Owning a business comes with many benefits. However, it can also come with potential drawbacks and risks. Your store is subject to break-ins, but there are steps you can take to prevent theft.

Here are ten steps to ensure your storefront doesn’t get broken into.

Locks

Choosing locks may be your first step to ensure store security. Locks have different varieties, such as deadbolts, commercial-grade and high-tech. The location of your store may affect your decision, too. If your property has had a history of break-ins, you may want to invest in higher-grade options. Your locks will act as the first line of defense.

Security Systems

Around 2.5 million burglaries occur each year — roughly one break-in every 13 seconds. To protect your business and assets, invest in a top-rated security system. All devices will alert you and authorities to suspicious activity. You’ll want to advertise that you have a security system, whether through a sticker in the window or a sign on the front lawn. This technique will deter burglars from your property.

Cameras

Security cameras are a must. You should place these within your store as well as one or two outside. This way, you can monitor what happens during the day and after hours. Camera placement, too, is essential. When these devices are visible and strategically-placed, you can deter thieves.

Keys

If a burglar breaks in, keys can prevent them from getting into private rooms. If you’d like, you can have separate keys for different areas. You can also add additional locks to rooms with valuables. If you’re worried about a master burglar with a pick kit, consider investing in electronic key fobs.

Security Gates

An overhead security gate is a cost-effective tool that can protect your storefront. An overhead gate stays up during open hours and locks in the closed position when you leave. This sturdy option requires minimal maintenance and keeps ne’er-do-wells from breaking in. Plus, they come in different sizes, allowing you to choose a gate that fits your storefront’s needs.

Windows

While doors are a prime opportunity for break-ins, windows can be, too. You’ll want to fortify each pane of glass, such as with security bars. Even if someone wants to break in, they won’t be able to squeeze through. You should also connect each potential entrance to your security system.

Hidden Valuables

If someone breaks in, you’ll want to ensure they can’t find anything of value. Hide things like money, keys and employee and client information. If you sell valuables, like laptops or televisions, you’ll want to make sure they’re securely connected to their shelving units and contain sensors that trip the alarm when moved.

Safes

Your safe will contain some of the most valuable items and information in the store. Therefore, it should be in a secretive spot. Don’t leave your safe in a desk drawer or filing cabinet — these are the first places a burglar will look. Instead, get creative. Find or build a hidden nook in the floor you can cover with a carpet. Keep an inconspicuous stack of boxes in the hallway and place the safe — wrapped in a blanket — in the one at the bottom.

Lighting

Lighting is an essential feature in your store’s security. A well-lit interior, even during closing hours, will deter thieves from trying to get in. Plus, if someone does break through, passersby will be able to see them. Keep the outside of your storefront lit up, too. With the right placement of fixtures, your security cameras can catch suspicious activity.

How to Protect Your Storefront From Break-Ins

If you’re a small business, protecting yourself against crime can seem like a hassle. The goods news is, the longer you operate, the less likely you are to be a victim of burglary. In the meantime, invest in some of the safety measures above, from security systems to adequate lighting.

So, in a couple of weeks you’re going to hear the Illinois Association of Realtors say that the Chicago real estate market experienced a little increase in home sales activity in February compared to last year. 1.5% is my guess as to what they are going to announce. Of course, my own calculated percentage is more accurate. I come up with 3.4%. The only thing is that this February had an extra day. It’s called leap year. So after you adjust for that you come up with basically flat sales to last year.

Then you can compare February’s sales with the previous years’ sales and you will see that it was lower than the 4 prior years. That’s apparent in the graph below which has all the February data points flagged in red. There’s also a light blue moving trend line that smooths out the seasonality and shows you how sales activity has been trailing off. Maybe there is a small uptick in the last two months but February was a disappointment.

Chicago home sales have been declining now for several years with only a slight uptick lately

Chicago Home Contract Activity

But there were a couple of bright spots in February. For instance, contract activity picked up by 10.4% from last year, which is the strongest percentage gain in 4 years. You can see that in the graph below. Of course, contract activity was only higher than the last 2 years. 2016 and 2017, on the other hand, were much stronger.

