2024 Holiday Shopping Guide 

The Chicago Community Trust is committed to the vitality and well-being of the Chicago region and all who call it home. A key component of our work includes increasing wealth-building opportunities in underinvested communities by supporting pathways to entrepreneurship and small business growth. For the upcoming holiday season, we have created a guide of local vendors and social enterprises that are grant recipients of the Trust or have received small business support from our grant partners. Here is a list of storefronts, restaurants and online businesses in the region to consider for your holiday shopping and dining needs:  

Table of Contents: 

• Apparel 
• Beauty Products 
• Bookstores 
• Community Spaces 
• Food and Drink 
• Florists 
• Home Goods 
• Wellness 

Apparel & Jewelry 

Amadara (4555 N. Western Ave., Chicago, IL 60625) 
Amadara is a family-run, minority-owned small business located in Lincoln Square that specializes in importing unique and eclectic handicrafts. In addition to selling jewelry, clothing, gemstones, and other gifts. 

Aplomb (1010 W. 35th St., Chicago, IL 60609) 
Aplomb is a Black- and woman-owned vintage shop on 35^th Street. A creative studio and retail space, Aplomb offers modern vintage collections of accessories, blouses, coats, dresses, jewelry, and other apparel.  

Arise Creations (4101 W. 51st St., Chicago, IL 60632) 
A social enterprise under New Life Centers, Arise Creations is a jewelry business, job training program and after-school program. Youth participants from Humboldt Park and Little Village attend classes weekly where they’re taught how to create jewelry designs and gain entrepreneurship skills. Jewelry created by program participants can be purchased online.  

Daliyari Silver and Copper 
Daliyari Silver and Copper provides fine jewelry that reflects the essence and richness of Mexican artistry. Every piece of jewelry is a testament to the skill, passion and dedication of the desigenrs. Daliyari highlights the rich heritage of Mexican craftsmanship.  

Essential Creations Chicago (2112 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60643) 
Founded in 2000, Essential Creations Chicago has been a leading provider of high-quality embroidery services in the Beverly community. It has an experienced team working on a wide range of projects, from custom hats to t-shirts to intricate designs on jackets and bags.  

THE FIREHOUSE DREAM SHOP (511 Saint Charles Rd., Maywood, IL 60153) 
THE FIREHOUSE DREAM is a nonprofit that provides young adults from underinvested communities opportunities to tap into creative skill like photography, cinematography and brand identity, while also equipping them with financial wellness and other tools needed to create an income. The organization sells stickers, bracelets, and other mental health resources created by program participants on its website.  

Marie | Wesley (1122 W. 63rd Street, Chicago IL 60621) 
Marie | Wesley is a boutique consignment shop in Englewood that also operates as a fashion design incubator. It recruits and employs individuals making their way back into the community from prison, homelessness and chronic unemployment to help end the cycle of recidivism. It also provides opportunities for fashion design students to learn and create fashion under the Marie | Wesley brand.  

Sarah Kuenyefu Collection (4412 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653) 
Sarah Kuenyefu Collection provides fashion design, African fabrics, accessories, and beauty care products and services. It leverages ethnically influenced fashion and art to create a unique cultural style and positive lifestyle. 

Thrift, LLC (2517 W. 59th St., Chicago, IL 60629) 
Thrift, LLC is a thrift shop where customers can donate, shop, sell items, or engage with the shop in a variety of other ways. It seeks to create an ecosystem for buying, donating, empowering, and recycling within the Black community as well as the community at large.  

The Work Spot (330 E. 51^st St., Chicago, IL 60615) 
The Work Spot at Boxville is a custom apparel and merchandise print shop in Bronzeville. It provides services in underinvested communities with a purpose of inspiring and instilling creativity through custom printing.  

Beauty Products 

beelove® (1111 S. Homan Ave., Chicago IL 60624) 
Beelove® trains and employs people returning from incarceration to make beauty products with 100 percent natural ingredients and raw, unpasteurized honey. By connecting returning residents with opportunities and jobs, beelove® supports and grows thriving communities. The training program is based in North Lawndale and run by North Lawndale Employment Network (NLEN).  

The Love U Collective 
The Love U Collective sells chakra-inspired skincare products crafted with clean, natural and vegan ingredients and intentional aromatherapy blends to nourish the skin and also elevate the spirit. The shop sells a variety of body oils, butters, scrubs, and aromatherapy products.  

Nefertem Naturals 
Nerfertem Naturals offers skincare products, each handcrafted with the finest natural ingredients. From moisturizers to soaps, these products use grass-fed tallow to transform skin with deep hydration, nourishment and eco-conscious care.  

