Obama Center expects 70K visitors annually as local businesses are eager for promised economic boost

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The Obama Presidential Center's grand opening is less than one month away.

The museum and library are expected to bring tourists to the city, and businesses near the center are expecting a big boost. ABC7 spoke to business owners who say more customers means more jobs for Chicagoans.

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In the shadow of the Obama Center, many on the South Side are eager for that promised economic boost. A beautification project in Woodlawn is among the new jobs for MGE Property Solutions. The owner, Malki Brown, told ABC7 that with more development happening around the Obama Center, they are getting more clients and hiring more workers.

"That's what we're about, and that's who we try to partner with to create jobs in the community, and that's what Obama is doing; it's giving us an opportunity to share the wealth," Brown said.

Renovations are in progress on 71st Street for a new South Shore restaurant and other businesses. Efforts are underway to attract Obama Center tourists and encourage locals to spend locally instead spending outside of the area.

Tonya Trice, the executive director of the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, describes money leaving neighborhood as leakage.

"There is a revenue leakage in the South Shore community of $845 million annually. This is an opportunity to close that revenue gap by offering service and amenities that tourists would like to see," Trice said.

Choose Chicago reports tourists spend $20 billion annually. The Obama Center expects to have more than 700,000 visitors each year.

A mother-daughter duo opened a bookstore with other small business owners, sharing the storefront space on Stony Island and 69th. They call the space Pen & Paper: A Joint Creative. The business owners opened in 2024, knowing center was coming. They have been looking forward to the potential for new customers.

"There are now active tourists on the South Side. They aren't just staying downtown. They aren't staying in the Loop. They are actually able to experience the full city," said Courtney Woods with Pen & Paper: A Joint Creative.

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Along 53rd Street in Hyde Park, hotels are busy with bookings this summer, especially around the time when the center opens.

"We've been waiting for it for such a long time, so it's exciting to see it come to fruition, and we are just looking forward to meeting all the new guests from all around the world," said Sheinette Williams with Hyatt Place, Chicago South, University Medical Center.

At 63rd Street Beach, Reggie's on the Beach opens for another summer season. South Shore resident and Co-owner Robby Glick is looking forward to new folks discovering the South Side.

"It's going to bring a lot of people a lot of out-of-towners, and there is not a lot of choices to go for food, and I mean, look at this office. We have the best office in the city," Glick said.

It is unclear how much revenue new visitors to the Obama Center will bring to the area. But some are hopeful that the new tourists will come ready to ready to spend, and that could lead to more jobs on the South Side.