The First Chicago Restaurant to Accept Bitcoin

[Phinnaeus Gage]

So whats the word on your efforts so far Bruno?  It's been a few months since an update.  I have a date with a hot blonde coming up and I just lost my debit card.  I have to say, it would be cool to pay for dinner and some other activities with BTC like a boss.  Add me to the list.

Oh and is the cab company accepting BTC yet? 

The Cabbie guy is on hold, and as far as the restaurants I had in mind, I put them on hold due to I was in the process of obtaining a Sandwich, IL, restaurant to accept bitcoins until one of its patrons opted to invest in Bitcoinica and now has his money tied up in Mt Gox. That fiasco caused me to lose face at the local restaurant along with having me to relocate two warehouses storing barn wood due to EPA concerns, all stemming from the guy who made a Bitcoin investment thanks to my blessing of Bitcoinica. The last thing I wanted was to lose a good client in Chicago, one of which I believe I can easily convince him in taking bitcoins at all his establishments.

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[ksteve96]

Wow, the bitcoinica tendrils reaching out to barn wood in sandwich...Never would have thought that.

I'm back and forth right now but in the Spring I'm moving back to Chicago, so if you have a list put me on it. 
I haven't read the article entirely yet, but what about this: http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/16/technology/innovation/bitcoin-sales/index.html

I think the biggest obstacle is the hassle they have to go through to turn it back in to cash.   

[kjlimo]

Wow, the bitcoinica tendrils reaching out to barn wood in sandwich...Never would have thought that.

I'm back and forth right now but in the Spring I'm moving back to Chicago, so if you have a list put me on it. 
I haven't read the article entirely yet, but what about this: http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/16/technology/innovation/bitcoin-sales/index.html

I think the biggest obstacle is the hassle they have to go through to turn it back in to cash.   

That's where Bitpay can help.  Instead of receiving bitcoins, your business can have USD (or other currencies) deposited into your bank account the next day.  So your business can accept bitcoins as a payment option utilizing Bitpay's merchant checkout solution and receive dollars or whichever currency you desire.

[ksteve96]

Wow, the bitcoinica tendrils reaching out to barn wood in sandwich...Never would have thought that.

I'm back and forth right now but in the Spring I'm moving back to Chicago, so if you have a list put me on it. 
I haven't read the article entirely yet, but what about this: http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/16/technology/innovation/bitcoin-sales/index.html

I think the biggest obstacle is the hassle they have to go through to turn it back in to cash.   

That's where Bitpay can help.  Instead of receiving bitcoins, your business can have USD (or other currencies) deposited into your bank account the next day.  So your business can accept bitcoins as a payment option utilizing Bitpay's merchant checkout solution and receive dollars or whichever currency you desire.

Yes, they need something like that; what I liked in the article was that you buy a coupon, instead of getting money direct from bitpay.  Seems safer right now, the coupons are not from bitpay so the store/restaurant is safe WHEN the feds freeze bitpays assets.

[faiza1990]

Maybe somebody should start a money exchange business in Chicago so that people can become bitcoin users more easily

[kjlimo]

Wow, the bitcoinica tendrils reaching out to barn wood in sandwich...Never would have thought that.

I'm back and forth right now but in the Spring I'm moving back to Chicago, so if you have a list put me on it. 
I haven't read the article entirely yet, but what about this: http://money.cnn.com/2013/05/16/technology/innovation/bitcoin-sales/index.html

I think the biggest obstacle is the hassle they have to go through to turn it back in to cash.   

That's where Bitpay can help.  Instead of receiving bitcoins, your business can have USD (or other currencies) deposited into your bank account the next day.  So your business can accept bitcoins as a payment option utilizing Bitpay's merchant checkout solution and receive dollars or whichever currency you desire.

Yes, they need something like that; what I liked in the article was that you buy a coupon, instead of getting money direct from bitpay.  Seems safer right now, the coupons are not from bitpay so the store/restaurant is safe WHEN the feds freeze bitpays assets.

What makes you think the feds are gonna do that?

[ksteve96]

Yes, they need something like that; what I liked in the article was that you buy a coupon, instead of getting money direct from bitpay.  Seems safer right now, the coupons are not from bitpay so the store/restaurant is safe WHEN the feds freeze bitpays assets.

What makes you think the feds are gonna do that?
[/quote]

I probably should have said IF.  Thanks for making me re-think that.

Bitcoin is a target in the US right now, it seems any excuse and they'll freeze assets.  Take tangible cryptography for an example.  The state shut them down, not the Feds, but same idea.

