Shopping with Storycatchers Theatre

In the spirit of Black History Month, Storycatchers staff and youth compiled a list of 28+ Black-owned businesses that value representation and community. We’re celebrating brick and mortar options for Chicago locals and great online shops for our out-of-town followers. 

Happy Black History Month and happy shopping! 

Purchase from Storycatchers’ Ensemble Members

Our ‘Shop Black-Owned with Storycatchers’ list starts with businesses founded and owned by current ensemble members and alumni of our Changing Voices post-release program. 

Merch Chicago 

Founded by a DA, a Changing Voices alum from the Saucy CV Ensemble, Merch Chicago is a streetwear brand dedicated to the city. Its online store is full of screen-printed designs showing off love for Chicagoans (regardless of their 312 or 773 area code 😀). 

The Ingenious Brand

Founded by Leeko, also from the Saucy CV Ensemble, The Ingenious Brand is an Instagram-only store (for the time being) with the mission of making clothing that looks and feels original and inventive. Make sure to send him a selfie after you receive your purchase! 

Lived Through Hell 

This collection of poetry by a current member of Changing Voices, Zarria, “is devoted to all those who feel alone. If you’ve ever faced rape, abandonment, betrayal, or heartbreak – You are not alone. Live to tell your story.”

Our Favorite Chicago and Online Shops

Below are Black-owned businesses recommended by Storycatchers staff and youth. Each recommendation represents our values of community, relationship building, and healing through our stories.

Clozet Essentials

Clozet Essentials empowers women with sophisticated apparel that reflects their inner confidence. A great reason to hit up the mall!

Afrohemien

Afrohemien is a curated collection of Afrocentric handmade jewelry, cultural goods, and vintage finds that reflect the beauty of African and Black Culture.

Silver Room

Silver Room is a creative space encouraging the growth of the community, personal expression, and resources by intersecting art within the community, and culture.

Sultry Steps

Sultry Steps offers runway-level fashion for 21st-century women. Apparel is described as “Sensual, Sexy and Functional.”

Englewood Branded 

The Englewood Branded store is a love letter to the neighborhood. The space doubles as a haven for Chicago youth, providing safe opportunities to express themselves.

Mimi’s Tot Closet

Mimi’s Tot’s Closet sells the cutest outfits for infants and toddlers you’ll ever see. They are located inside Mimi’s Vanity Room, which hosts ‘sassy’ spa, paint, and slime birthday parties!

Kiwi’s Boutique

Kiwi’s Boutique combines a genuine love for fashion with a vision of providing an elite clientele with on-trend, on style, and on-budget selections.

Found Objects

Found Objects is an online shop selling statement accessories. The woman who wears Found Objects is classic, fierce, powerful & graceful.

Bronzeville Boutique

Bronzeville Boutique has modern fashions for women, including plus sizes, plus size & trendy footwear, since 1991.

Jojayden

Jojayden specializes in crafting luxury suits and shoes from only the best in Italian and British fabrics. Plus, everything is customizable!

The Work Spot

The Work Spot is our go-to for custom shirts in the city. All of our favorite Storycatchers swag is thanks to their swift and high-quality customer service.

Kido

Kido is a brand with a mission. Their clothing and books represent children of color, kids with disabilities, and nontraditional families.

An Orange Moon

An Orange Moon is Chicagoland’s #1 stop for vintage art and decor. They also offer their services for interior design projects!

Semicolon Bookstore & Gallery 

Semicolon Bookstore is a community space committed to nurturing the connection between literature, art, and the pursuit of knowledge.

Bundles of Joy 

Bundles of Joy specializes in hair extensions and installs. It’s an Instagram business, so use the number on their page to place local and national orders.

Hyde Park Hair Salon

Hyde Park Hair Salon’s friendly and quality service has drawn successful clientele during the past 83 years including celebrities like Spike Lee, Muhammad Ali, Harold Washington, and President Barack Obama.

Bettye O Day Spa

Bettye O Day Spa specializes in first-class treatments that nurture and relax each guest with individualized and innovative therapeutic techniques.

 

Jordan’s Beauty Supply

Jordan’s Beauty Supply has been providing customized haircare solutions for customers & professionals for 43 years.

TGIN 

TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural) products cater to natural hair. Their products are reasonably priced solutions to dry, unmanageable curls.

CurlMix

CurlMix delivers high-quality hair care products that meet the hair care needs of Black women. They’ve curated a 4-step styling technique to moisturize hair and get what they call the ‘Best Wash and Go.’

Iris Botanicals

Iris Botanicals boasts of helping women restore their hair strength and length. Don’t forget to check out their renowned skincare line too.

Forty Acres Fresh Market

Forty Acres Fresh Market‘s mission is to increase access to affordable, high-quality, fresh food in underserved areas. This Black-owned project operates as a grocery delivery service and pop-up market provider.

Batter and Berries 

The idea behind Batter and Berries is simple: offer the freshest food possible with flavors that people would come from all over the world to experience.

Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat

Can’t Believe It’s Not Meat makes transitioning into a plant-based diet easy with vegetarian/vegan versions of your favorite dishes. The restaurant is a must-stop for famous vegan, Tabitha Brown!

Two Fish Crab Shack

Two Fish Crab Shack is a fun-filled seafood boil destination where patrons come and escape into flavor paradise. Boil bags and their irresistible 3 The Chi Way are available to be shipped.

 

Brown Sugar Bakery

Brown Sugar Bakery is a southern-style bakeshop specializing in traditional sweet treats, custom cakes, and a curated line of gourmet hand-crafted chocolates. All goodies ship nationwide.

Funkytown Brewery

Funkytown Brewery is a Black-owned brewery in Chicago serving up beers with chill 90’s vibes. Check out where they will be popping up next by following them on social media.

The Hot Dog Box

The Hot Dog Box is serving up hot dogs with a gourmet twist! Run by father and daughter, this spot fills our hearts with joy and our stomachs with amazing recipes.

 

Shopping cart not full yet?

We hope to see you at our favorite spots or to catch you rocking some of these amazing products the next time you’re a Storycatchers Theatre audience member. If you’re still craving more Black excellence, be sure to check out these lists of businesses and restaurants:

The Black Parade Route
Black People Eats
Black-Owned Chicago
Supporting Black-Owned for Parents