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.
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
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
Wednesday & Thursday (11:30AM – 6PM), Friday & Saturday (8AM – 6PM), and Sunday (11AM – 4:30PM)
- 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
Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community
The Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community’s Storefront Activation sites have ended programming. For more information on this organization, visit: https://cbcacchicago.org
DishRoulette Kitchen NFP
DishRoulette Kitchen’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.dishroulettekitchen.com
Greater Chatham Initiative
Greater Chatham Initiative’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.greaterchathaminitiative.org
Greater Southwest Development Corporation
Greater Southwest Development Corporation’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://greatersouthwest.org
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce
Lakeview Roscoe Village Chamber of Commerce’s Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.lakeviewroscoevillage.org
Midway Chamber of Commerce
Midway Chamber’s Storefront Activation programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.midwaychamber.org
The Far South Community Development Corporation
The Far South CDC’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://farsouthcdc.org
The Magnificent Mile Association
The Magnificent Mile Association’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.themagnificentmile.com.
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center
The Puerto Rican Cultural Center’s Storefront Activation site programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://prcc-chgo.org
Uptown United
Uptown United’s Storefront Activation sites programming has ended. 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 programming has ended. For more information on this organization, visit: https://www.westtownchamber.org/pop-up.