Gang War Rumors Hurt South Side Businesses, Owners Say

Norman Parish | As of Wednesday, November 18, 2015

The perception of a gang war is hurting businesses along 79th Street in Chicago, said a group of Chatham area business owners.

“Rumors and violence is helping to destroy business,” said Victor Love, president of the 79th Street Business Corridor Association.

Love was joined by several businessmen to discuss the problem at a news conference last week at his family’s eatery Captain Hard Times, 436 E. 79th St.

Nearly 10 businesses have left the area in the last year, he said.

“No one wants to put their customers in danger and come in a high risk area,” Love said.

At the same time, he said his business is safe.

“We have not had a customer robbed, shot or anything like that,” Love said. “We have been here for 29 years.”

The latest rumor began after gossip about gang retaliation went viral on social media.

The violence was supposed to be tied to the Nov. 2 slaying of Tyshawn Lee, a 9-year-old.

Chicago Police officials, however, denied any such rumors.

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Melinda Kelly, executive director of the Chatham Business Association, said perceptions of violence recently kept Chicago area businesses from receiving items from vendors.

“The reality is people are dying,” said Melinda Kelly, executive director of the Chatham Business Association. “People for whatever reason are hurting each other. . . People of the same color have been killing each other.”

 As a result, vendors have been reluctant to bring supplies to some businesses, Kelly said.

“The last thing you want to do is cut off a community because of perception,” Kelly said. “The effects can be devastating.”

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