http://www.chicagojournal.com/main.asp? ... M=82908.44

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Mexican consulate move produces a business boom
Restaurants, churches see a surge in activity near Jackson and Ashland

By KATHERINE BOYLE, Medill News Service

Wednesday, April 19, 2006


Ever since the Mexican Consulate moved to the West Loop two years ago, restaurants, parking garages, and even the church across the street have seen a marked increase in business.

"[The consulate] brings in crowds on a daily basis," Dustin Reyes, a cashier at nearby Bombon Cafe, 38 S. Ashland, said. "There really isn’t anything else around that would bring people in."

In February 2004 the consulate moved to 204 S. Ashland Ave. from its location at 300 N. Michigan Ave. The consulate, which assists Americans and Mexican nationals with visas and legal matters, and works with U.S. Customs officials, currently employs more than 70 people.

The move, which brought the consulate closer to heavily Mexican areas of the city, was reportedly also triggered by a need for a bigger facility.

Reyes said the consulate "definitely" had an influence in Bombon’s decision to open the cafe in its current location last September. The yellow-walled restaurant features a glass bakery case with assorted cakes and tarts. On the menu are a variety of dishes from Latin American countries.

"It brings in a lot of people, [and] they bring their families," said Reyes, who has been working at the cafe since its opening.

Another of the consulate’s close neighbors, Cafe Penelope at 230 S. Ashland Ave., has seen an increase in business as well as a change in its clientele.

"The restaurant gets more business [with the consulate here]," said Becky Church, who has been a waitress and cashier at the cafe for four years.

"The area was kind of dead before. It’s just growing as a neighborhood [in general]."

She added that, in some ways, the consulate has had a mixed effect on business. "[Customers from the consulate] take all the parking. We can’t complain. We still get business, but now it’s all from the consulate."

The Church of the Epiphany, which has been at 201 S. Ashland Ave. since 1885, became involved with the consulate after it moved to the area. The church and the consulate have partnered on outreach projects, including a food program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Some church members also participated in the March 10 march downtown for immigrant rights.

The consulate has been "really fun to work with and really easy to work with," said the Rev. Meigan N. Cameron, a minister at the church. "There are a lot of really fun businesses on the street now by and large because of the consulate."

She said the West Loop has seen a marked increase in foot traffics during her two years at the church.

"There are a lot more people in the street. Some people think that’s good. Some people think that’s bad," Cameron added. "It’s an urban area. There’s probably less crime with more people. There is a lot more congestion in terms of parking, but you expect that with any major business [like the consulate]."

Other area workers and residents said they’re happy the consulate is bringing in business, but are less thrilled with the accompanying increase in traffic.

"In the morning it’s almost impossible to pass [the consulate]," said Marianne Matos, 44, who works with elevator constructors at Teamster City, 300 S. Ashland. "There’s double-parking every day."

Traffic at the Standard Parking Garage at 1640 W. Jackson Blvd. has increased as well, Matos added.