Far South CDC Marketplace is Open for Holiday Shopping

Far South CDC Marketplace is Open for Holiday Shopping

Shop and support 9 Black-owned small businesses from Chicago’s South Side this season, with free gift wrapping offered on-site from December 4–24

CHICAGO — The nonprofit Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is celebrating the kickoff of the holiday shopping season. The Marketplace is open now through December 31, 2024.

Programs at the Marketplace on Small Business Saturday include complimentary holiday photos, donuts and hot chocolate, festive craft projects for the whole family, on-site massages, raffles and more. A “Letters to Santa” drop box will be on-site for children to write and “send” their letters to Santa throughout the season. Additionally, the Far South CDC Marketplace is holding a winter coat and accessories drive for community members to drop off donations from Small Business Saturday through Tuesday, Dec. 24.

Free gift wrapping will be offered on-site at the Far South CDC Marketplace for all shoppers starting on Wednesday, Dec. 4 through Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2024.

Black-owned small businesses at the Far South CDC Marketplace include Be Original Clothing, Bomb Beauty Boutique, Cherish a Peace of Nature, Cosmic Creole, Javez Java Coffee Roastery, Kraft It Up, Max Candle Co, Naturals by Nette and Vessels of the Paut Neteru. These shops offer everything from stylish clothing and accessories to natural hair care, holistic health products, handmade wood carvings and artworks, aromatherapy candles, fresh roasted coffee and more.

The Far South CDC Marketplace (837 W. 115th Street, Chicago) is open now through December 31, 2024, from 12-6 p.m. daily. Participating small businesses manage their own hours throughout the week within this timeframe. The Small Business Saturday celebration Saturday, November 30 from 3-7 p.m. is free to attend, with registration online HERE. For more information and specific business hours, visit farsouthcdc.org/marketplace or call 773-831-7107.

For many of the participating small businesses, the Far South CDC Marketplace is their first storefront location. The Far South CDC Marketplace is open through December 31, 2024, with the support of a Storefront Activation Grant from the City of Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Small businesses at the Far South CDC Marketplace

Be Original Clothing speaks to those who have experienced rejection with a line of faith-based apparel that celebrates resilience and growth through life's challenges.

Bomb Beauty Boutique provides explosive looks at an affordable price, offering unique women's and men's clothing and accessories.

Cherish a Peace of Nature hair care products are infused with high quality essential oils, and enriched with premium natural and organic ingredients to nurture the scalp, skin and hair.

Cosmic Creole is a holistic health service aiding the mind, body and spirit through medicinal plants.

Javez Java Coffee Roastery is an independent roaster using only high-quality beans, with a selection of notes including spicy, nutty, fruity and earthy, providing a well-balanced coffee.

Kraft It Up specializes in trendy custom apparel, gifts and accessories for all occasions, as well as hosting craft workshops and classes throughout the Chicagoland area.

Max Candle Co provides holistic healing through aromatherapy, offering soy and beeswax blended scented candles in reusable containers.

Naturals by Nette sells handmade soap and body care products made from natural oils and butters.

Vessels of the Paut Neteru honors and shares the way of life of the ancestors, providing a large selection of Adinkra symbols and objects made from ebony wood, handmade in the U.S. and Africa.

Far South Community Development Corporation (Far South CDC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides strategic community-building services to residents and businesses in Chicago’s Far South Side neighborhoods and across south suburban Cook County. Far South CDC is one of the largest comprehensive community development organizations in the Chicago region that provides direct residential support, business assistance, and equitable development and planning services. The organization is a voice and advocate for economic, environmental and social justice for residents and businesses in the region. For more information, visit farsouthcdc.org.

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