Kiosk Vendor Fears Being Edged Out Of Mariano Park
(CBS) -- There's a battle brewing at one of the smallest parks in the city of Chicago: The tiny enclave where State meets Rush, formally called Mariano Park, but known as the Viagra Triangle, reports WBBM's Steve Miller.
Juice, gelato and coffee have been the menu at Whispers at Mariano Park. Owner Nemer Alia has had the lease from the park district for 13 years.
Now the lease is up for bidding and there is considerable interest.
Alia wants to stay. He is especially concerned about his neighbor, Gibson's, edging him out.
Nevertheless, he is hopeful.
"I am, but I know how Chicago politics works," he said.
Gibson's spokeswoman Sara Roberts says Gibson's would love to see Alia and Whispers stay.
But the park district may be looking for more money.
"We are concerned, with all the bidders coming in, something's going to happen and there's going to be cooking and more garbage and stuff that we don't want to see in the park," Roberts said.
So she says it's a defensive move by Gibson's.
John Rudnick lives near Mariano Park, which he wants to keep the way it is - without Gibson's in the park.
"Right now they say they don't want a liquor license," Rudnick said. "But there's a lot of money in liquor."