Chicago Grant Park vendors Pie Life, Chicago Bike Boutique say special events like NASCAR, Taste of Chicago harm business
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CHICAGO (WLS) — As the summer season wraps up, some of Grant Park’s vendors and concessionaires may not be back next year.

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The owners say increased special events and festivals are causing them to lose business.

The Chicago Classic Dog is always a big seller at Pie Life, owner Bill Prahofer has operated his business out of a Park District building in Grant Park for 13 years.

Prahofer said sales were good during the early years, especially when he got a liquor license, but not anymore.

“It’s just not working out. I’m already kind of taking the loan to get going. It’s just time to call it quits,” Prahofer said.

Prahofer said he is calling it quits because the park continues to close down for big special events.

He said he loses money not only during the event, but every time there is a set up and tear down.

This year, the summer was stacked with SueƱos, NASCAR Street Race, Lollapalooza and next up is the Taste of Chicago.

“The constant construction here, like nobody wants to be here. It’s just, I mean, you still get some traffic, but it’s just decreased. Once Columbus has closed, our business is cut in half,” Jessica Korbe, the owner of Chicago Bike Boutique.

Korbe said her business is down 60% this year. She sells homemade souvenirs, shirts, keys chains and sunglasses, out of a bike converted into a cart.

She pays a seasonal fee to the Park District to operate out of Grant Park.

Prahofer said he pays monthly rent and he says the Park District will not reduce it for closed days.

In a statement, the Park District says it has increased its collaboration with vendors to support their businesses.

“It’s basically like you’re renting an apartment, and then your landlord is Airbnb-ing it, you know, so you’re still paying the same rent all summer, but meanwhile, you get kicked out of your apartment,” Prahofer said.

Prahofer said the fine print in the contract says from time to time your business may be affected.

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