In honor of Black History Month, we’re featuring black-owned businesses in our backyard. While Black History Month takes place in February, we’re fortunate to be able to support and enjoy these local establishments all year round!
Catering
Take your at-home dining options to the next level with Babito’s Bites. Chef/Owner Rob Collins offers customized catering menus for private parties as well as at-home meal services, with a focus on gluten-free and grain-free alternatives to classic dishes. Orders can be sized for parties as small as two and as large as 250 and include consultation, ingredient shopping, and food delivery. For a consultation or order, visit the site.
African Cuisine
Travel across the African continent without leaving the Rogers Park area by dining on authentic Nigerian dishes at K I African Restaurant and Senegalese favorites at Badou Senegalese Cuisine. Both restaurants feature home-style cooking with options for different palates and dietary needs. In addition to traditional African meals, you can try fusion creations like Nigerian Spaghetti or Badou Soul Food Delight. 7131 N. Clark (K I African) and 2049 W. Howard St (Badou).
Caribbean Cuisine
Sample a wide range of bakery items at Caribbean American Bakery’s retail store, which also has a thriving wholesale business supplying numerous Chicago-area establishments with its Jamaican Style baked goods. While the name “bakery” tends to be associated with sweets, they also offer jerk cuisine and savory dishes like Jamaican beef, chicken, and vegetable patties. 1539 W. Howard St.
Hair Care
Flowers Beauty Salon and Boutique – Get a basic blowout or change your look with a new “do.” Right in Rogers Park, Flowers Beauty Salon and Boutique offers a full range of hair services, including “sew-in, blowout, finger-wave, pressing, crotchet, haircut, hot curls, pin curls, braiding and dreadlocks.” 1949 W. Howard St.
The Indigo Room – In River North, visit The Indigo Room for hair, body, and face treatments with a focus on inclusivity. From a beard tint to a color blend to a full cut/highlight/style, this woman- and black-owned salon offers a wide variety of services. 210 W Kinzie St.
Home Décor
Freshen up a single chair or restyle your entire home with Rogers Park’s Chicago Upholstery & Drapery Co. The business provides a breadth of reupholstery and drapery services for residential and commercial clients, including interior designers. Like DIY? They run the Chicago Upholstery Academy, with multiple options for classes in upholstery and soft goods (sewing). 7101 N Ridge Blvd.
Businesses with Online Ordering
Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery – Head down to Wicker Park to visit the only black woman-owned bookstore in Chicago (or order online). The store features a gallery space with rotating art exhibits and events ranging from author readings to cocktail flights with book/drink pairings. The store is community-focused and holds a monthly “Clear the Shelves” event which allows CPS students to choose books free of charge. 515 N. Halsted St.
Justice of the Pies – Founder Maya-Camille Broussard honors her late father, criminal defense attorney Stephen J. Broussard, in a meaningful and delicious way. Justice of the Pies partners with the Cabrini Green Legal Aid (CGLA), so every tasty slice of pie supports a good cause too. Enjoy old favorites like Caramel Apple or new flavors like Bleu Cheese Praline Pear. (Multiple locations).
Chicago is full of diverse people and vibrant communities. While we are glad to have so many black-owned businesses nearby, we also encourage you to explore more black-owned enterprises across Chicago.
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