Small Business

Work

Former Foxtrot workers rally, demand back pay after grocer's sudden closure

The former employees contacted workers rights organization Arise Chicago and filed charges with the Illinois Department of Labor, according to the organization.

By Abby Miller

Small Business

Call & Response Books opening new store in Hyde Park

Owner Courtney Bledsoe said the store will focus on stocking books by authors of color and celebrating the stories they tell.

By Isabel Funk

Work

New federal rule would bar 'noncompete' agreements for most employees

According to the Federal Trade Commission, 30 million people — roughly one in five workers — are subject to noncompetes, which bar workers from jumping to or starting competing companies.

By Christopher Rugaber | AP

Small Business

Dom's Kitchen & Market and Foxtrot facing class action over sudden layoffs at specialty grocers

The complaint, field Wednesday, said the companies violated the state and federal Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act by failing to properly notify employees that they would be laid off.

By Abby Miller

Small Business

Astrology-themed sober bar raised $47k in Kickstarter funds, predicts late summer opening

The Kickstarter-backed mocktail bar called Solar Intentions will be joining a growing sober scene in Chicago.

By Olivia Dimmer | For the Sun-Times

Small Business

Dom's Kitchen and Foxtrot abruptly shutter stores, months after specialty grocers merged

The store closings started Tuesday morning and include two Dom’s Kitchen sites and 33 Foxtrot locations.

By Abby Miller and Isabel Funk

Food and Restaurants

Two new Filipino eateries open in Chicago, adding to wave of restaurants offering fun spins on ube and longanisa

Being their own boss is key for these business owners, but also being there for their kids is just as important.

By Dorothy Hernandez

2024 Democratic National Convention

Democratic convention events getting Chicago treatment with new hospitality vendors

Five event production companies, nearly all based in Chicago, will be throwing the official parties for the Democratic National Convention in August.

By Amy Yee

Entertainment and Culture

Little Village venue Apollo's 2000 inks landmark status

Owners Javier and Lidia Galindo have operated Apollo’s 2000 for more than 35 years. Now, they’re ready for the venue to enter its next era as a city-designated landmark.

By Abby Miller

Small Business

Discount retailer Bargains in a Box closes shop

Since the 1990s, countless shoppers have scored eye-popping deals on a range of goods found in giant cardboard boxes and on warehouse-style shelves.

By Amy Yee

Columnists

Corning sheds light on fiber optics at O'Hare

On Monday, a small Chicago contractor complained of being frozen out of O’Hare work; now the communications giant would like its say.

By Neil Steinberg

Food and Restaurants

Clark Street closure for outdoor dining 'pending mayoral review,' Ald. Reilly says

A stretch of Clark Street between Grand Avenue and Kinzie Street has been a hotbed for Chicago’s outdoor dining program, but its future remains uncertain.

By Abby Miller

Retro Stove and Gas Works owner hopes for a buyer or it's lights out forever

By Amy Yee

A worker at Katherine Anne Confections arranges a display of chocolate candies.

Food and Restaurants

Rising cocoa prices have Chicago chocolate sellers feeling the pinch

With Easter around the corner, chocolate makers and food businesses are feeling the impact of soaring global cocoa prices, which is also hitting consumers.

By Amy Yee

Small Business

Chicago entrepreneur Kristina Wynne on coaching LGBTQ-owned businesses

In this question-and-answer piece, Wynne talks about what she’s learning in five years running a business boot camp, helping operators of small businesses gain confidence.

By Isabel Funk

Small Business

Family-run grocer Ed's Way closing after nearly 33 years to make way for townhomes

Owners of the Forest Park store — loved by neighbors — sold the property, which will become a 10-unit townhome site.

By Amy Yee

Columnists

Inspired Home Show, umm, inspires

As an admirer of tangible objects — they have such solidity compared to the evanescent flapping luna moths of words — I like to go to the show, whatever it’s called, to revel in bowls and cups, mops and sponges.

By Neil Steinberg

The Watchdogs

Hemp products often mislabeled, posing potential danger to consumers, Chicago researcher finds

Lab tests of hemp products sold in Chicago showed wildly varying levels of THC and unexpected cannabinoids in edibles and flowers. Lawmakers are calling for the items to be regulated.

By Stephanie Zimmermann and Tom Schuba

Small Business

Chicago funeral home showed wrong body ahead of services, family alleges

Leak and Sons Funeral Homes dressed another corpse in their father’s clothing, a lawsuit filed by the family of Phillip Williams Sr. claims.

By Amy Yee

Chicago

19 Chicago-area organizations receive millions from MacKenzie Scott's 'Yield Giving'

Scott announced $640 million in gifts to nonprofits nationwide, bringing her donations to $16.5 billion after divorcing Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

By Mary Norkol