Chicago filmmaker brings “Wild” videos to Wheeling

The village of Wheeling is pairing up with a Chicago filmmaker to help promote its historic restaurant row through a series of online videos that will debut this summer.

Wheeling announced this week it will be working with Ben Hollis, original host and creator of the WTTW show “Wild Chicago,” to create 10 videos highlighting the village and popular restaurants in town.

Each video will focus on one of the restaurants along Milwaukee Avenue and what it offers Wheeling. The village will create a YouTube Channel to help promote the videos, which will cost about $1,000 to produce.

“I’m very excited to bring the ‘Wild’ spirit to Wheeling,” Hollis said. “Each story will focus on the business, the entrepreneurs and what they bring to the community.”

Hollis said he’ll spend about 90 minutes filming at each location, capturing what it is that makes it unique, exciting and special to Wheeling.

Hollis worked on a similar project in West suburban Berwyn, with about 15 videos showcasing the city.

“Wheeling is an outstanding place to bring this. It has the spirit, the heart and the vibrance,” Hollis said.

Wheeling Economic Development Director Peter Vadopalas said there will be an application program for restaurants wanting to participate in the videos. The village will announce which locations will be featured by mid-May, and the videos will be complete by July.