[ad_1]
The West Side art scene and business environment have grown in recent years.
And with the holidays approaching fast, there’s no better time to support the artists who are working to turn the area into a creative hub and the entrepreneurs who are pushing pop-ups and neighborhood markets to fuel the economy of the West Side to crank up.
Block Club has put some of these stores together to make it easier for Chicago residents looking to shop locally and support the West Side businesses this Christmas season.
Here’s what you can buy:
Austin
Gone Again Travel and Tours, 5940 W. Chicago Ave. Website.
Participants on a Gone Again trolley tour pose at the travel agency’s headquarters. | Provided
Participants on a Gone Again trolley tour pose at the travel agency’s headquarters. | ProvidedDo you know someone who has to escape the brutal Chicago winter? Consider getting them a vacation package from Gone Again Travel and Tours, Chicago’s only stationary travel agency owned by black people.
The travel agency specializes in cultural tours of Africa that give black people the opportunity to reconnect with their history and traditions.
Gone Again Travel also offers local excursions and tours, including the Chi-Town Soul Trolley Tours ($ 45) that take participants around town. The Christmas Trolley Ride ($ 45- $ 60), scheduled for December 4th and 18th, will take you to the city’s most spectacular Christmas lights.
Call 773-417-8808 to schedule an appointment with Gone Again Travel or book online. Facebook.
Briana Janee Arts, online. Website.
The Movement is Magic series uses images of dance to represent various values embodied in black history and culture. | Briana Janee Art
The Movement is Magic series uses images of dance to represent various values embodied in black history and culture. | Briana Janee ArtIf you need a gift for an art lover, Austin-based artist Briana Janeé has prints of her watercolors for sale.
Janeé’s Movement is Magic collection (prints for $ 75) is notable for the bold colors and whimsical style that are a hallmark of her work. The series celebrates the beauty of Black history and the cultural values that enabled blacks to survive centuries of hardship. Each piece in the collection uses images of movement and dance to illustrate a different value such as resilience or compassion.
Prints can be ordered from the Briana Janeé Arts website. Instagram.
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats, 5957 W. Chicago Ave. Website.
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats offers gourmet popcorn combinations with cheese, flavorful cheese, and sweet cheese. | Provided
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats offers gourmet popcorn combinations with cheese, flavorful cheese, and sweet cheese. | ProvidedThis West Side dessert shop has all kinds of goodies to delight your friends and family with a sweet tooth.
In addition to the characteristic gelato flavors, the gourmet popcorns are crowd favorites at Bitoy’s Sweet Treats. Its sweet cheese popcorn is a twist on the iconic Chicago-style popcorn, with cheese and caramel flavors mixed together in each kernel. Its Chicago Fire popcorn has a touch of spiciness, and it also has a classic cheese flavor for those who can’t stand the heat.
Get all three flavors in the Cheese Collection ($ 70).
Bitoy’s Sweet Treats is open from Friday to Saturday from 12pm to 7pm. 773-417-3296. Instagram.
Jasmon Harper art, online. Website.
A painting by Jasmon Harper. | Provided
A painting by Jasmon Harper. | ProvidedAustin artist Jasmon Harper’s socially conscious art encompasses themes of black liberation and resilience. Her art shows many of the struggles black people face while recognizing the strength and power of those fighting for social justice.
Harper has original pieces for sale and also offers prints, posters, phone cases, mugs, pillow cases and tote bags featuring their art.
Order online. Email: jasmontheartist@gmail.com. Instagram.
Shea butter enriched with CBD from La Collection Mouja. | Provided
Shea butter enriched with CBD from La Collection Mouja. | ProvidedLa Collection Mouja, online. Website.
For a loved one who loves to be pampered, La Collection Mouja offers a variety of skin and hair care products based on shea butter.
The collection includes several CBD-infused products, such as a shea-based body butter ($ 24.99) and infused massage oils ($ 14.99).
Order online. 262-344-8275. Instagram.
North Lawndale
Gaia designs by Q, online. Website.
Gaia Designs by Q is a holistic wellness and jewelry store selling goods on the Black Wall Street Market. | Provided
Gaia Designs by Q is a holistic wellness and jewelry store selling goods on the Black Wall Street Market. | ProvidedQuianda James, often known as Kiki the Jeweler, started her holistic wellness and jewelry business as part of her journey to manage her health without relying on medication.
Gaia Designs by Q offers crystals, jewelry, herbs and essential oils. Their tonics with ingredients such as elderberry, moringa and soursop are suitable for people who are looking for a holistic path to wellbeing.
