Celebrating Chicago-Owned Small Businesses

Harold Washington at the Chatham Business Association, November 10, 1984Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives and Collections, Photographs, Box 11, Folder 10, Photo 29a

Aggen’s Greenhouse, circa 1900Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, LCCC, Photo 1.3

Storefront window, Marjorie’s Beauty Shop, Chicago, 1918Source: Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers, [Box 48, Folder 442], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

Tokyo Marine Restaurant, circa 1990Source: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Robert W. Krueger Photograph Collection

Sign over Moishe Pippic’s deli, circa 1960sSource: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Robert W. Krueger Photograph Collection

Crawford Coal & Feed Co., 1915Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, LCCC, Photo 1.8

Hutcheson’s,Near West Side-West Madison Skid Row, 1960Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, DUR Photos, Box 21, Folder 15, Photo 50

Charlie Soo, Head of the Asian American Small Business Association, 1993Source: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Robert W. Krueger Photograph Collection

Johnson’s Hat Shop. Eddie Johnson, hatter with Rudolph, Shirley, Pearl, Ruby and Betty Johnson and granddaughter Peverly PalmerSource: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, BNL, Photo 2.12

Exterior view of Al Khayam Restaurant & Lounge, March 3 1989Source: Chicago Public Library, Sulzer Regional Library, Northside Neighborhood History Collection, Robert W. Krueger Photograph Collection

Poro College booth at trade show, demonstrating cosmetic techniques, with inset photo of Annie Turnbo Malone, Chicago, 1939Source: Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers, [Box 48, 445], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

Ada’s Lounge, Ada Mae Barnes on left, circa 1940sSource: Timuel D. Black, Jr. Papers [Box 191, Folder 141], Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, Chicago Public Library

Brent’s Grill in Woodlawn, 1956Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, DUR Photos, Box 25, Folder 12, Photo 4

Harold Washington at the Women’s Business, September 18, 1983. Photographed by Antonio B. Dickey.Source: Chicago Public Library, Special Collections, Harold Washington Archives and Collections, Photographs, Box 3, Folder 47, Photo 25a

Waiting room and booths at MS Joyner’s first salon, Chicago, 1916Source: Marjorie Stewart Joyner Papers, [Box 48, Folder 442], Chicago Public Library, Woodson Regional Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature

This holiday season, one way to give thanks to your community is by buying locally. In all 77 (or more) neighborhoods in Chicago, you’re certain to find a reason to celebrate small business. And check out these photos from our special collections for more reasons to celebrate Chicago business through the years.

Business information has changed significantly over the decades. While in the past there were trade catalogs and phone books (remember those?), now this information is largely found online. Websites highlight specific types of businesses; for example, on Bossy Chicago you can find businesses owned by women or non-binary people, or you can support black business owners via Black Owned Chicago. Looking for trusted information on a specific business? Browse CPL's Business and Money Online Resources for directories and public records similar to the trade publications of yesteryear.

Information about neighborhood businesses, past and present, is available in CPL’s Special Collections and Preservation Division at Harold Washington Library Center. Most neighborhoods are represented with a neighborhood collection either at Special Collections, Sulzer Regional Library’s Northside Neighborhood History Collection or Woodson Regional Library’s Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection. We also have books on small businesses.