Home sale contract activity in Chicago was the strongest in 4 years in February.

Pending Home Sales

So where did all those contracts go? They obviously didn’t result in sales – yet.

That’s what pending home sales are all about – basically contracts to purchase homes that haven’t closed yet. And if you look at the graph below you’ll see that pending home sales were up over last year – by 342 units. That’s pretty significant in light of the fact that pending home sales have been on the decline for many years. So there was actually more activity in February but not all the contracts have closed yet. With this pipeline expansion subsequent months should be stronger than their activity might merit.

The backlog of homes likely to close in the next 1 – 2 months bounced back in February

Distressed Home Sales

The percentage of home sales that are distressed continues to hit new lows. It looks like we did peak in January, as expected, and we peaked in the single digits for the first time since I’ve been tracking the data. Unless we hit some kind of recession caused by…I dunno…the spread of some kind of plague…I don’t think we’ll be seeing double digit percentages again. February came in at 7.6%, down from 9.8% last year. And I keep thinking we’re bottoming out – just look at the graph – but we somehow manage to keep finding new lows.

Since the housing crisis the percentage of home sales that are distressed has steadily declined.

Chicago Home Inventory

Detached home inventory has been steadily declining for years now and February was no exception. We hit a 3.0 month supply, down from 3.7 months last year. That’s significant. And attached inventory has finally begun to drop after rising for the last couple of years. It’s now at a 3.4 month supply, which is down from 3.7 months last year – still higher than detached inventory.

The months of supply of detached home inventory in Chicago continues to hit new lows while attached home inventory has risen.

Chicago Home Sale Market Times

Chicago homes are definitely selling faster than last year but not by as much as I would expect given how much inventory has declined. Detached homes that closed in February took 101 days to go under contract compared to 106 days last year. Attached inventory also saw a decline to 108 days, down from 109 days last year.

The time it takes to sell condos/ townhomes and single family homes are recently converging.

If you are interested you can find a bit more Chicago real estate data on our Web site. Even if you are not interested you can find it there.

#RealEstate #ChicagoRealEstate

Gary Lucido is the President of Lucid Realty, the Chicago area’s full service real estate brokerage that offers home buyer rebates and discount commissions. If you want to keep up to date on the Chicago real estate market or get an insider’s view of the seamy underbelly of the real estate industry you can Subscribe to Getting Real by Email using the form below. Please be sure to verify your email address when you receive the verification notice.

While most of the world is preoccupied with the Coronavirus, I decided to revisit something I published a few years back.  It kind of gets our minds to thinking about things that can kill us.  I recently saw a photo at a local Costco in Chicago that showed aisle after aisle of empty toilet paper, water and hand sanitizer shelves completely bare.  Folks are truly thinking.  Certainly, the world is filled with enough things that are harmful and indeed there are the usual suspects that will kill us off much quicker than we would like.

However, a worldwide deadly virus commands the attention of the news media and accelerates our thinking about the thought of death and how we can survive. I somehow stumbled on a new theory by Ben Sasse, the Republican United States Senator from Nebraska, no less.  However, after reading his theory in his recently published book called “Them-Why We Hate Each Other and How to Heal” it most certainly grabbed my attention, more so after the great columnist and Cub Fan, (I had to throw that in of course) George Will, gave it some merit in a recent piece in the Tribune.

Sasse goes on to say that in the 1950s Americans stocked their imaginations with similar things.  For example, he points out that 70% of all Americans tuned into,  ready! “I Love Lucy.”  Today he correctly points out that 93% of all Americans have access to more than 500 channels.  In the last quarter of the 20th century, the average number of times Americans entertained at home declined almost 50% with the median American checking (according to a PEW survey) a smartphone every 4.3 minutes with nearly 40% of 18 to 29-year-olds online every waking minute.

The biggest common denominator is being distracted equals loneliness.  The loneliness he states has reached epidemic like proportions and he further suggests that persistent loneliness reduces the average longevity in us, humans, more than twice as much as does heavy drinking and three times as much as obesity which often is a consequence of loneliness.  Research demonstrates that loneliness is as physically dangerous as smoking 15 cigarettes a day and contributes to cognitive decline, including Alzheimer’s disease.

