How to Support Black-Owned Businesses in Chicago in 2022

At Olive Well, supporting the community isn't just about talking each other up on social media or writing a one-off interview for our Map Project. We strongly believe in putting money back into the city we love so much. This Black History Month, Compass Chicagoland helped us prepare a list of some incredible Black-owned businesses for you to support and patronize all year long. We are excited to support these local entrepreneurs and we hope you are too!

The list is broken up by South, West, North, and Downtown neighborhoods, and then sub-divided into categories like food, drink, self-care, wellness, and clothing.

Next time you're looking for a good date night, or you just need to rejuvenate after a long week at work, we encourage you to visit these fabulous businesses below...

South

Bronzeville, Chatham, Englewood, Grand Boulevard, Greater Grand Crossing, Grand Crossing, Hyde Park, Kenwood, South Commons, South Shore, Stony Island, Washington Park

FOOD:

• Peaches Restaurant: Breakfast, Lunch

• 5 Loaves: Breakfast, Lunch

• Eméché: Bakery, cafe

• Mabe’s Deli: Sandwiches

• Friistyle: Pomme Fries

• Uncle Remus SFC: Chicken

• Mikkey’s Retro Grill: Burgers

• Doughboys: Comfort Food and “the world famous Spaghedough”

• Flamingo Restaurant: American

• Nita’s Gumbo: Cajun

• Ja’ Grill: Jamaican

• Virtue Restaurant: Southern

• Surfs Up: Seafood

• Two Fish Crab Shack: Seafood

• The Soul Shack: Soul food

• Soul Vegetarian Food: Vegetarian soul food

• Majani: Vegan soul food

• B’Gabs Goodies: Vegan, raw

• Luella’s Southern Kitchen: Soul Food with a modern twist (so good)

• Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat: Vegetarian

• Litehouse Whole Food Grill: Natural Food and Free meals for hungry

• Shawn Michelle’s Homemade Ice Cream: Desserts

• Brown Sugar Bakery: Dessert

• Kilwins Hyde Park: Dessert

BEVERAGES:

• Some Like it Black: Creative arts bar

• Sip and Savor: Coffeehouse

• South Shore Brew: Coffeehouse

FITNESS AND SELF CARE:

• Hyde Park Barber Studio: Hair

• 13th Flow: Fitness, remote training

• 360 Mind Body Soul: Group Fitness

• Bettye O Day Spa: Spa

• Culture Connection 360: Natural Health products

CLOTHING:

• Divinity 7: Clothing

• Sir and Madame: Clothing

• The Silver Room: Apparel, jewelry, home goods, gifts

West

Austin, East Garfield Park, Greektown, Humboldt Park, Little Italy, Pilsen, West Loop, West Town, Wicker Park

FOOD:

• Jay’s Backyard BBQ: Barbeque

• Crazy Bird: Chicken

• Ina Mae Tavern: Comfort Food

• Turkey Chop: Turkey-centric comfort food

• The Delta: Tamale-heavy comfort food

• Flavors Southern Cooking: Soul Food

• MacArthur’s Restaurant: Soul Food

• Soule: Creole seoul food

• J Spice: Caribbean

• Luxury Cake Company: Custom Cakes

• Tubby’s Taste: Vegan desserts

• Schweet Cheesecake: Desserts

BEVERAGES:

• Everybody’s Busy: Coffee Shop

FITNESS AND SELF CARE:

• 3 Sinks Salon: Hair

• Timeout at Shanon’s: Hair

• Van Cleef Salon: Hair

• Eb and Flow: Yoga

• Chatto: Hair and Skincare

CLOTHING:

• Leaders1354: Clothing, hats, shoes

• Shine King: Shoe shine and repair

HOME:

• Semicolon Bookstore: Books

• An Orange Moon: Furniture

• Plant Salon: Plants

North

Andersonville, Edgewater, Lake View, Lincoln Park, North Center, Ravenswood, Rogers Park, Uptown

FOOD:

• Batter & Berries: Breakfast, lunch

• Frances’ Deli and Brunchery: Breakfast, lunch

• Lizzy J Cafe: Breakfast, lunch

• Luelle’s Southern Kitchen: Comfort Food

• Ms T’s Chicken: Comfort Food

• Urban Grill Chicago: Comfort Food

• Bettie Lou’s: European, Asian, and Island

• Demera: Ethiopian

• Ras Dashen: Ethiopian

• Kizin Creole: Haitian

• Life’s Sweet Inc.: Desserts

BEVERAGES:

• Kyoto Black Coffee: Cold Brew coffee

• Long Room Chicago: Bar and coffeehouse

FITNESS AND SELF CARE:

• Kenny Mac’s Barbershop: Hair

• Wholistic Skincare Chicago: Spa

• Bodi Shak: Group Fitness

• Free MVMT: Fitness studio and virtual wellness classes

HOME:

• Recycled Modern: Furniture

• Greer Chicago: Stationary, gifts

Downtown

Loop, Near North Side, Near South Side, South Loop, West Loop

FOOD:

• Eleven|Eleven: American

• Taste 222: American

• The Powerhouse Restaurant: African

• Mr Brown’s Lounge: Jamaican

• Mogadishu Restaurant: Somalian

• Windy City Ribs: Barbecue

• The Grail Cafe: Cafe and coffeehouse

• Tea Pot Brew Bakery: Baked goods

BEVERAGES:

• Stivers Coffee: Coffee roaster

• 1340 Beer Wine Spirits: Wine and craft beer store

• FruVe Express: Juicery

• Persona Lounge: Cocktail lounge

• Sage Room: Cocktails and food

HOME:

• Kido: Children’s books, toys, and clothing

• Love Peridot: Accessories, gifts