Yanél Naturals  
Yanél Naturals makes natural and organic cosmetic products free of animal abuse. The company also makes incense and herbs for a holistic meditative journey, harmonizing the mind, body, and spirit from start to finish.  

Bookstores 

Da Book Joint (330 E. 51st St., #9, Chicago, IL 60615)  
Da Book Joint is a Black woman-owned business born on the South Side of Chicago committed to literary growth and positive engagement of youth. Customers can purchase books and connect through virtual and in-person literary events.  

¡Viva! Los Libros (1836 W. 18th St., Chicago, IL 60608) 
Co-founded by Nina D. Sanchez, a second-generation Chicagoan with roots in Mexico, and Michael Wren, ¡Viva! Los Libros is Chicago’s first dedicated bilingual and social justice bookshop for children. Through its online and pop-up shops, the bookshop aims to support the positive racial identity development of children of color and expand access to quality, first-voice, and bilingual texts. 

Community Spaces 

Boxville Enterprises (330 E. 51st St., Chicago, IL 60615) 
Boxville is an enterprise hub featuring enterprises in the food & beverage and creative economy sectors. While offering community entrepreneurs accessible spaces for building their enterprises, the goal of Boxville is to build a community of business and social entrepreneurs that will move the neighborhood forward.  

The Woodlawn (1200 E. 79th St., Chicago, IL 60619) 
The Woodlawn is an innovative and vibrant economic center and community incubator located in Chatham. The 4,000+ square foot multi-purpose facility includes a wide range of space and programming, including a restaurant, internet café, kitchen, studio, pop-up retail vendors, and event space. 

Food & Drink 

Back of the Yards Coffee (2059 W. 47^th St. Chicago IL, 60609) 
Back of the Yards Coffee mixes social awareness with artisanal grounds and is one of the few Latine and women-owned coffee companies in the country. The company gives back to its community by reinvesting money made on bags of coffee into a social impact fund that is used to support organizations and initiatives in Back of the Yards community and other communities it serves. Back of the Yards Coffee sells bags of its beans online.  

Bitoy’s Sweet Treats (5957 W. Chicago Ave., Chicago, IL 60651) 
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats is a Black-owned gourmet sweets shop in Chicago. Bitoy’s sells a variety of handcrafted treats from popcorn to candies to baked goods. The shop also makes gelato inspired by founder Layla Bitoy-Dillon’s travels to Italy. In addition to a storefront location in Austin, it also ships its treats nationwide.  

Bronzeville Winery (4420 S. Cottage Grove Ave., Chicago, IL 60653) 
Bronzeville Winery is the product of a partnership between Eric Williams, the founder and owner of The Silver Room, an independent retail and community art space in Chicago, and global hospitality design trailblazer Cecilia Cuff of The Nascent Group. The restaurant is designed to encourage guests to socialize and network in an engaging, inviting space, and act as a cultural incubator for art and live music.  

Brown Sugar Bakery (328 E. 75th St., Chicago, IL 60619) 
Founded in 2002, Brown Sugar Bakery embodies the soulful essence of Southern desserts on Chicago’s South Side. From classic cakes to cobblers, pies, and cupcakes, the bakery weaves a tale of tradition and innovation, channeling the spirit of those who have crafted these flavors for generations.  

Buy the Pound Bakery (330 E. 51st St., Chicago Illinois) 
By the Pound Bakery is a local Chicago spot producing delicious desserts. Owner and baker Charmaine started baking cakes for her children’s birthday parties, and 20 years later began baking for a variety of events. In 2022, she decided to register as a Cottage Bakery, and in 2023, she moved Buy the Pound Bakery to a commercial kitchen at Boxville Market.  

Capital Pet Food & Supply (17500 S. Cicero Ave., Country Club Hills, IL 60478) 
Capital Pet Food & Supply is a family-owned store offering food and supplies for dogs, cats, fish, birds and other small animals.  

Carver 47 at Little Black Pearl (1050 E. 47^th St., Chicago, IL 60653) 
Carver 47 was founded by Chicago business leader Monica Haslip to create a common space that offers nourishing and accessible food and brings Chicagoans together. The café was designed to celebrate the legacy of agricultural scientist and inventor Dr. George Washington Carver and delivers treats right to your front door.  

Chocolat Uzma Sharif (917 W. 18th St., Suite 101, Chicago, IL 60608) 
Chocolat Uzma Sharif is a visionary chocolate brand founded by Chef Uzma Sharif that specializes in crafting exquisite chocolates, confections, ice cream, and pastries inspired by the vibrant and flavorful tapestry of Pakistan, India and the entire South Asian region. Chef Uzma is a first-generation Pakistani American and culinary expert with over 20 years of experience in the food industry.  

