Small Business Storefront Activations
The COVID-19 pandemic has left significant increases in commercial corridor vacancy rates across the City. Brick and mortar businesses that rely on foot traffic to drive sales were particularly harmed as commercial corridors across the city saw major reductions in economic activity.
Fourteen (14) community and economic development organizations have been awarded grants as part of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program. These selected organizations will work with small business owners and landlords to provide rapid relief to small businesses by activating vacant storefronts into burgeoning business spaces. The goal of the Small Business Storefront Activation Program is to boost local spending and draw additional foot traffic to commercial corridors across the City.
If you are a business owner and are interested in participating in this program, please fill out the Storefront Activation Program Small Business Interest Form.
2023 - 2025 Small Business Storefront Activation Program Grantees:
- Calumet Area Industrial Commission
- Coalition For a Better Chinese American Community
- DishRoulette Kitchen NFP
- Greater Chatham Initiative
- Greater Southwest Development Corporation
- Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
- Midway Chamber of Commerce
- Portage Park Chamber of Commerce
- The Far South Community Development Corporation
- The Magnificent Mile Association
- The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
- Uptown United
- West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce
List of Storefront Activation Program Grantees
Questions may be emailed to BACPEconomicRecovery@cityofchicago.org
Calumet Area Industrial Commission
Burst Into Books
119 E 107th St, Chicago, IL 60628
Tuesday to Friday (11AM – 6PM), Saturday (10AM – 5PM)
- Burst into Books envisions a world that is transformed through intentional access to culturally responsive literature. Their goal is to provide culturally relevant enrichment opportunities, engage and support the community through access to resources, and leverage the brilliance of Black people to cultivate published authors.
- https://www.burstintobooks.org
- info@calumetareaindustrial.com
- 9th Ward
BuenGro
3016 E. 92nd St, Chicago, IL 60617
Monday to Wednesday & Friday (8AM – 6PM), Thursday (8AM- 2PM), Saturday & Sunday (9AM - 4PM)
- BuenGro offers a wide variety of high-quality, locally grown flowers and plants, perfect for any occasion. From vibrant bouquets and elegant arrangements to lush houseplants and garden essentials, our products are carefully selected and nurtured to ensure they bring joy and freshness to your life.
- https://buengro.com
- info@calumetareaindustrial.com
- 10th Ward
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
Canal Pop!
2236-8 S Canal St, Chicago, IL 60616
Monday to Wednesday (By Appointment Only), Thursday & Friday (12PM – 8PM), and Saturday & Sunday (10AM – 6PM) starting June 15th
- Canal Pop! will feature AAPI makers and provide an incubator for these entrepreneurs to grow in a retail environment and receive training from industry experts on how to grow their businesses. From hand sewn clothing to ceramics, the incubator will be the new destination in Chinatown. Visit and purchase gifts for yourself and your loved ones from our talented makers!
- https://cbcacchicago.org/canalpop
- info@cbcacchicago.org
- 11th Ward
Canal POP!2.0
211 W 23rd St, Chicago, IL 60616
Tuesday (10AM – 3PM), Wednesday (12PM – 8PM), Friday (12PM – 7PM), and Sunday (10AM – 3PM)
- The CanalPOP!2.0 storefront incubator will showcase LIFEisTEA, a social enterprise tea house benefiting People Matter's social justice work. Three ceramicists will also feature their culturally infused handmade creations. Experience traditional gongfucha-style Chinese tea in a serene setting, perfect for working, relaxing, or socializing. Enjoy craft brewed tea, private tastings, workshops like "Decolonizing Tea," and special events. Discover unique gifts for loved ones this holiday season.
- https://cbcacchicago.org/canalpop
- info@cbcacchicago.org
- 11th Ward
DishRoulette Kitchen NFP
More information coming soon.
Greater Chatham Initiative
Mahalia’s
735 E 79th St, Chicago, IL 60619
Tuesday to Saturday (11AM – 7PM)
- Mahalia's is more than just a retail store. Greater Chatham Initiative has created this community-centric space that celebrates and promotes the creativity and talent within Chicago’s black communities. Mahalia's offers a curated selection of one-of-a-kind pieces reflecting the diversity and richness of black culture and creativity. This unique establishment is dedicated to providing a platform for over 30 vendors to showcase and sell their exceptional products.
- https://mahalias.com
- mahalias@greaterchathaminitiative.org or 312-429-0898
- 6th Ward
Greater Southwest Development Corporation
The Shop
2609 W 63rd St, Chicago, IL 60629
Friday & Saturday (12PM – 6PM)
- Our pop-up features products made by Black and Latina-owned businesses, such as jewelry, gourmet Mexican candy, luxury skin and beauty products, woodsy colognes and floral perfumes, and artisanal clothing and accessories native to Mexico.