I cannot argue with most of what the Senator says.  I can see for myself the thousands of people the world over constantly looking into their phones or talking on them almost anywhere you go.  The horrible surge in injuries and deaths for distracted drivers is proof enough.  I wasn’t elected by the people to talk for them, so I can only speak for myself and maybe for my generation, but my iPhone and my computer has been such a wonderful happening for me in so many ways I can’t count them — a life changer indeed, but HOLD on, not the biggest one.  This is not meant to be my story, but it may help anyone who can relate to this budding new theory that we are so distracted we have become lonely.

As a very young Marine, I was pulled aside by my Marine Gunny Sergeant who gave me a paperback book and barked into my face, “Marine, if you survive the next few years and read this book your life will always be fulfilled.  When you take off the uniform and go home, you will go on to be a lot of things again; a son, a friend, a father, a husband, a partner, a good neighbor, a mentor.  You have to be there for all of them when needed.”  It was my Rudyard Kipling moment.  I devoured “Meditations” by the great Roman leader, Marcus Aurelius, the father of stoicism.  His personal writings were called Meditations.  They are considered one of the greatest works of philosophy.  He died in 180 AD but his words knock me down to this day.  I’m sharing maybe for somebody who is lonely.  “How to find happiness and peace when surrounded by misery, how to choose the harder right over the easier wrong.”  It is the most essential book ever written on character, leadership, and duty.  Indeed those Americans who served their country have heard the phrase — DUTY-HONOR-COUNTRY, Marcus Aurelius 177 AD.

His Meditations tell us to “bear in mind that the measure of a man is the worth of the things he cares about.  If it is good to say or do something, then it is even better to be criticized for having said it.  He asks himself, are my guiding principles healthy and robust?  On this hangs everything.”  For everyone in the Senator’s research and the PEW survey who may feel distracted and thinking that loneliness might eventually bring you down “I Love Lucy” is long gone, but Marcus Aurelius is 8 bucks at Barnes and Noble.  Words from the Gunny to you.  “What we do for ourselves dies with us, what we do for others and the world is immortal.”  Keep the phones and the internet but know the importance of the existence of decency and respect.  There are those that are convinced that E Pluribus Unum is a dead American fantasy, but out of many, one is a sure cure for loneliness.

America is being misled from the highest levels of government; we’re like a ship on a storm tossed sea steered by a captain who is blindfolded and drunk.  The following was published just ten days ago as a clarion warning in the hope that those who read it would spread caution – not fear – among their neighbors and loved ones. 

There’s been some editing, but in case you missed it….

I apologize if I offended anyone by calling you gullible, but how else would you describe yourself?

If it’s not some special form of gullibility that causes you to believe ANYTHING out of Donald John Trump’s mouth, then it’s something much more serious.  And that, my friends is worrisome.

There is no known cure for stupidity.

If you ever get a chance to read ANYTHING or find ANY news source other than Fox, you would know that very little of what Donald John Trump says bears even the slightest relationship to facts or truth.

You believe him when he denies what would be blatantly obvious to a child.  For example, man’s output of carbon and methane into the atmosphere is, at the very least hastening climate change at a dangerous rate.

If you believe him when he tells you that he’s got a rapidly spreading pandemic “well controlled,” then you are putting yourself and those around you at risk.

Trump doesn’t read, doesn’t sit for presidential briefings and doesn’t listen to anyone but Vladimir Putin and conspiracy theorists like Sean Hannity, Rush Limbaugh and Mark Levin.

What possible sense could it make to believe a buffoon like Donald John Trump over the ENTIRE WORLDWIDE SCIENTIFIC COMMUNITY?

Shame on you.

Donald John Trump fired the CDC PANDEMIC RESPONSE TEAM (all of them) in 2018 and wants to cut another 16% from the CDC budget.  Hannity probably omitted that from his “newscasts.”

