What is "Dining on the 5"?

This isn't something I've taken advantage of, but it's great that the Greater Chatham Initiative is getting publicity for this. "Dining on the 5" is the subject of an article for the hyperlocal Block Club Chicago. The article is about dining on 75th Street - which over the years is known as Black Wall Street or Renaissance Row.

The potential here as I think was noted here on this blog, 75th Street could become a culinary, entertaining, or nightlife center. There are a number of restaurants or eateries on 75th, perhaps there's an opportunity there that the community should take advantage of. Perhaps "Dining on the 5" is key.

What is "Dining on the 5"?

Six of the strip’s most popular restaurants are offering discounts and outdoor seating to customers who come in through July 23.

“There are 77 neighborhoods in Chicago, and in greater Chatham we have four neighborhoods,” Greater Chatham Initiative director Nedra Sims Fears said. “We have to get our name out there to get our name recognition out there and have people come and visit us, and having an event like ‘Dining on the 5’ attracts people from all over.”

Fears said “Dining On The 5” started last year as a pilot program with help from the city’s Department of Transportation and Dept. of Planning.

Rebranding Chatham is at the core of organizing the event, Fears said. At previous events, people have traveled from as far as Ohio and Indiana.

The participating establishments:

• Original Soul Vegetarian, 205 E. 75th
• Lem’s Bar-B-Q, 311 E. 75th
• Mabe’s Deli, 312 E. 75th
• Brown Sugar Bakery, 328 E. 75th
• 5 Loaves Eatery, 405 E. 75th
• Flammin Restaurant, 641 E. 75th

Ahhhh very interesting line-up and dine on some Lem's on the sidewalk or grab a baked good from Brown Sugar - never been BTW. Better yet another establishment I've never eaten at get some chicken from 5 Loaves.

Either way there's an opportunity here. Can 75th attract more than locals and become a culinary, entertainment, or nightlife center for the south side?