A long-empty Michigan Avenue space will soon be home to three new restaurants, why some people struggle to spend the money they’ve saved for retirement, and why more retail outlets are adding cafes to the mix.

Retailers from Uniqlo to Coach are adding in-store cafes to drive foot traffic, deepen brand experiences, and keep shoppers in stores longer. R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Palo Alto–based foot traffic analysis firm Placer A-I, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details…

A preview of the always-popular Chicago Theater Week, key advice on putting together a multi-generation trip, and dealing with friends and family who are bad tippers.

Dealing with awful tippers at your table can be awkward, but sometimes it calls for quiet fixes, honest conversations, or bold confrontation. Izzy Kharasch, president of Hospitality Works - aka the Restaurant Coach here in Chicago - joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.

Chicago Theater Week returns next month, with tickets on sale today, giving people a chance to see shows at much lower prices and making theater more accessible citywide. Marissa Lynn Jones, executive director of the League of Chicago Theatres, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Today kicks off the 2026 job search for many. It may be winter on the calendar, but baseball is on the mind for the Chicago Dogs - and we’ll also look at why so-called No-Spend January is gaining traction and reshaping post-holiday money habits.

No-Spend January is a growing trend, encouraging people to cut non-essential spending after the holidays to reset habits, boost savings, and build smarter money awareness. Shane Gornik, financial advisor with Forefront Financial Planning in Lisle, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details.

Retail investors are closing out one of their strongest years ever - beating Wall Street at its own game. Plus, money resolutions for the new year, and a visit with an emergency room doctor ahead of a typically busy night.

How to choose the perfect bottle of bubbly for New Year’s Eve, enjoying “European vibes” without leaving the United States - millions of workers leave vacation days on the table each year - advice on how not to be one of them.

Time off from work is a valuable commodity - and you can make it worth even more if you're strategic in how you use it. Cindy Richards, Editor in Chief of She Buys Travel dot-com in Chicago joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Fireworks sales are booming for New Year’s, and the industry sees a big year ahead. Restaurants are preparing for the New Year’s Eve crush. And this week is the perfect time to put together a family financial goal—set one, build a plan, and make sure everyone has skin in the game, even the kids.

This week is the perfect time to put together a family financial goal - set one, build a plan, and make sure everyone has skin in the game, even the kids. Craig Bolanos, Co-founder and wealth advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners in Inverness and Downers Grove, joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. The Christmas holiday weekend is also huge for the movie box office. And from dream to daily grind - what it really takes to run a successful restaurant.

Today - the day after Christmas - is the perfect time to build a gift closet, drawer, or box that prepares you for the entire year ahead. Chicago-based Business Reporter - Jennifer Waters joins Rachel Pierson on the WBBM Noon Business Hour with the details...

Despite early pessimism, shoppers came out in force, driving stronger-than-expected sales and a resilient retail season. The holiday travel rush is on as people head out to be with loved ones - and a Christmas Eve typo turned radar tracking into a Santa legend.

A look at the concept of a sleepcation - a low-effort getaway focused on rest, room service, late mornings, and coming home completely refreshed; why Travel Roulette could cure vacation overthinking; and how a self-imposed hotel tax could help boost Chicago tourism.

A sleepcation is a low-effort getaway focused on rest - room service - late mornings - and coming home completely refreshed. Cindy Richards, editor in chief of SheBuysTravel.com here in Chicago, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to explain...

Christmas is just days away, and last-minute shoppers are flooding stores, hoping retailers still have gifts, deals, and enough selection to finish their holiday lists. After a huge win over Green Bay, the Bears’ surge is fueling renewed excitement and delivering a real economic boost across the area. And giving the gift of clarity to your adult children this holiday season—honest conversations that matter most.

You’re probably familiar with Cameo, the service that lets you send a personalized message from a celebrity to friends, family, coworkers, or anyone else. Steven Galanis, co-founder and CEO of Chicago-based Cameo, joins Rob Hart on the WBBM Noon Business Hour to discuss.