Shining the Spotlight on Chicago’s Black Urban Businesses

1. So Go Chicago

Credits via Instagram @sogochicago

     Starting strong, “So Go Chicago” is a vibrant urban wear brand that reaches audiences beyond their graphics and cool designs. “So Go”, known for their motivational slogans on t-shirts such as “cool chi kid” and “follow your dreams” represents the tenacity and strength of the Chicago- native, unwavering in resilience and creativity. The brand was birthed after the death of the owner, Mike’s best friend as a love letter to him, a young Chicago boy gone too soon. In his friend’s memory, Mike has etched the hope of the Chicago youth in every brand thread.

Visit So Go Chicago at:
113-125 N Green St, Chicago, IL 60607
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/SoGoChicago

2. Noir Atelier

      Snakeskin, cool fonts, and conventionality are the name of this brand. Correction, it’s actually “Noir Atelier”, a term coined to mean “Black Studio” owned by Frankie Fabre and Shawn Gibbs, who launched Noir Atelier as an affordable but worthy alternative to other luxury brands. Leveling up to sit their name next to other Chicago household names, the owners of Noir Atelier represent the city beyond fashion, like many of the brands on this list.

Visit Noir Atelier at:
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/noiratelierparis
FB/ https://www.facebook.com/noiratelierparis/

3. Sir and Madame

      Couple fashion? Don’t mind if we do! Sir and Madame is a his and hers brand started by fashion duo Brian and Autumn Meritt. A couple themselves, Brian and Autumn intended for their brand to represent the best of both men’s and women’s fashion, vowing to create a brand that takes couples apparel up a level! Sir and Madame previously occupied a brick-and-mortar storefront in Hyde Park, but now, it is exclusively online. Just a click away for you and your lover to look your best! But what if you have no beau? No fear! With an extended range of lounge and casual wear, from hats to hoodies, Sir and Madame offers elevation to personal style, regardless of relationship status.

Visit Sir and Madame at:
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/sirandmadame/
FB/ https://www.facebook.com/SirandMadameChicago
Twitter/X/ https://x.com/sirandmadame 

4. Chicago Over Everything/ Lake Shore Design Lab

      Very few cities come close to capturing summertime Chi, so it’s no surprise that Chicago is over everything when it comes to comfort and style! With pride in the city that seeps into the fibers of their materials, this fashionable clothing brand is located in the heart of Chicago’s bustling Wicker Park neighborhood. Recently Chicago Over Everything expanded to become The Lakeshore Design Lab, a media firm that has used the success of the Chicago Over Everything name and reputation to platform the city and spirit of Chicago in groundbreaking ways.

Visit Chicago Over Everything at:
836 N. Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, Illinois 60642 
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/chicagoovereverything
FB/ https://www.facebook.com/chicagoovereverything
Twitter/X/ https://twitter.com/chiovereverything

5. Succezz

Credits via @SuccezZTheStore

Credits via https://succezzthestore.com/

Credits Via Instagram @/succezzthestore
per @studiomgcco

     Speaking of Success, Succezz The Store is the definition personified! A store with so much swag you got to say it with a Z, Succezz was founded in 2008 when Lavelle Sykes and former NBA forward Bobby Simmons took their talents to footwear. Earning bragging rights for a collab with Nike through the Jordan shoe brand, amongst other accomplishments, the Succezz appeals to all because we all want to be successful! And we want to look successful too! This is why it’s no wonder that this boutique has remained a pillar of Chicago’s fashion scene including Chicago rapper G Herbo who has succezzfully utilized the brand for his music videos.

Visit Succezz at:
2214 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL 60616
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/succezzthestore/
FB/ https://www.facebook.com/succezz/ 

6. The Silver Room

Sources via https://thesilverroom.com/

    The Silver Room is just as cool as it sounds; it’s actually cooler! Rare in its mission as a community-centered space for artists to thrive and collaborate, The Silver Room transcends fashion and fosters the warmth of community and artistic expression. Located within the mecca of Hyde Park, a neighborhood rich in culture and collectivity, The Silver Room was founded in 1997 and continues to shine in a list of Chicago favorites, just like the name suggests!

Visit The Silver Room at:
1506 E 53rd St, Chicago, IL 60615
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/thesilverroom/
FB/ https://www.facebook.com/thesilverroom
Twitter/X/ https://twitter.com/thesilverroom

7. Cherry Mountain Arts

Sources Via @cherrymountainarts

     Nothing is finished without a cherry atop! To conclude our list is Cherry Mountain Arts, a stylistically diverse and distinct brand that draws much influence from the world around us. Popular for funky designs that animate Mickey Mouse to be a black man, Cherry Mountain Arts is another die-hard black-owned Chicago business that symbolizes the magic of the Chicago creative. Located in the West Loop, The founder King Rello started the brand to “provide the right tools and resources needed to provide artists with the freedom to experiment and craft their work to the best of their ability” and likens it more to a museum than a fashion brand.

Visit Cherry Mountain Arts at:
836 N. Milwaukee Chicago, IL
IG/ https://www.instagram.com/cherrymountainarts
Twitter/X/ https://x.com/cherrymountarts