Business
From Coconut Drinks to Cheezborgers, Chicago Businesses Hoping to Capitalize on DNC Crowds
Businesses around the United Center are used to serving throngs of customers during game days and concerts, but they’re hoping to score even higher sales with the Democratic National Convention in town.
Froth is a cocktail-inspired coffee shop in the West Loop, just a 12-minute walk from the United Center. Owner Michael Salvatore is hoping to get foot traffic from the DNC and said the shop is serving up a special cold brew in coconuts all week — referencing the viral Kamala Harris meme in which she asks, “You think you just fell out of a coconut tree?”
The quote has gone viral, and the coconut theme is now generating buzz in Chicago.
“I think I saw someone on Twitter say something, and it was retweeted, about, like, whoever’s near the convention should be making coconut drinks, and I said you’re f---ing right,” Salvatore said. “We only get a week of this, so we really want to showcase what we can do and who we are and celebrate our staff and the people here in Chicago.”
Right next to the United Center, Mexican restaurant Su Taqueria El Rey Del Taco has been bracing for this week’s impact.
“The owner actually went out … and he bought a grill so they could have, like, a fast taco stand and burrito stand right away so people can get in and out,” said Carla Franco, one of the restaurant’s employees.
The family-run business is located near the vehicle security checkpoint, a high-traffic area that Franco said staff is excited to experience.
Billy Goat Tavern owner Paul Sianis said the restaurant’s Madison Street location opened a year before the 1996 DNC.
“I think we’ll be ready,” Sianis said. “We do a lot of high-volume events, you know, we have a lot of the United Center events, Bulls and Blackhawks, concerts, so we are ready to handle crowds.”
The Chicago staple — known for its cheezborgers — has long been a political hot spot. Take one look at the wall, and it will take you through memory lane.
“We’ve had presidents from both sides come in,” Sianis said. “I think it’s a good representation from the city to be at Billy Goat, and we hope that people from all over the nation come to experience it.”