Hannity also “forgot” to mention that Little Donnie wants to cut your Social Security and Medicare benefits and take health insurance away from 25 million people, but that’s for another tirade.

The Trump administration is missing senior (nonpartisan) officials in crucial departments across the board, even in the Department of Homeland Security.  Most of the people “in charge” are in acting positions and unqualified for those roles.

That’s what happens when you have a president whose sole object is to surround himself with people loyal ONLY to him, regardless of their competence.

You can, if you choose continue to believe Donald John Trump, in spite of what you can see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears.

You may not realize it, but Donald John Trump is just a Kardashian with a very long tie.

The stock market, Trump’s proud measure of “success” is telling you something different, though. It’s telling you that Donald John Trump is full of crap.

Investors and market mavens were willing to overlook Trump’s crimes, ignorance and lies because his tax cuts to the rich made them even richer.

Almost immediately after Trump’s economic adviser, Larry Kudlow came out and said that the coronavirus was well contained, the Dow Jones Industrial Average dropped 800 points.

Larry Kudlow is a pompous stuffed shirt who’s most famous for touting housing stocks leading up to the crash of 2008.

Kellyanne Conway is out there chanting, “contained, contained, contained” like she did, “no collusion, no collusion, no collusion.”

She was lying then and she is lying now.  Her very own husband, George T. Conway, a staunch Republican has lamented publicly over the loss of wife’s credibility.  Or integrity, or whatever.

He says she’s a liar.

Donald John Trump is a clear and present danger to every American.  You can believe him if you want to, but you should believe this, as well:  Coronavirus is not a Democrat, media hoax.

It is real and it is coming to gathering near you.

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We don’t often consider the impact that hearing loss has on our mental health. There is research that explores how relationships and self-confidence can be negatively affected by hearing loss.

Untreated hearing loss can result in anxiety and feelings of depression. As the hearing loss becomes more severe in degree, avoiding social activities also increases. Engaging in conversation becomes a challenge and can snowball into avoiding interactions with others. When asked to repeat multiple times, it can be embarrassing or frustrating for both parties. When we strain to listen, more time is spent unscrambling the message and in doing so, the opportunity to construct a reply is lost.

Baby boomers with hearing loss raises our awareness of these concerns. Studies show that hearing loss that is not addressed can affect relationships, socialization and satisfaction with life in general. The good news is that wearing hearing aids has positive effects on the quality of life including better relationships.

If you haven’t had your hearing checked, the time is now. See an Audiologist. Stay healthy and engaged. After all, no one should miss life’s little moments.

In this week’s Consumer Guide Car Stuff Podcast podcast, we talked about the Jeep Gladiator #cardujour and how it fits into an urban environment. We also looked at the demise of Holden and what it means for General Motors. Then we wax poetic about the 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8.

The quiz was about historical Corvettes, and spoiler alert, I didn’t do well.

The question of the podcast: What was your favorite Corvette? Mine: The 1963 Split Window.

Be sure to let us know if you have questions or if there are any topics you’d like us to cover on future podcasts.

You can follow us on social at:

• Jill: @jillciminillo (instagram/twitter)
• Tom: @car_guy_tom (twitter)
• Damon: @DBell72333786 (twitter)
• Consumer Guide Automotive: @cgautomotive (twitter/facebook)
• Consumer Guide Car Stuff on facebook

Monday, March 16 will be quite the night at the Zhou B Art Center (1029 W. 35th) in Bridgeport when Common Threads’ founders Chef Art Smith and Jesus Salgueiro bring Chef Takeover to Chicago! The big event will celebrate the 15th

Chef Art Smith

anniversary of this amazing nonprofit that provides nutrition education and programming in Chicago Public Schools and community organizations throughout the area. To date, the nonprofit has reached more than 500,000 children, parents and educators nationwide. It will also celebrate Art’s 60th birthday with a surprise presentation from Eli’s Cheesecake Company!

The exciting night begins at 6:30 pm (until 9:30 pm) will also include over 30 top chefs including Stephanie Izard, Gale Gand, Tony Priolo, Jimmy Bannos Jr. & Sr., Giuseppe Tentori, Jaime Laurita, Paul Kahan, Govind Armstrong, Emilio Campbell, Bill Kim, Tim Graham, Yoshi Yamada, Diana Moles and so many more!

