4-Mar-18 – Six vendors will stick with the Chicago Riverwalk for at least the next ten years.

The Chicago City Council approved the longer contract terms last Wednesday. The ten-year deals went to vendors “making significant capital improvements and expanding their operations and offerings,” according to Mayor Rahm Emanuel. Each agreement has two possible extensions for five years at a time.

“Further developing the Chicago Riverwalk will transform our downtown area and help to make the river the next great recreational frontier of the City of Chicago,” said Emanuel.

Businesses approved for ten-year agreements include a new vendor, Northman on the River, which will offer food and beverages – specializing in cider – on the west side of Columbus Drive. (Left) Glasses of cider at The Northman’s main location at 4337 North Lincoln Avenue.

Urban Kayaks & Cantina will add food and beverage to its kayak rentals and guided tours.

Island Party Hut will offer island-themed food and beverage, along with charter boat rentals.

On the west side of State Street, City Winery returns this year with an expanded food and drink menu, and will continue to present live music.

Tiny Tapp and its café and market returns with food, beverage, and merchandise between Dearborn and Clark Streets.

Frost Gelato will offer gelato, milkshakes, and other desserts between LaSalle Drive and Wells Street.

Vendors approved to operate for three-year terms include Chicago Brewhouse, taking over space below Wabash Avenue that had previously been the Riverwalk location of The Hideout, operating for a few months in 2015. Chicago Brewhouse will specialize in microbrews made in Chicago.

(Right) Peter Cunningham and the Bread and Butter Band performs on October 11, 2015, at The Hideout’s then-new location on the Chicago Riverwalk.

Also returning this year will be O’Brien’s Riverwalk Café, Downtown Docks, and Wendella’s Chicago Water Taxi service.

22 businesses responded to a request for proposals due in March 2017. The proposals were reviewed over the past year. Mayor Emanuel announced in January the city would issue new ten-year contracts.