STUDIO XFINITY
The STUDIO XFINITY store, in the North and Clybourn corridor of Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, is partnering with ReelAbilities to celebrate ADA 25.
By Katherine McGuire, senior manager communications, Comcast - August 27, 2015
We at the Metropolitan Planning Council know that when businesses and communities come together, great things can happen. We saw the benefits of this collaboration first-hand when several companies participated in our 2014 Old Place New Tricks placemaking contest. As we gear up for our own event celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on Tuesday, Oct. 27, we’re excited to hear about STUDIO XFINITY’s efforts to invest in communities and improve opportunities for Americans with disabilities.
When Comcast first decided to create a new interactive retail space in the Chicago area, planners felt being in a location in which the store could be an active part of surrounding communities was important. With that in mind, Comcast selected a 9,000 square-foot storefront located at 901 W. Weed Street in the North and Clybourn corridor and got to work bringing to life a vision for a different kind of customer experience. In the store, visitors can interact with an ever-expanding suite of Xfinity internet, video, voice and home security and automation products and services.
The store concept was new and fresh for Comcast, and brought an exciting opportunity to an already far-reaching commitment to community investment. Since the opening of STUDIO XFINITY on July 9, the company has been working with local organizations to host community-based events at the site. In celebration of the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the ReelAbilities Film Festival will hold an Opening Night Program at STUDIO XFINITY on Wednesday, Sept. 9. The film festival is the largest of its kind in the United States dedicated to sharing the human experience of disability through art and film.
“STUDIO XFINITY was a really great fit for our needs,” said Reveca Torres, executive director of Backbones, the film festival sponsor. “The openness of the space provides greater accessibility for visitors with physical disabilities and the huge TV screens are a perfect platform to show the short films during our kick off. We were also pleased to learn that Comcast is also focused on developing new technologies to make more universally accessible experiences for everyone.”
ReelAbilities Opening Night is from 7:30 to 10 p.m., and will feature interactive experiences, food, drinks and fantastic short films! The event is free to the public. Please click here to reserve your space for the event.
To learn more about STUDIO XFINITY and upcoming interactive events at the store or schedule a visit with one of our Store Associates, visit https://www.studioxfinity.com/. Any questions can be directed to the STUDIO XFINITY Events Manager at (312) 763-2300 or studio_xfinity@comcast.com. STUDIO XFINITY is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Katherine McGuire is a sr. manager with Comcast’s Communications Team. She develops and leads all internal communications to Comcast’s more than 7,000 employees in the Greater Chicago Region including Illinois, Northwest Indiana and Southwest Michigan.