It’s important to circulate dollars in the neighborhood you live. The Shop AV72 Travel Guide was a showcase of eight local businesses on Chicago Avenue. We’ve actually never been inside the Chicago Public Library West Chicago Ave Branch.
Nick Cave, the trained dance performer with Alvin Ailey also creates fabric sculptures. His works at the library were designed specifically with the Austin Branch in mind. There’s an entire wall dedicated to Queen and Kings of Africa at this location.
Aside from the librarians suggesting that there’s no reason Santa cant be a woman next year, the jewel of the showcase may have been the soulful styling of Kai Brown. Fly Kai songbird vocals effortlessly filled Brown Sugar Bakery & Schweets Cheesecake on the route. Recently Kai was a finalist in the Windy City Live “Search For A Star” competition. The entire scene felt like an episode of NPR’s live web video series, Tiny Desk Concerts.
Last time we came close to strolling Chicago Ave in this fashion was The Peace in Austin Mandela Block Party. Regardless of where you live, it makes too much sense to shop in that area…especially if those people look just like you.
-Nkosi
Other Notes:
Featured Businesses
Brown Sugar Bakery, 4800 W. Chicago Ave
Soulful Feelgood Small Business Saturday Performances by Flykai/kaibvocals
Schweet Cheesecake, 5051 W. Chicago Ave
Sweet Sounds Holiday Sing-Along
Chicago Public Library, 4856 W. Chicago Ave
Santa & Story Time
Chic’s Elite Hair & Nail Salon 5234 W. Chicago Ave
$20 Off Quick Weaves
Gigi’s Food Mart, 5053 W. Chicago Ave
Vicky’s Place, 611 N. Cicero Ave
3 Perch + 3 Wings $9.99 w free pop
Customers who posted a picture of their receipt from one of our featured businesses to our socials were entered into a $50 Visa Gift Card