Participating chefs and more!

There will be lots of surprises too! Expect to see a dynamic performance by The Happiness Club Kids, hot mixes by Fig Media’s James Gustin, Small Threads from Common Threads helping at the chef stations and so much more! The night will also pay tribute to Janice Jackson, the CEO of Chicago Public Schools!

The VIP after-party will be held at The Duck Inn, from

Stellar host committee!

9:30 pm — 11:30 pm) and hosted by owner Chef Kevin Hickey! There you will find sweet desserts from Chefs Gale Gand, Tatum Sinclair, Steak 48 and Pretty Cool Ice Cream plus cocktails from Ketel One, Tanqueray Gin, Don Julio Tequila and Bulleit Bourbon.

JOIN US!

FOR TICKETS/MORE INFO, CLICK HERE! 

VIP ticket details!

Enough already. We’re into a full-blown global panic over the coronavirus epidemic/pandemic. Let’s sit down, get a glass of water and calmly consider an alternative theory that I propose.

This will get me labeled “anti-science,” but please  think about it:

Why are Coronavirus infections popping up with no apparent connection to the China outbreak? These are people who haven’t been to China or who had no contact with anyone who has. How did the coronavirus spread to these isolated cases?

Here’s my theory. The Coronavirus has been with us longer than we imagined. It has widely spread just like other viruses that target humans. Before that highly publicized outbreak in China, we just didn’t know it. And seemingly with no loss to our prosperity, health and travels. Infections and, possibly, any deaths were written off as the usual: “Acute respiratory distress.’

Only a few health care providers and scientists recognized the cause of the illness as Coronavirus. For example, here is a March 2019 scientific paper that identified the virus. The difference between then and now? The earlier identification didn’t receive the massive, panic-inducing media coverage that we’re seeing now.

It finally got noticed because of the colossal bungling by the central Communist government in China that produced such huge numbers. The media pounded and rushed into full-panic mode. Especially the cable news networks. Every possible angle at every possible moment. Scaring the bejabbers out of everyone. We’re doomed! Doomed I say!

Talking heads duel over whether it’s a epidemic or a pandemic. Direct from trading floors, blood is spilled. Shelves are emptied of disinfectants. Face masks everywhere. Maps covered with red dots tracking discovered infections. Trips cancelled, businesses shutting down. Retirement savings in 401Ks emptied. Blame placers demand, “Where is the plan? We need a plan. Somebody do something!” Handshaking and other human contact shunned.

Hey, this isn’t the black death, with bodies covered in boils oozing blood and rotting in the streets. Fear itself is becoming more devastatingly consequential than the Coronavirus itself. If you don’t think so, wait and see companies go belly up because they have lost customers, had their supply chain blocked or shut down production facilities. How many breadwinners will lose their jobs?

All this, astonishingly, before we even know how fatal Coronavirus-caused disease is. Estimates of the percentage of fatalities among the infected includes the huge numbers of deaths in China, but doesn’t include the big numbers who have been infected and recovered without notice because they were never diagnosed with the disease.

In fact, the flu is deadlier. Some 61,000 deaths were linked to the flu virus in the 2017-2018 flu season, and 34,200 in the  2018-2019 season. From Oct. 1, 2019 through Feb. 1 this year 12,000 people have died from it with the number of deaths possibly reaching  30,000. As of this writing, 22 Americans have died from Coronavirus. 

As a nation, we are out of control, running down the street waving our hands and screaming, “the virus is coming, the virus is coming!”

It’s already become reminiscent of the 1929 stock market crash that threw open the doors of hell throw which we plunged into the Great Depression.

No, I’m not saying that this isn’t a serious public health problem requiring vast efforts and money to conquer it. Nor do I suggest we ignore the people who have or will die.

But the damage we are doing to ourselves is historic.

[email protected]

www.dennisbyrne.net 

My historical novel: Madness: The War of 1812

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