Growing Home 
Growing Home supports healthy people and communities through its urban farm and job training program. The organization provides 25 hours per week of paid on-the-job experience and job-readiness training at its farms, plus the support to conquer issues like criminal records, medical needs, childcare, and housing for its workers. Growing Home also offers cooking, gardening and farming workshops for all ages.  

Herb and Sip Tea Co. 
Herb and Sip Tea Co. makes teas based on Haitian culture. It aims to promote economic health and opportunity, physical and mental health, and a magnetic display of entrepreneurship for young adults.  

Inspiration Kitchens (3504 W. Lake St., Chicago, IL 60624) 
Located in the East Garfield Park, Inspiration Kitchens is the social enterprise restaurant and job training facility of Inspiration Corporation, a nonprofit with more than 30 years of experience providing services to Chicagoans experiencing homelessness and poverty. When you dine at its sit-down restaurant or use its catering services, proceeds go directly to support its programs.  

Justice of the Pies (8655 S. Blackstone Ave., Chicago, IL 60619) 
Justice of the Pies is a bakery that specializes in sweet and savory pies, quiches and tarts, while also aiming to positively impact the lives of others. Owner and head pastry chef Maya-Camille Broussard founded the bakery in honor of her late father, Stephen J. Broussard, a former criminal defense attorney with a passion for baking.  

Monday Coffee Company (3243 W. 16th St. Chicago, IL, 60623) 
Monday Coffee was founded by Amanda Christine Harth & Felton Edward Kizer. Their philosophy is that coffee is the cornerstone to making connections and networking. The coffee is roasted in Grand Rapids, MI and brewed in small batches in Chicago.  

Ms. Jana’s Candy (1649 Montgomery Rd., Unit 10, Aurora, IL 60504) 
Ms. Jana’s Candy, based in Aurora, Illinois, began in 2018 with the same recipes she used to make her mother over 12 years ago. Today, her mission is to provide sweet messages, one piece of delicious candy at a time.  

Ms. P’s Gluten Free 
Ms. P’s Gluten Free is on a mission to nourish communities and help people live longer and healthier lives. The store was founded by Lisa Marsh, who was inspired to make delicious gluten-free products after she experienced health issues leading to a change in diet. Today, you can purchase her products at more than 26 Chicagoland Whole Foods locations, 44 Mariano’s locations, and several other grocery stores.  

Star Farm (934 W. 50^th Pl., Chicago, IL 60609) 
Star Farm brings urban farmers, landscapers and culinary experts together to create a resilient food system through growing, sharing and celebrating food. The farm has multiple projects, programs, and initiatives to improve food access, including community gardens and a Disability Farmers program. It also offers monthly produce baskets through its community supported agriculture (CSA) program. 

Sugar Bliss (122 S. Wabash Ave., Chicago, IL 60603) 
Sugar Bliss is a woman minority-owned bakery in downtown Chicago that offers a variety of baked goods made from scratch using the highest quality, natural ingredients. The bakery’s founder, Teresa Ging, launched the catering and delivery side of the business with 20+ flavors in the Sugar Bliss cupcake collection before opening the first retail location in January 2009.  

Tasting India  
Tasting India is a queer, women of color-owned business based in Chicago that features a line of micro batch and handcrafted spice blends. Its mission is to showcase the versatility of spices across global culinary traditions. It has been featured on WGN, WBEZ, The Chicago Reader, Chicago Magazine, Chicago Eater, Block Club Chicago, and other media outlets.  

Taylor’s Tacos (1512 W. Taylor St., Chicago, IL 60607) 
Taylor’s Tacos is a catering company that specializes in street style tacos with soul. They believe in building community one taco at a time through interaction, connection and quality ingredients. 

Trice’s Original Slab BBQ (1918 E. 71st St., Chicago, IL 60649) 
Trice’s Original Slab BBQ is a Black-owned and woman-owned business in Chicago’s South Shore community that takes pride in providing the community with quality, wholesome, affordable meals. Co-owned by James and Tonya Trice, it’s setting a new standard for the best barbecue in the area.  

Tubby’s Taste  
Tubby’s Taste is a vegan cookie company that serves Jamaican-inspired treats. Tubby, its founder, comes from a long line of Jamaican cake ladies who worked to keep tradition and culture alive by making traditional Jamaican cakes and selling to folks in the community. She combines the hospitality and authenticity they instilled in her with the flavors of her culture to deliver delicious cookies.  

