After a dispute with city inspectors forced Arturo Venegas, proprietor of Robert’s Fish Market, 2916 W. Devon, to remove his distinctive awning, JNDC helped him regain his iconic look.

While Arturo continued to cut the finest filets at Chicago’s only kosher fish store, JNDC worked through the maze of details, partnering with the Rogers Park Business Alliance to obtain special funding, securing estimates and signatures, and obtaining permits in the application process with assistance from 50th Ward Alderman Debra Silverstein and her staff.

In an article in The Forward, Arturo said that the sign being down for more than a year hurt business.

Customers driving east on Devon wouldn’t see the sign, so they’d drive right past him. “They would drive all the way to Broadway,” said Venegas. “They’d call me and ask, ‘did you move?’ And I’d say, ‘No, we are still here.’” That’s when JNDC stepped in to help.

Since Robert’s got the new sign up, old – and even new — customers have found him. “Business has increased,” said Venegas, relieved, grateful and busy.