SOUTHSIDE BLOOMS OPENS FILLMORE CENTER LOCATION IN NORTH LAWNDALE, EXPANDING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

SOUTHSIDE BLOOMS OPENS FILLMORE CENTER LOCATION IN NORTH LAWNDALE, EXPANDING YOUTH EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

New Location on Chicago’s West Side Will Create 20+ Jobs For West Side Youth, Expanding Pathways To Paid Training And Local Careers

CHICAGO -– The Fillmore Center, a dynamic business hub in North Lawndale, announced Southside Blooms as its newest tenant, expanding youth employment opportunities and economic development on Chicago’s West Side. Founded in Englewood in 2019, the social enterprise florist is growing its mission of sustainability and community empowerment with a second shop that will employ up to 20 local youth from ages 16 - 24, with additional hiring opportunities expected in the months ahead.

Founded by Quilen and Hannah Blackwell, Southside Blooms began as a project of Chicago Eco House to harness the social impact florists can have in their communities. The nonprofit farm-to-vase florist transforms Chicago’s once-vacant lots into thriving, sustainable flower farms, beautifying neighborhoods while providing meaningful employment for local youth and a career path in the floral industry.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Southside Blooms as the newest addition to the Fillmore Center and the North Lawndale community at large,” said Patricia Ford, Executive Director of Steans Family Foundation, one of a network of community partners that developed Fillmore Center. “Through meaningful employment opportunities and a demonstrated commitment to community impact, Southside Blooms will bring tremendous value to the neighborhood. They’ve had a powerful, lasting presence in Englewood, and we’re excited to see that impact expand here in North Lawndale.”

The Southside Blooms urban farm network now spans more than 10 acres across Woodlawn, Englewood, Pilsen, West Garfield, Cook County Jail and Gary, Indiana. The organization has received national recognition for its innovative work, with its floral arrangements featured at the Field Museum and Democratic National Convention. Southside Blooms’ new location at the Fillmore Center marks the business’s first permanent location outside of Englewood since its opening six years ago.

“We’re grateful to the community we’ve built on the South Side, and establishing a permanent location in North Lawndale will enable us to exponentially expand our impact,” said Southside Blooms founder Quilen Blackwell. “We look forward to operating out of the Fillmore Center, tapping into the amazing community of young people in North Lawndale, and offering valuable opportunities for employment and learning.”

Southside Blooms will officially open at the Fillmore Center in the spring. The Fillmore Center is a dynamic business hub located in Chicago’s North Lawndale neighborhood, designed to drive economic inclusion, job creation and community wealth. Anchored by locally-owned industrial-scale operations, such as Fillmore Linen Service and Black-owned coffee roastery Kribi Coffee, the Fillmore Center brings together diverse enterprises that share a commitment to community impact.

For more information about Southside Blooms, please visit www.southsideblooms.com. Learn more about the Fillmore Center at www.fillmorecenter.com.

Located at 4100 W. Fillmore St. in Chicago, the Fillmore Center is an emerging economic engine in North Lawndale dedicated to job creation, small business support, and the development of community-based assets. Home to numerous businesses, the Center brings employment opportunities to the North Lawndale community while fostering entrepreneurial growth. By supporting local enterprises and promoting economic activity, the Fillmore Center plays a vital role in the ongoing revitalization and prosperity of North Lawndale.


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