About Us
Since our establishment in 1971, OTMRA has served as the voice of the Old Town community advocating city services for businesses and residents. Working in partnership with our local aldermen, the OTMRA addresses issues concerning development in the neighborhood, streetscape maintenance, business development, and promotion of the neighborhood as a destination in Chicago. The OTMRA also hosts regular social events, informational workshops, business roundtables, and the Wells Street Art Festival every June.
Commercial Retention & Attraction Strategy
Our goal is to continue Old Town’s evolution as a safe and vibrant location to live, work and laugh. Our efforts are centralized around the popular Wells Street commercial corridor, an area flush with varied businesses and services including: retailers, health/wellness services, bars and restaurants, comedy clubs, independent theatre and community organizations. Wells Street is a designated bike corridor as well, with painted lanes in both directions.
We are proud to be the home of the world-renown Second City improv theatre, Zanies Comedy Club, A Red Orchid Theatre, the Chicago History Museum, historic St. Michael’s Church and many more popular attractions.
Follow us on social media:
Neighborhood Safety Strategy
The Old Town Merchants & Residents Association maintains a consistent dialogue with the local police district in order to ensure residents, businesses and visitors are assured a safe and secure experience in Old Town. Additionally, the local Special Service Area — SSA 48 Old Town — provides weekend on-street security service to supplement the efforts of our district police officers. Combined, this provides the order and eyes necessary to help Old Town thrive.
Neighborhood Business Development Centers (NBDC)
The NBDC Program program provides grants to Chicago-based chambers of commerce and business support organizations, to assist in the development of small businesses in Chicago, serve as liaison between local businesses and the City of Chicago, and provide neighborhood business development services. Learn more about the NBDC services the OTMRA provides here.
City of Chicago Small Business Center (SBC)
The Small Business Center (SBC) is the business licensing division of the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the City’s “ONE-STOP-SHOP” for business licensing, public way use permitting, and connecting entrepreneurs to business resources. Learn more about the SBC services the City of Chicago provides here.
Who We Are
PRESIDENT
James Dattalo
The Fudge Pot
1ST VICE PRESIDENT
Patrick Shaughnessy
Orso’s Restaurant
VICE PRESIDENT
Giulia Sindler
Kamehachi
CHAIRMAN
Pam Farley
Old Town Pub/Marge’s Still
TREASURER
Kristan Vaughan
Vaughan Hospitality
SECRETARY
Sara Plocker
Sara Jane
DIRECTORS
Christopher Donovan
The House of Glunz/Glunz Tavern
Callum Seadon
Cal’s Corner/The Rabbit Hole
Lori Allen
Resident
Margaret Comer
Resident
John Rosanova
Benchmark/Four Corners
Michele Dreczynski
Near North Unity Project
Tim Egan
Resident
Ashley Geisheker
Resident
Brian Hicks
Zanies
Ariel Kerman
Kerman Enterprises
Julie Lampert
Resident
Chad Novak
Fireplace Inn
Chris Ryan
The Rabbit Hole
Patrick Shaughnessy
Resident
Liz Wontor-Leach
Franklin Fine Arts School
Executive Director
Marcy Huttas
SSA #48 Manager
Colleen Sweeney
Marketing & Design
Bailey Bautista-Buckingham
Marc Kadish
Resident
Bob Block
Resident
David Dattalo
The Fudge Pot
Kirsten Fitzgerald
A Red Orchid Theatre
Agnese Milito
Orso’s Restaurant
Frank Milito
Resident
Judith Erwin
Resident
Peter O’Brien
Mado Management
Jennifer Tremblay
O’Briens Restaurant
Meghan O’Brien-Williams
MADO Healthcare
Mary Quincannon
At Properties
Chris Lardakis
Kanela
Brian Hopkins
2nd Ward Alderman
Walter Redmon Burnett, Jr
27th Ward Alderman
Margaret Croke
State Rep (IL-12th)
Sara Feigenholtz
State Senator (IL-6th)