For those interested in astrology, check out Kiki’s jewelry and raw crystals, including jade, lapis lazuli, and rose quartz.
Connect on Facebook to browse the shop’s jewelry and remedies, or to ask for a custom-made piece. Instagram.
Strong herbal teas, online. Website.
Groovy herbal teas | Provided
Groovy herbal teas | ProvidedWhen the days get shorter and cooler, there is nothing more nourishing for the body, mind and soul than a warm cup of tea.
Groovy Herbal Teas offers various blends of sustainably grown teas. There are teas available that can support kidney health and immune system, help you relax, and give your digestive system a boost.
As the perfect gift for a tea connoisseur, order the sample box ($ 25) that comes with all 10 Groovy Herbal Teas blends.
Order online. 773-216-3484. Instagram.
Sweet Beginnings, 1111 S. Homan Ave. Website.
The beelove gift box contains a lip balm, a lotion and a shower peeling. | Provided
The beelove gift box contains a lip balm, a lotion and a shower peeling. | ProvidedThese honey products are made by Sweet Beginnings, a work readiness and professional training organization that empowers those returning from custody to find employment and contribute to their communities.
The skin care products are made with honey and beeswax sourced from local apiaries operated by the North Lawndale Employment Network.
Try the Pure Necessities Collection ($ 17), a gift box filled with lip balm, lotion, and shower gel made from honey and beeswax.
Order online or drop by the Beelove Café from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays. 773-639-1825. Instagram.
Garfield Park
Glass blowing at Firebird Community Arts | Provided
Glass blowing at Firebird Community Arts | ProvidedFirebird Community Arts, 2651 W. Lake St. Web site.
The hand-blown glass sculptures and Christmas decorations from Firebird Community Arts are more than just a stunning gift. The pieces of glass also help fund the nonprofit arts center’s therapeutic programs, which use art techniques such as glass blowing and ceramics to help young people cope with trauma.
The glass sculptures are created by local artists, including participants in the Project FIRE and FireWork programs, which offer trauma-informed self-help groups, professional training in the arts, and mentoring to support young people on the West Side.
Order from the Firebird Community Arts online store or register for the annual Christmas Bazaar on December 4th from 12pm to 5pm at 2651 W. Lake St. 773-907-0841. Instagram.
Flora’s angel, online. Website.
Flora’s Angels offers gift boxes with a variety of body butters and scrubs. | Provided
Flora’s Angels offers gift boxes with a variety of body butters and scrubs. | ProvidedFlora’s Angels makes luxury skin care products at affordable prices. Its body butter is designed to nourish the skin, and the company is dedicated to educating consumers about the ingredients they are using on their bodies.
The body butter comes in delicious scents such as peppermint, vanilla cake, pomegranate and cucumber pear (from $ 14.50). All skin care products are also organic.
Flora’s Angels offers gift sets that allow customers to choose up to six body butters and scrubs.
Order online. AliciaC@FlorasAngels.com. Instagram.
Caring for our mothers and daughters, online. Website.
A gift basket from Caring For Our Mothers and Daughters. | Provided
A gift basket from Caring For Our Mothers and Daughters. | ProvidedCaring For Our Mothers and Daughters, a West Side non-profit dedicated to helping women recover from their addictions, offers Christmas gift baskets designed by Jennie’Twin Baskets.
The baskets come with Christmas tree decorations, chain sets, champagne glasses and a bottle of champagne. There are also children’s baskets stocked with a variety of toys.
A portion of the proceeds from the gift baskets will go to Maria Shelter, a residential organization in Englewood that accommodates women and children.
The gift boxes can soon be ordered online.
Cocoa Chili, 135 N. Kedzie Ave. Website.
The cocoa-chilli spice has a characteristic sweet and spicy taste. | Provided
The cocoa-chilli spice has a characteristic sweet and spicy taste. | ProvidedThis Afro-Caribbean soulful restaurant on the West Side offers a bespoke gift for foodies and home cooks who enjoy bold yet unconventional flavors.
The $ 65 Cocoa Chilli Gift Box contains a collection of condiments, condiments, and sauces, plus a downloadable recipe book full of ways to use the flavorful and sweet ingredients. The box contains a spicy jerk sauce, a spicy mango sauce, the restaurant’s characteristic cocoa and chilli spice, a bottle of sorrel and a bottle of “Peppa sauce”.
Order online. 312-725-3170. Instagram.
Did we miss your favorite spot in the neighborhood? Do not worry about it! Add it to our Block Club Reader’s Guide due out in early December.
CONTACT: pascal@blockclubchi.org
[ad_2]