- https://greatersouthwest.org/
- z.ek@greatersouthwest.org
- 16th Ward
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce’s Local on Lincoln Storefront Activation site has ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org
Midway Chamber of Commerce
Cheesie’s Pub & Grub
6544 W Archer, Chicago, IL 60638
Monday to Sunday (11AM - 11PM)
- Family owned and operated restaurant that offers the “Most Life Changing Grilled Cheese in America and Tokyo” according to Equire magazine.
- https://www.cheesies.com
- director@midwaychamber.org
- 23rd Ward
Art BizHub
6422 W Archer, Chicago, IL 60638
Wednesday (3PM – 6PM) & Saturday (10AM – 12PM)
- The Art BizHub is a multifaceted space that fosters creativity and community. As a public art gallery, it showcases the work of talented local artists. Additionally, it provides affordable workspaces for small businesses, nurturing innovation and entrepreneurship.
- www.facebook.com/midwaychamberchicago
- director@midwaychamber.org
- 23rd Ward
Portage Park Chamber of Commerce
Little Sweetpea’s Vintage Store
4948 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
Friday - Sunday (12PM – 4PM) and by appointment.
- Little Sweetpea’s Vintage Store carries vintage clothing, jewelry, purses and collectibles. Sustainably sourced Free People, Anthropologie and a few other brands will be sold as well.
- 45th Ward
And She Bakes Too
4938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60641
Friday – Sunday (8AM – 6PM)
- And She Bakes Too specializes in providing desserts that have been derived from recipes passed down from generation to generation in the owner’s family. As a self-taught baker, Paris strives for invoking the same excitement she has for baking in each of her customers. With a modern twist and flavor in each dessert, And She Bakes Too hopes you feel a piece of our love in every bite.
- michael@portageparkchamber.org
- 45th Ward
The Far South Community Development Corporation
Far South Marketplace
837 W 115th Street, Chicago, IL 60643
Monday to Sunday (12PM – 6PM)
- Far South Marketplace will have a variety of items for every shopper. From sculptures and fans of Africa, home goods, and memorial keepsakes to teas, herbal tinctures, and small batch fresh roasted coffee. Beauty products. hair products, apparel, accessories, and candles too!
- https://farsouthcdc.org/marketplace
- cam@farsouthcdc.org
- 21st Ward
The Magnificent Mile Association
The Magnificent Mile Association’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.themagnificentmile.com.
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
ESTU
2712 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
Monday to Friday (4:30PM - 9:30PM)
- ESTU is a Photography Studio that offers comprehensive photography packages including: Weddings, Portraits, Events Commercial, etc. The studio also has a gallery space dedicated to exhibit and sell photography.
- https://www.jaaydiaz.com
- eduardoa@prcc-chgo.org
- 26th Ward
408 Fabrication
2716 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
Monday to Friday (10AM – 5PM)
- 408 is a fabrication shop for artists, museums, architects, cultural institution that provides design to fabrication to installation services. We help to sculpt our clients’ vision and provide the tools necessary for artists and creatives to grow as professionals and reach their goals. 408 Fabrication will also have an exhibition space and host public events.
- 408fabrication.com
- eduardoa@prcc-chgo.org
- 26th Ward
El Schomburg | Espacio de Arte Contemporáneo
2538 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
Monday to Friday (Appointment Only), Saturday & Sunday (11AM – 1PM, 2PM – 6PM)
- This gallery features art by local artists as well as from Puerto Rico. The art ranged from fine art paintings, poster, stickers and both handmade and digital prints. El Schomburg will also host five annual exhibitions with opening and closing receptions.
- https://www.elschomburg.com
- eduardoa@prcc-chgo.org
- 26th Ward
Honeycomb Network
2659 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
Wednesday to Friday (1PM – 7PM), Saturday & Sunday (12PM – 5PM)
- This space will host a boutique apothecary gift shop, community event space, BIPOC bookstore and mini library, and hosts art exhibits by local BIPOC artists, as well as, providing holistic service.
- https://www.thehoneycombnetwork.com
- eduardoa@prcc-chgo.org
- 26th Ward
Reina’s Cakes
2550 W Division, Chicago, IL 60622
Wednesday to Sunday (11AM – 5PM)
- This shop will feature wearables exclusively designed for Reina’s Cakes as well as party supply and home-made cakes sold from her colorful mobile carts stationed in front of the store.
- https://www.facebook.com/cakesdereina
- eduardoa@prcc-chgo.org
- 26th Ward
Uptown United
Uptown United’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://exploreuptown.org.
West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce
The West Town Chicago Chamber of Commerce’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.westtownchamber.org/pop-up.