Greektown, Chicago

Today, Greektown consists mostly of restaurants and businesses, although a cultural museum[1] and an annual parade and festival[2] still remain in the neighborhood.

[4] Almost a decade later, in 1882, a group of nearly one thousand Greek immigrants resided in Chicago's Near North Side area.

[5] The original Greektown district on Halsted Street began with the Jane Addams Hull House, which acted as a meeting point for the Greek population within Chicago and provided a basis for community to be built from 1889.

The stated aim of the festival is to combine "old world traditions with 21st century freshness" in the Greek cuisine, through the use of local neighborhood food producers and vendors.

[12] The Greektown neighborhood organization also offer various events which occur on a more regular basis, such as monthly Greek dancing classes.

[10] The prominent cultural site within the Greektown precinct is the National Hellenic Museum, situated on 333 South Halsted street.

[14] The Greektown district began an urban renewal process on December 1, 2017, by conducting surveys, interviews and reviews amongst local businesses and community members.

[10] The overarching purpose behind the publication of a strategic plan is to outline a clear path for continued economic sustenance for the Greektown district, while ensuring that the heritage and cultural significance for the Greek community is not diminished.

It is a 123-page document, outlining intentions to enhance Greektown as a "compelling cultural destination and vibrant business district.

"[10] The report also states its intended methods to achieve these goals, including storefront and façade decoration enhancements, as well as prioritizing various action items in order to increase public engagement with the precinct, such as the introduction of a year long calendar, detailing planned events and promotions within the precinct.

The National Hellenic Museum in Greektown, Chicago
Outside of the restaurant Greek Islands , blue pots painted with famous Greek patterns, such as the Greek key, adorn the sidewalks of Greektown.
The local Walgreens is ornamented with the addition of Greek translations on the storefront signs.
Ancient Greek architecture style monument marks the edge of Greektown. The monument sits in front of the Eisenhower Expressway .
Ancient Greek Archetictural style monument marks the beginning of Greektown. It sits at the corner of Halsted and Monroe and is decorated by art from the local Greek Orthodox church's youth.
Restaurants at Greektown, Chicago
Flaming Saganaki was invented at the Parthenon Restaurant in Chicago's Greektown. [ 7 ] [ 8 ] [ 9 ]