Posted: September 29, 2023, 11:06h.
Last Updated: September 29, 2023, 11:06h.
An Opportunity Lost as Chicago Card Club President Predicts Business Damage Due to Migrant Shelter
In a disheartening turn of events, the owner of Chicago’s newly opened Card Club believes that his business will face significant setbacks due to the conversion of parts of the building into a shelter for migrants.
The Chicago Card Club recently debuted on the first floor of a five-story building situated on 344 North Ogden Ave. It features a card lounge and retail space dedicated to related merchandise.
Thomas De Boer, the President of the Chicago Card Club, revealed that migrants began occupying a section of the 50,000-square-foot establishment earlier this month, a change that will unquestionably impact his bottom line.
“It’s going to destroy our business,” expressed De Boer in an interview with Chicago TV station WFLD. “It’s going to destroy our hopes and dreams.”
De Boer continued, sharing his distraught feelings, “It’s devastating. After dedicating so much time and personal funds to establish a business, the landlord’s decision to undermine it is disheartening.”
Significant Renovations Worth $100K
Prior to its grand opening, the card club invested approximately $100K in renovations, including the installation of new floors, counters, and walls.
“We first became aware of the planned migrant shelter about a month ago,” De Boer disclosed to WFLD last Friday.
Renovation efforts to accommodate the shelter began earlier this month, with migrants taking up residence in the building just two weeks ago.
“Everything has transpired at lightning speed,” added De Boer.
Unfortunately, none of our customers feel comfortable returning,” explained De Boer further. “It’s an unsafe environment, with dozens of people loitering outside from day one. Our customers are reluctant to subject themselves to that.”
In his conversation with WFLD, De Boer revealed that he intends to file a lawsuit against the landlord in hopes of recovering the funds invested in improving the space.
Scott Goodman, a Chicago-based developer, has been identified in news reports as one of the co-owners of the building.
Casino.org has reached out to Goodman for comment, but no immediate response has been provided.
The building is located in Chicago’s West Loop district, in close proximity to the popular Fulton Market neighborhood. Historically an industrial section of the city, it has transformed into an entertainment and dining hub, featuring numerous upscale bars.
City officials have been exploring various neighborhoods to find suitable locations for housing migrants awaiting asylum proceedings.
According to WLS, more than 15,000 migrants have been transported by bus from the southern border to Chicago since August 2022.
Some migrants have resorted to sleeping on sidewalks, while over 1,500 individuals have been lodging in police station lobbies. Presently, more than 9,200 migrants are staying in city shelters, with some even seeking refuge within O’Hare International Airport.
A Steady Stream of Migrants
As reported by local online news outlet Block Club Chicago, 27 buses carrying migrants arrived in Chicago from the Mexican border between Saturday and Thursday. Each bus accommodates approximately 50 passengers.
Efforts are underway to find suitable temporary accommodations for the incoming migrants by Chicago officials.
Our ultimate objective is to be a welcoming city, ensuring the best possible reception for those who arrive,” stated Beatriz Ponce De Leon, Chicago’s deputy mayor for Migrant, Immigrant, and Refugee Rights, in an interview with WLS.
The influx of millions of migrants into the United States, particularly from the southern border with Mexico, has sparked controversy nationwide.
Communities are debating the issue of migrant housing and suitable locations for resettlement.