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ENGLEWOOD — South Side businesses have gathered their fashionable gear, tasty treats and gift cards to make holiday shopping a breeze.
Newcomers Marie|Wesley and Momentum Coffee make buying gifts easy by providing food and fashion in a one-stop shop. TikTok historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas also has Chicago-pride merch available through his website.
Block Club gathered a few neighbor options to help you check off your gift list before those bells start jingling.
Here’s where you can shop:
Englewood
Englewood Branded, 1546 W. 63rd St. Website.
Every year, owner Corie Luckett debuts a line of colorful, eclectic clothing at Englewood Branded, which reps Englewood pride with style. Custom hoodies, shirts and sweaters — all with the shop’s laidback bear mascot — are available for all ages.
Shoppers can snag shirts with the mascot in various shades ($40) or pop out in color with the Mango Twist hoodie ($85). Button packs with an array of designs are also available ($6).
Most items are available online. Luckett’s store is also open noon-6 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. 773-912-6721.
Kusanya Cafe, 825 W. 69th St. Website.
Chicago’s independent coffee shops have struggled to recover financially following the pandemic. Phillip Sipka’s Kusanya Cafe in Englewood is one of the many. The nonprofit coffee shop has reduced hours, but it’s still serving up delicious sandwiches named after your favorite artists, steaming coffee and refreshing smoothies.
Fresh coffee roasted in Englewood is available in 12-ounce bags ($13). An Ethiopia blend offers smooth, fruity flavors, while a Wolf Blend is bright, fruity and floral. If you’re up for one more adventure in a year of surprises, choose the Origin of the Week flavor.
Coffee bags are available in the coffee shop or online. Open 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Monday-Friday. 773-675-4758.
Marie|Wesley, 1122 W. 63rd St. Website.
Marie|Wesley, a boutique consignment shop, has all your clothing needs in one space.
The apparel shop owned by Englewood native Nanette Tucker opened this summer inside the E.G. Woode commercial hub, a 4,000-square-foot retail and office hub, giving four businesses a space to operate. The shop sells designer clothes and handmade bags at an affordable price.
You can buy clothing, handbags, jewelry and accessories online at Marie|Wesley’s website. The shop is also open 7 a.m.-6 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. 312-877-6747.
Momentum Coffee Englewood, 1122 W. 63rd St. Website.
There’s nothing quite as perfect as buying two gifts in one location. Momentum Coffee Englewood, downstairs from Marie|Wesley in the commercial hub, has the delicious roasts you need to get the job done.
The coffee shop sells a variety of ground coffee bags ($18.50). Online, you can find mugs ($14) for the avid coffee drinker in your life and a thermos ($23) for your friends on the go.
Open 7 a.m.-noon Monday-Friday. 312-285-2808.
Southside Blooms, 6250 S. Morgan St. Website.
Southside Blooms founder Quilen Blackwell received $10,000 on the “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” this year to continue his passion for employing local youth and selling flowers in Englewood.
Surprise your favorite nature lover with a $45 bouquet subscription.
The farm-to-vase florist sells arrangements online. 773-358-4227.
Auburn Gresham
Chicago Mahogany. Website.
Tiktok historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas calls Auburn Gresham home, but his tours take Chicagoans throughout the city for lessons on local history.
When Thomas is not touring neighborhoods like Bronzeville, North Lawndale and Pullman, he sells Chicago-themed gear proclaiming his love for the city.
For the history buff you know and love, snag hoodies with Thomas’ Chicago-themed logo ($40) in his online shop. If you love the Windy City, score an Everything Dope About America Comes From Chicago shirt ($20). It’ll only be a matter of time until you see the slogan plastered on Thomas’ tour bus.
Chatham
Cinema Chatham, 210 W. 87th St. Website.
If you’re in need of a gift for a movie lover who’s sick of streaming, a gift card to Cinema Chatham Powered by Emagine might do the trick.
The theater celebrated its first year in business after opening in summer 2021. It offers luxury seats, a bar and cheesy popcorn to appease any moviegoer.
Shoppers can buy gift cards at the Chatham theater or buy an eGift card worth $20-$200.
Open 12:30-10 p.m. daily. 612-707-2684.
Aquatic Oasis, 1700 E. 87th St. Website.
Brandon Holmes used “every dime in his pocket” to open an aquatic shop that fosters tranquility.
At Aquatic Oasis, an array of colorful fish, plant life and aquarium supplies are for sale for anyone hoping to gift someone their first goldfish or expand a loved one’s at-home aquarium.
This season, Holmes is bringing the holiday cheer with an aquarium deal. For $100, you can buy a fish of your choice, paired with a tank, cleaning supplies and instructions for care.
If you’d rather leave the shopping up to your giftee, the store also offers gift cards.
Open 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. 773-595-3176.
Previous guides:
• 2021
• 2020
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