CHICAGO (FOX 32 News) -
With the NATO summit two-and-a-half weeks away, some popular Chicago restaurant owners have vastly different expectations for their businesses.
"There are always worries, but the city is doing a great job promot the NATO event," said Billy Lawless of The Gage. "There's going to be an influx of over 10,000 foreigners. The media has done a good job of creating a lot of fear about the whole weekend, but my bookings are on the rise so I am very positive."
At Gibson's steak house on Rush Street, they're expecting a full house -- about 450 diners -- each night of the 4-day NATO Summit weekend.
Manager Johnny Colletti told Fox Chicago News, "We've got a full boat going the whole weekend, as well as Sunday and Monday. Our business is based on locals. But the people from out of town just makes it a little crazier."
But at Keefer's on Kinzie, closer to expected protests and demonstrations, what seems crazy is the LACK of reservations, not even ONE, yet, for NATO's final day, Monday, May 21st.
Glenn Keefer, a managing partner at Keefer's told us "People are talking about leaving town. And they're talking about their office being closed and their boss saying, you know, 'Don't come to work that day!' Or for several days around it."
Glenn Keefer told us he's especially disappointed because a celebrated chef from Madrid, Spain, will work Keefer's kitchen for the NATO weekend. It's part of a promotion in which seven renowned chefs from around the world will prepare special dishes during the summit at seven Chicago restaurants.
City Hall's security consultants unveiled a website Tuesday they hope will soothe some local safety concerns. Businesses may sign up to get timely text messages and e-mails on summit-related developments and disruptions.
"We'll attempt to get every communication about road closures or temporary blockage out immediately. So that's a real time process," said Arnette Heintz.
