- Credibility:
DOWNTOWN — A new cultural pop-up showcasing local Ukrainian retailers is now open in the Wrigley Building Downtown.
Credit: World Business Chicago c Ukraine, located at 410 N. Michigan Ave., is made possible through a collaboration with the City of Chicago and World Business Chicago. Since 2021, World Business Chicago has been using a three-year, $10.5 million grant to open pop-ups in vacant stores along the Magnificent Mile.
The organization covers the cost for the build-out, rent and utilities, while offering a prime location to a selected retailer through a “request for proposal” process.
The first pop-up, Colores Mexicanos, opened in 2021 and has stayed open on Michigan Avenue after initial financial help from World Business Chicago. Two other pop-ups that were temporarily open focused on selling goods from Argentina and Nordic countries.
Now, c Ukraine has taken over the spot and will be open seven days a week from 11 a.m.-7 p.m. through Oct. 13.
Guests will be able to buy homemade Ukrainian pastries from Shokolad Pastry & Cafe and shop handmade Ukrainian goods from Casapolis and It’s Oksana.
The ground-floor retail store was designed by local Ukrainian architect Vladimir Radutny and features an open layout, blue and yellow accents with seating throughout the space for guests to relax.
Credit: World Business Chicago “We eagerly look forward to hosting residents and tourists into the new Ukrainian pop-up, celebrating the country’s enduring connections that are woven into the fabric of Chicago, especially important during this challenging time in that country’s history,” said Kenya Merritt, the city’s deputy mayor of Business and Neighborhood Development.
c Ukraine’s opening will be followed by another cultural showcase pop-up opening in mid-July called the Culture Exchange. It will feature Chicago-based retail and food businesses from Colombian, Kyrgyz, Pakistani and Polish cultures.
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