(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Three small, live music venues in the Chicago area are getting grants from the not-for-profit Live Music Society.
What's it like owning a small venue for live music?
"The first word that came to mind is 'painful,’” says Robert Gomez, owner of Beat Kitchen in Roscoe Village.
"There are more venues under 500 capacity than anywhere in the country -- I believe anywhere in the world. It's that competitive in Chicago, and more venues keep coming."
The Beat Kitchen is getting a $6,000 grant from the Live Music Society.
"We've always wanted to have some fresh air, especially air-conditioned air, in the green room for the bands, which is in the basement. It's been a challenge for us to get that done.
"So that's what we appealed for and that's what they awarded us, which is great."
Other Chicago area venues winning grants are The Hideout on the Near Northwest side and The Venue in Aurora.
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