Open Illinois.org

The following letter provides a perfect example of how Chicago is driving out business because of its high sales tax, overall poor stewardship of finances, and lack of transparency about spending. Chicago needs to reform its policies, become more business-friendly, and transparent, or it will continue to lose people and business and end up needlessly destroying itself.

The letter below is from a great store, now closing because of Chicago’s outrageous sales tax and difficulty of doing business here:

Dear Valued Customers,

After 20 years I have decided to close Chicago Tennis & Golf. This has been a very difficult decision to say goodbye to the many long term customers, friends and vendors. Unfortunately, the nature of the retail business for the independent retailer has changed radically since our beginnings making it more and more difficult to remain profitable amidst: the economy, Chicago sales tax and the general costs of doing business. It has been an incredible journey from our modest beginnings on North and Sheffield in a trailer, to Fullerton when we added golf to the mix, and finally to the ever so easy to find Drake Avenue.

We will be closing for business permanently on September 21st. Effective immediately all our inventory will be marked at tremendous savings. The more you spend the more you save (details below). Prices apply to in stock merchandise only and savings are not retroactive on prior purchases. Please take advantage of these savings before we begin advertising to the general public.

I have enjoyed this business tremendously and want to thank all of you and my incredible staff for supporting us during these last 20 years.

Sincerely,
Corinne Pinsof-Kaplan
Owner

P.S. Please remember we are closed on Tuesdays