bands perform every Wednesday night in the North York Plaza, starting June 7.

The Rock the Block Party, Sept. 8-9

Sopko said the Rock the Block party, always held the weekend after Labor Day, is the largest annual event presented by Elmhurst City Centre and attracted about 27,000 people to its most recent happening.

Diana Payne, a life-long Elmhurst resident and market manager for Gia Mia restaurant, 116 E. Schiller St., is a big fan of Elmhurst City Centre.

“I can confidently say that the Elmhurst City Centre has made a huge impact on the reputation of our beloved city,” Payne said. “Their events, like the Boo-tiful Saturday and Rock the Block have developed a following that reaches far beyond Elmhurst, and their widespread marketing efforts provide the local businesses with an opportunity to reach new faces that may have been beyond our individual means.”

Payne said she also believes the reputation built from Elmhurst City Centre events helps to put Elmhurst on the map for prospective residents.

Scott Lewandowski, general manager of Fitness Formula Clubs Elmhurst, 140 N. Addison Ave., also is a fan of Elmhurst City Centre. “The staff creatively attract the Elmhurst residents and neighboring communities to our downtown area through their marketing and programming,” he said. “Their efforts bring customers to our businesses and create a great energy in downtown Elmhurst.”

Lewandowski said his business has been an active participant in the scavenger hunts, Rock the Block, Boo-tiful Saturday candy distribution and crafts, and gift card promotion. He noted that the homepage of the Elmhurst City Centre website currently is promoting fitness centers in the area with a “Sweat it Out at City Centre” campaign. “This has increased the number of guests coming to our facility in January,” Lewandowski said.

Elmhurst City Centre is a Special Service Area of the city, meaning that taxes are paid by business to fund the organization’s expenses. Sopko said she believes Elmhurst City Centre has a very positive future. “I think we’re here to stay,” she said. “We always try to keep our finger on what’s going on and look for new ways to help our businesses. In the short term, we’ll hang on to things that work.”■

Mama Maria’s

Restaurant & Pizzeria is an Elmhurst eatery which has been serving quality pizzas & pastas since 1982. It was one of the first pizzerias in this area to offer a panzerotti.

They’ve also made a name for thincrust pizzas, specialty items such as a white pizza topped with artichokes & basil & a full line of Italian pastas.

You can choose to dine in, takeout or have your food delivered.

Hours: Mon – Thurs 4pm – 9pm; Fri & Sat 4pm – 10pm; Sun 2pm – 9pm

BY SCOTT JONLICH | PHOTOS BY VICTOR HILITSKI

graphed guitars and other memorabilia, among other ideas.”

“And, last, but not least, I know people in the world of music whom I can help bring to Elmhurst. I have a commitment from Jefferson Starship to perform on opening night.” ecently, Cathy Richardson, the lead singer for Jefferson Starship, who also happens to live in Elmhurst, has joined the Board of Directors for the Elmhurst Centre For Performing Arts,

This big news is just in time as the Board embarks on a shift in its fund-raising effort with an April 15 Gala. As ECPA Board Member Laura Michaud puts it, “Cathy sees ECPA’s potential and needs through the lens of a top-level artist, and we are delighted to have her.”

In a recent Elmhurst Magazine exclusive interview, Cathy elaborated, “I have been extremely fortunate to perform all over the world and I have come to understand what a venue should offer to performers, and what a venue should offer to audiences. I also think I can help in fundraising, certainly by performing; and by offering auctions of auto-

“All in all, I love the idea of what ECPA can mean to the community, and to the considerable talent in this town.”

In speaking further with Laura Michaud, a founder of Chicago performing arts venue, Stage 773, she gave us this perspective: “For decades, many attempted initiatives took place in support of the arts in Elmhurst to establish a venue for performing arts. Certainly, the talent is here: Elmhurst Symphony, the Elmhurst Children’s Theater, Elmhurst University Jazz Band, DuPage Dance Studio, and award-winning York High School musical shows, among others, provide a steady stream of talented local people to perform. The problem has been a lack of a venue. Groups have been predominantly performing in churches, schools, even bars.”

”So, in 2016, in discussions with several interested artists, business people, and an architect, we formed a Board and began our initiative for the “Elmhurst Centre For Performing Arts”.

“After much work and many studies ensuring viability, land for ECPA was secured in 2019 on 1st Avenue. It is in the heart of Elmhurst’s City Centre and just steps away from the Elmhurst train station, making it easy for people in the surrounding areas to attend.”

“Aside from myself, the Board includes architect Jeff Budgell, as Chairman, Doug Peterson, President of Chicago Records Management, CPA Cheryl Peterson, Rebecca Marianetti, Head of Theater and Choral Activities, York High School, Mark Hale, of Wintrust Bank, former Mayor Tom Marcucci, as an honorary board member, Cathy Richardson and more.”

“After the lull of the pandemic between 2019 and 2022, the momentum is back and the timing is right. Not only do we have Cathy, but we have other board members who also have a passion for the arts and a desire to help fundraise. We have added Nicole Alvarez, a lawyer who has a huge interest in dance, Monica Shah, a professional project manager for a major consulting company, and Francis Pepitone, a marketing specialist who recently moved from Chicago, and loves live theatre.”

The City of Elmhurst, along with ECPA, have shared expenses for multiple studies on the economic impact on the city, and the financial feasibility of the centre. The latest Economic impact study has estimated that for every person attending an ECPA event, the nearby business community gains $60 in revenue. She adds, “ECPA meets with city officials and Mayor Scott Levin on a regular basis.”

“We have even created a video to illustrate what could be possible.” (Go to www.ecpa-elmhurst.org to see the video.)

She says, “Timing is better now, too. There’s always been interest in the arts in the western suburbs and it is even better now with the demographic shift we have seen over the last 10 years. Newer residents, from Chicago, enjoy and live in downtown Elmhurst. Many of these couples, empty nesters, and singles are also interested in the arts. ECPA will add to the downtown ‘vibe’”.

“Johnson Consulting, an international hospitality consulting firm, confirmed that ECPA should incorporate a rehearsal space to match the size of the actual stage, a great help for dance groups. In addition, the venue will be able to accommodate conventions, and meetings as well as performances.”

Michaud adds, “As a result of all these factors coming together, we are preparing to unveil a capital fundraising campaign in 2023. This is a big turning point for us and we kick it off with our Spotlight Gala on April 15th and a new location. It will be taking place at River Forest Country

Club. Tickets are $200 per person for drinks, dinner and dancing. The Gala will feature The Elmhurst University Jazz Band and The Men of Spirito.”

For tickets and more information, go to https://www.ecpa-elmhurst.org. ■

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