Urban Growers Collective (1200 W. 35th St. #118 Chicago, IL 60609) 
Urban Growers Collective is a Black-led and women-led nonprofit farm working to build a more just and equitable local food system. It is rooted in growing nourishing environments which support health, economic development, healing, and creativity through urban agriculture. The organization offers a CSA subscription program that allows members to receive weekly shares of fresh, local produce.  

Florists & Plant Shops 

Southside Blooms (6250 S. Morgan St., Chicago, IL 60621) 
A project of the Chicago Eco House, a nonprofit that uses sustainability to alleviate poverty, Southside Blooms is a florist on the South Side of Chicago that is dedicated to the environment and its surrounding communities. Every purchase creates jobs for at-risk youth, converts vacant lots into safe and productive community assets, and actively contributes to the health and resilience of the environment through regenerative farming practices.  

Nide Jardin (140 S. River St., Unit 106 Aurora, IL 60506) 
Nide Jardin is a Latine-led, female-led small business that offers a unique cacti and houseplant collection to pair with a variety of healing crystals and self-care products. It brings a diverse yet classic enterprise to the city of Aurora.  

Home Goods 

1819 Madera Designs 
1819 Madera Designs is a women and Latine-owned business that specializes in laser engraving and cutting on wood, MDF, acrylic, leather, and metals. The business creates a wide range of customizable décor and gifts, including corporate gifts, home décor, jewelry, and more.  

Areli’s Soy Candles 
Areli’s Soy Candles provide natural, artisan soy wax candles made with high quality fragrance oils. All products are 100 percent natural and handmade.  

Balloons by Daintee  
Balloons by Daintee’s mission is to provide clients with amazing, memorable decorations for their special occasion needs. The company offers everything from balloon walls to ceiling installations to even balloon artistry workshops.  

Black Planet Products (107 W. 95th St., Chicago, IL 60628) 
Black Planet Products has over 20 years of experience offering oils, butters, incense, art, and apparel from all over the world.  Products can be purchased in-store or online.  

Bright Endeavors 
A social enterprise of New Moms, Bright Endeavors provides young moms with a comprehensive, paid job training program where they gain career skills, a professional network, and a set of tools to help them thrive in their chosen profession. Every purchase from Bright Endeavors and its partners across the country directly supports its job training program.  

Chicago Tool Library (4015 W. Carroll Ave., Suite 101, Chicago, IL 60624) 
Located in the West Garfield Park neighborhood of Chicago, the Chicago Tool Library provides access to thousands of items that range from basic hand tools to table saws to ice cream makers to camping equipment. Membership is available for residents 18 years of age and older and for community groups.  

Firebird Community Arts 
Firebird Community Arts’ mission is to empower and connect people through the healing practice of glassblowing and ceramics. The organization offers highly personalized ceramics and glass blowing instruction from its warehouse-turned-art studio located in Chicago’s East Garfield Park neighborhood. Many of the ceramics created in these workshops are for sale on Firebird’s website. 

GoGoVie  
GoGoVie is a premium baby carrier for parents with active lifestyles. It offers seven unique positions.  

HHPLift  
HHPLift is a nonprofit social enterprise with a mission to advance economic stability by creating quality jobs for the people who need them most. The organization offers a one-stop shop where socially minded shoppers go to discover stunning, sustainably sourced and sustainably made artisanal products.  

K Shulada 
K Shulada is a unique, quality Mexican handcraft online store. It sells a variety of hand-crafted goods made by Mexican artisans.  

Mahalia’s Gift Shop (735 E. 79th St., Chicago, IL 60619) 
Mahalia’s Gift Shop is a curated selection of apparel, accessories, beauty products, and home goods, sourced from over 40 Black-owned brands from across Chicago. 

Max Candle Co.  
Max Candle Co. was founded by a mother and son team with Haitian roots. The company offers a variety of candle products and a subscription service box.  

Stoviink (330 E. 51^st St., Chicago, IL 60615) 
Stoviink is a Black-owned and woman-owned brand collective that specializes in the creative and performing arts. In addition to offering a variety of handcrafted and artisanal products, it hosts curated events celebrating the creativity of its collective.  

Wellness 

Haji Healing Salon (4448 S. Cottage Grove, Chicago, IL 60653) 
Haji Healing Salon is a vibrant social wellness enterprise, housing an herbal and botanic apothecary and dedicated space for healing and transformation. Its team are a diverse group of yogis, shamanic reiki practitioners, mystics, and healers, all with their own varied gifts and tools employed in service of the healing of their community.  

Studio Yogi (1840 E. 71st St. Chicago, IL 60649) 
Studio Yogi is a space for individual and collective wellness and yoga classes in the South Shore Community founded by Julia Perkins. It strives to be a welcome space for people of all body types and genders to have fun, socialize and experience the benefits that yoga has to offer.