If it wasn't for my paranoia, I would probably do this:

Maybe somebody should start a money exchange business in Chicago so that people can become bitcoin users more easily

My uncle already services 100's of small businesses around Chicago for their CC payment, incorporating bitcoin as a payment option in these shops would be relatively easy for him.  I guess I'll research the laws involved and see what needs to be done and how much it will cost and then pitch him on it.  I wouldn't even begin operating until spring, so I have time for research and planning.  If anyone could sell bitcoin merchant services it's my uncle.

I guess I'm a long way off from a BTC funded date though.  Localbitcoins FTW.  Also, I need to not lose my debit card anymore.  Last time I came here I melted it in the dryer, this time, I don't even know.  My bank is 3 states away and I don't keep credit cards. 

[kjlimo]

Yes, they need something like that; what I liked in the article was that you buy a coupon, instead of getting money direct from bitpay.  Seems safer right now, the coupons are not from bitpay so the store/restaurant is safe WHEN the feds freeze bitpays assets.

What makes you think the feds are gonna do that?

I probably should have said IF.  Thanks for making me re-think that.

Bitcoin is a target in the US right now, it seems any excuse and they'll freeze assets.  Take tangible cryptography for an example.  The state shut them down, not the Feds, but same idea.

If it wasn't for my paranoia, I would probably do this:

Maybe somebody should start a money exchange business in Chicago so that people can become bitcoin users more easily

My uncle already services 100's of small businesses around Chicago for their CC payment, incorporating bitcoin as a payment option in these shops would be relatively easy for him.  I guess I'll research the laws involved and see what needs to be done and how much it will cost and then pitch him on it.  I wouldn't even begin operating until spring, so I have time for research and planning.  If anyone could sell bitcoin merchant services it's my uncle.

I guess I'm a long way off from a BTC funded date though.  Localbitcoins FTW.  Also, I need to not lose my debit card anymore.  Last time I came here I melted it in the dryer, this time, I don't even know.  My bank is 3 states away and I don't keep credit cards. 
[/quote]

I'll gladly discuss Bitpay with your uncle.  Feel free to PM me if you need a phone number.  I'll be on the road next Wed/Thurs afternoons and have time to chat; however, if you'd prefer to work with him yourself, that's cool, too.

I'm in Cleveland, and travel to Chicago a couple times a year.  I'm going to Cincinnati next Weds night and I'm going to be promoting Bitpay's services to a brick & mortar merchant in Cincinnati.

[mises]

Sweet. Good luck on making this happen.

[faiza1990]

Sweet. Good luck on making this happen.

cheers for this good work

[kjlimo]

Sweet. Good luck on making this happen.

cheers for this good work

Heh, I appreciate the support; however, to make sure you're not too over excited, it's taken me two years to get one business in the Cleveland area accepting bitcoin...

I've put some effort into Chicago and Cleveland, but mostly phone calls.  Going in is much higher return; however, restaurant owners are busy people and tough to track down.

We'll see if I get some momentum to give another push later this year.

[faiza1990]

Sweet. Good luck on making this happen.

cheers for this good work

Heh, I appreciate the support; however, to make sure you're not too over excited, it's taken me two years to get one business in the Cleveland area accepting bitcoin...

I've put some effort into Chicago and Cleveland, but mostly phone calls.  Going in is much higher return; however, restaurant owners are busy people and tough to track down.

We'll see if I get some momentum to give another push later this year.

but still happy somebody showing courage for this late is better then never

[abracadabra]

*bump*

[Baldassare]

I would go to a restaurant accepting Bitcoin in Chicago.
Kept looking at coinmap, but I was disappointed not to find one.

[barista]

Can't wait for restaurants in NY to start accepting bitcoin.

[abracadabra]

I would go to a restaurant accepting Bitcoin in Chicago.
Kept looking at coinmap, but I was disappointed not to find one.

When you go to visit Be prepared with info, and ask if the restaurant will take bitcoin.  When they look at you funny, present your info. 

[daviducsb]

We need to do this in L.A.

[sanjoea]

Very soon other restaurant owners also going to follow this

[rik_khaos]

Excellent! Very interested.  

I'm a chicagoland transplant here in Phoenix, but when I visit home I'll eat where they'll take my coins.

And seriously, get Portillos in on this I've got 2 locations out here.

[Musent]

+1 on this. I sincerely hope more small shops start doing this. It would give them an advantage over corporate.