Shop Local 2022: A Pilsen, Little Village And Back Of The Yards Gift Guide

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PILSEN — After difficult years for small businesses, the holidays are the perfect time to show local owners extra love.

To make it as easy as possible to support these local spots, Block Club rounded up a a handful of businesses in Pilsen, Little Village and Back of the Yards where you can grab gifts.

Here’s where you can shop:

Pilsen

The Hermosa Glow Up gift basket bundle includes hair products, body butter and a woven basket ($59.90).

VOLVERde. Website.

VOLVERde boasts a wide range of zero-waste products made from women-, Indigenous- and people-of-color-owned businesses. Two Southwest Side sisters launched the online market this summer.

You can find a set of four reusable napkins ($50), a tortilla warmer ($25) and woven placemats ($20), all made by Mexican artisans.

VOLVERde is also offering holiday gift baskets. The five bundles are available for pre-order here. It also offers gift cards.

Orders can be placed online. Instagram.

The wine membership comes with two bottles each month.

bummer wine club. Website.

You can gift someone a monthly membership to this natural wine club, which is based in Pilsen. Memberships include two thoughtfully selected bottles of wine ($68). Or, for current members and fans of the club, you can grab a long-sleeve shirt ($58) or a T-shirt ($46).

Merchandise and wine club memberships can be bought online. Instagram.

Owner Jessica Elabed opened Slayed earlier this month, after over a year working out of a commercial suite in the neighborhood and offering mobile services before that.

Slayed, 1840 S. Racine Ave. Website.

Slayed Salon opened in Pilsen this year, offering neighbors a one-stop shop for beauty needs.

For anyone wanting to give the gift of pampering or self-care, Slayed is offering gift certificates for all services, including eyebrow threading ($22) or an 80-minute zen beauty facial ($130).

Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. daily. Instagram. 773-920-0660.

For folks who like to get their hands dirty, you can gift a single pottery workshop or a series of sessions.

GnarWare Workshop, 1838 W. Cermak Road. Website.

This Pilsen-based pottery studio offers classes for adults and kids at any skill level. Gift single workshops, a series of classes or a monthly membership.

Workshops and memberships can be bought online.

Hours are 12-8 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday. 312-479-1013.

This East Pilsen shop sells tons of flowers and home decor.

Strewn, 1827 S. Halsted St. Website.

This floral and home decor shop offers tons of gift possibilities for the homemakers in your life, including embroidered pillows, candles and, of course, flowers. You can also gift weekly or monthly floral deliveries or a customized subscription.

Open 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and noon-5 p.m. Sundays. Services and subscriptions can be ordered online. 312-929-3979.

Little Village

Comercio Popular, 2901 W. Cermak Road.

After doing pop-ups for years, a Pilsen native opened his store this year to uplift Mexican-made products and designs. You can shop for unique pieces, including bags made from up-cycled plastic from Jalisco, huaraches made in Oaxaca and skirts from Mexico City.

Hours are 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays and 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Sundays. You can message about product availability. Instagram.

Bueno Days, online. Website.

Two Little Village residents launched a coffee-website and pop-up service to support Mexican coffee companies. They’re selling beans to support women coffee producers in Chiapas. An 8-ounce bag of beans is $20 and a 5-pound bag is $75.

Pop-up hours vary. Instagram.

Del Pueblo Barbers and Records, 3051 W. Cermak Road. Website.

This music store and barbershop crossover sells vinyl records and throwback cassette tapes with a focus on Spanish-language artists, which will be perfect for the music collectors in your life.

Open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Thursdays and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. Sundays.

Back Of The Yards

La Selva, online and sold at Back of the Yards Coffeehouse, 2059 W. 47th St. Website.

This neighborhood spot offers apparel for people who love their Southwest Side roots and aren’t afraid to show it. You can get a retro Back of the Yards beanie in black or purple ($25), slides with Chicago flag details ($28) and a “Born & Raised Back of the Yards” cap ($25).

You can shop online or at Back of the Yards Coffeehouse, 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday and 8 a.m-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Instagram.

Paraíso de Aves, 1836 W. 47th St. Website.

This Back of the Yards store could be your one-stop shop for animal lovers. The shop sells food, treats, habitats and accessories for a variety of animals, including hamsters, lizards and even scorpions. Grab aquarium decor or a set of new bird toys.

Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sundays. 773-475-7262.

Back of the Yards’ Whiner Beer Co. offers gift certificates to their brewery and taproom and 6-packs of their beers.

Whiner Beer Co., 1400 W. 46th St. Website.

For brewery fans, Whiner Beer Company sells six-packs of its beloved, whimsically designed beers in liquor stories across the city — and in its taproom. You can find a pack of Inside Beer: Cold IPA ($12), Monsieur Monster: Pineapple Sour ale ($8) or Lil Why PALS: Premium American Lager ($10).

You can also give gift certificates through its website so people can try out the brewery and taproom.

The brewery and taproom is open 4-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday, noon-11 p.m. Saturdays and 1-8 p.m. Sundays. Instagram. You can pick up beer during taproom hours.

Previous guides:

• 2021

• 2020

Do you own a shop or want to boost a local business during the holidays? Submit its information here and we’ll add it to a reader gift guide! It’ll come out in early December.