Edgewater’s retail/commercial vacancies started 2016 on a continued very positive note, according to Paul Foley, a board member of the Edgewater Development Corp.

The 1st quarter vacancy rate was 6.2 percent, well below the 1st quarter rate of 7.4 percent in 2015.

The City of Chicago rate is 7.8 percent for the 1st quarter of 2016. The City of Chicago’s 1st quarter rate in 2015 is unknown, Foley said.

A total of 25 new businesses opened in Edgewater during the 1st quarter of 2016, Foley said. Compare this to 6 in 2015’s 1st quarter and 54 for the entire 2015. All are very positive trends, Foley added.

Additionally, 16 businesses, which will be coming soon, have signed leases in Edgewater as of March 31, 2016. According to Foley, this is an all-time high.

Other results show that developments remained stable at 12 projects.

The 25 new businesses include:

• Treshold, 1147 W. Balmoral

• A 2 B productions, Elda De La Rosa Designs, 1055 W. Bryn Mawr

• Aart Werk, 1141 W. Granville

• Photo Studio, 5628 N. Broadway

• DeFloured Bakery,1477 W. Balmoral

• Pride Realty, 5636 N. Broadway

• Hearts Renamed, 5638 N. Broadway

• Cygneture Woodworks,1210 W. Thorndale

• (Two businesses with one address entry door but two doors and two separate rooms are Immediate Tax Service, 6333 N. Clark; and Cell Tech Service, 6333 N. Clark.)

• Fit Body Boot Camp, 5430 N. Clark

• Any Time Fitness, 1344 W. Devon

• Edge Theater, 5451 N. Broadway

• Skywalker Shoes, 5668 N. Clark

• Orlando Salon, 5975 N. Clark

• Chrystal Christo, 6553 N. Broadway

• Sunah Smoke Shop, 1219 W. Devon

• Sophisticated Beauty Studio,1337 W. Devon

• ‘SKM Grocery, 1455 W. Devon

• Little Kiddies Day Care, 1501 W. Devon

• Middle East Bakery & Grocery Café, 5200 N. Clark

• Allstate Insurance, 5239 N. Clark

• Francesca’s Collection & Boutique, 5301 N. Clark

• Verizon, 5936 N. Broadway

• Pharma Script, 5437 N. Broadway

Additionally, the 16 signed leases include:

• Chicago Filmmakers, 5714 N. Ridge

• Sulejmani Restaurant, 1248-54 W. Devon

• Flaco’s Tacos, 1116-20 W. Granville

• Lady Bug Daycare, 5427 N. Broadway

• Income Tax Bar & Restaurant, 5957 N. Broadway

• Cozy Corner, 6349 N. Clark

• Sprint, 5411 N. Broadway

• Growling Rabbit, coffee shop and restaurant, 5938 N. Broadway

• Dunkin’ Donuts, 1117 W. Granville

• Baker & Nash, 5600 N. Ridge

• Ram Art Studio, 6054 N. Broadway

• Middle East Restaurant, 1103 W. Bryn Mawr

• Co Working Center, 5940 N. Sheridan

• Kanela Breakfast Club, 5413 N. Clark

• Goddess Grocery, 5318 N. Clark

• Italian Ice/Pop Corn, 1050 W. Bryn Mawr

These numbers were compiled by the Edgewater Development Corp., a not-for-profit organization that seeks to fill all retail/commercial vacancies and enhance the economic development of the community.

For more information, contact Foley at the EDC.