The North Lawndale area has
experienced a resurgence of development
in the past decade, and while some of these
new ventures may survive, some
undoubtedly will fail to thrive.
Driving, riding a bus, walking or
running you can observe the remains of
businesses throughout the community that
once employed hundreds of Westside
residents.
One type of business that is considered
enrichment in Chicago is the currency
exchange. Located on a busy intersection
at 3160 West Ogden is a 24 Hour Currency
Exchange that has withstood the test of
time, crime and endured the high rate of
unemployment for many of its customers–
stands brightly.
While banks are popping up like toast
and vying for customers with lofty
incentives and catchy slogans, this currency
exchange at Kedzie/Ogden for over 20
years, has managed to weather the highs
and lows of operating in an area under
constant re-development by listening to
their customers needs and suggestions.
Owners Kevin Wiley and Dan
Benjamin (Father-in-law), along with a
team of twelve employees rely simply on
giving customers the best service possible.
They offer a wide-range of a transaction
that go beyond the basic check cashing; that
includes: License plates and stickers, title
registrations, money orders and utilities
payment.
“We do it all – we’re your one stop
money shop,” said Wiley whose hands on
approach to the business is the key to
keeping his customers and employees
happy.
Most notably is the free service charge
given to Chicago Police employees, a one
percent discount off the check cashing fee
is given to the Fire department employees,
a gesture of appreciation for their hard work
in the community.
Some neighboring hospitals and other
businesses, receives one percent discount
as customers of Wiley and his team at this
round the clock “We Never Close,” currency
exchange, and regular customers receives a
break from them when they bring in referrals.
“If you (customer) bring in a friend to cash
a check (payroll) and sign him up; we cash
your check for free,” said Wiley.
During the past few years Kedzie Street
and Ogden Avenue have been under new
development and the rate of constructions are
staggering. This rise in new construction has
breathed new life into a once defunct
community and while condos, townhouses
and churches are being built, many businesses
old and new ones are starting to rematerialize.
“We are starting to see more of the
companies that went oversee for the
manufacturers - they are starting to come
back,” said Wiley in light of the new
constructions.
“There are gradually people
coming back to the Lawndale area.”
This resurgent of businesses is good news
to many in the community, but it’s not about
the numbers of new customers the 24 Hour
Currency Exchange can obtain. Wiley’s has
moved beyond the notion of just making
money and retreating to his home in the
suburbs of Illinois.
Since 1988, not only has Wiley managed
to run a successful business in a field that he
barely knew anything about years before, but
he has become a staple in a community that
barely knew anything about him years ago.
Ensuring great customer service is only
one facet of Wiley’s business. He cares about
the residents in the community and more
importantly the welfare of their children.
He
and fellow business owners banded together
to build a basketball court at Douglas Park
for the community and he visions more after
school havens for the youth of North
Lawndale.
“What I would like to see is more after
school programs for the kids and youth
centers. I think that if we work together as a
community we can make everything better
for the kids,” said Wiley.
It’s important to him that the West Side
of Chicago receive the resources that are
available in the community.
Wiley finds that
working together with community leaders,
politicians and other businesses results in
everyone sharing in the feeling of
achievement.
“When more business owners and the
community get involved - everybody wins,”
he said. “You got to give back.”
His ideals come from his travels to other
cities and witnessing how their community
leaders work with their local politicians.
He
plans to continue to work toward building
more basketball courts and playgrounds.
One site that he wants to build a
playground on is right behind the currency
exchange next to a daycare center and he’s
calling on local businesses to make it
happen.
“My thing is education and helping the
kids…and everybody needs to get together
as business owners and start helping the
community, because they’re the ones
(people in the community) who take of your
business,” said Wiley.
His desire to have the young people of
North Lawndale the opportunity to be able
to have a safe haven to go to after school is
a top priority with Wiley.
Being a father of
three he knows the importance of children
learning and experiencing new activities and
he finds it necessary to build more centers
in the neighborhoods.
Wiley’s 24 Hour Currency Exchange is
a vital part of the community and his drive
to help improve the lives of the children is
highly regarded and the community applaud
Wiley and his staff for their constant service
and contribution to the North Lawndale
Community.
Priscilla Lucas is a North Lawndale
resident and a journalism graduate from
Columbia College. Priscilla is a general
assignment reporter for NLCN. To comment
on this article visit our weblog at
www.nlcn.org
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Friday, September 3, 2010 
