Where You Can Be You

“What you feel, it’s accepted. Who you are, it’s accepted. You express who you are, and there’s a flow of humanity and love,” says Tony Barbanente, owner of Anto Pizza Chicago, about Rogers Park. 

Taste the fresh, simple flavors of Italy on Jarvis Square. Anto, located at 1547 W Jarvis Avenue in Chicago, offers an outdoor patio, sidewalk dining, indoor dining, pick up and delivery.

"You get the best of both on Howard Street, the city and the suburbs," says Good to Go Jamaican Cuisine Owner Lenice Levy.

Good To Go Jamaican Restaurant, at 711 W. Howard Street, brings Jamaica to Chicago with jerk chicken, oxtail, rum punch, imported coffee and more!

“I love the people. Not just the diversity of culture but the diversity of weirdness in Rogers Park. It’s a great way to get to know the world in this little area."

Carrie Flynn and Annie Cathcart, owners of Charmers Cafe at 1500 W. Jarvis Street, are opening Horseplay by Charmers, a retail boutique. Both in Jarvis Square, Charmers and Horseplay offer the community a place to gather for a great cup of coffee, fresh cafe fare and beautiful gifts for yourself or someone special.

“For me to grow up and see the changes made on Howard Street, it hits home.”

Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and fried catfish to warm your soul. Lewis Edward dishes out the tradition and culture of delicious food on Chicago’s edge at 2043 W. Howard Street.

Watch to learn more about Lewis Edwards, Howard Street and I’m Soul Hungry!

“Our vision is a diverse and resilient neighborhood filled with knowledgeable and self-reliant cyclists,” says Tzippora Rhodes from The Recyclery Collective.

The Recyclery is a nonprofit, educational community bike shop on Chicago's edge. Volunteer, donate, partner and discover a welcoming community of cyclists at 7628 N Paulina Street near the CTA Howard Station.

“The power of a great board game: it brings people together.”

Patricia Gonzales, owner of Athena Board Game says, “Years ago, my daughter and I visited a board game cafe in Italy– and we knew it was our destiny to open one. We found the perfect place on Howard Street, where people from diverse backgrounds all come together.”

Come to Athena Board Game Cafe at 1418 W. Howard Street to play or purchase classic and contemporary board games, all while enjoying the cafe menu items and a milkshake.

IM Beauty Supply: Top-notch beauty products. Remarkable service.

Alexis Wilson knows beauty. Stop by 1609 W. Howard Street for custom wigs by licensed cosmetologists, hair and beauty products, cosmetics and more.

Fresh and authentic, Good To Go Jamaican Restaurant brings island spice to Howard Street.

Try Jamaica's national dish, ackee and saltfish, or pick up a bottle of rum punch or signature jerk sauce. Dine outdoors in a covered igloo, or order delivery or takeout at 711 Howard Street.

I’m Soul Hungry brings the soul to Howard Street.

Chicken and waffles, shrimp and grits and fried catfish to warm your soul. Lewis Edward dishes out the tradition and culture of delicious soul food on Chicago’s edge at 2043 W. Howard Street.

Discover a superb living experience on Howard Street.

Elevation Lofts features 38 studios and two-story loft apartments, plus a fitness center, rooftop deck with a fire pit, a grilling station and zen garden with incredible views.

At 1531 W. Howard Street, Elevation Lofts is committed to "meaningful living" - a walkable lifestyle where neighbors become friends, where building materials are earth friendly and where a genuine community can thrive.

Authentic and delicious, family-owned Redz Belizean boasts the flavors of Belize with an Afro-Caribbean, Latin-influenced flare.

Stop in 7605 N. Paulina for fried king fish, stewed oxtail, beef patties and more!

Willye B. White Park District is home base for kids, family and community.

Irma Rizzo has been part of the Chicago Park District since she was sixteen. “It’s meant a lot to me in my life, and I hope to bring that support to the kids at Willye B. White,” says Irma. From baseball to gymnastics, chess to fencing, arts and crafts to guitar, Willye B. White, at 1610 W. Howard Street, is at the center of activity for kids and families on Howard Street.

Whether you are a buffalo wings epicure or looking for a quick snack, Buffalo Joe’s offers juicy chicken wings coated in the special, homemade “Joe’s” sauce.

Pair wings or a burger with Buffalo Chip waffle-fries for a tasty lunch, or cater Buffalo Joe’s for your next event. “People come from all over Chicagoland and Indiana, and keep coming back for years and years,” says owner Enock Anderson. Visit Buffalo Joe’s at 1841 W. Howard Street today and taste the secret sauce for yourself.

Since 1994, Neville Muir has brought life, home and auto insurance to thousands of residents.

“I treat all my clients as though it is me getting the policy,” says Neville, owner of Insurance Center at 1937 W. Howard Street. “We serve everybody. Clients speak many languages and come from all over the world. We want to make the insurance system easy for them to access and understand.” 

“For both the audience and the performer, it’s inclusive and embracing,” says Theo Ubique Artistic Director Fred Anzevino.

Theo Ubique brings cabaret theater to Howard Street with its boutique Broadway productions and riveting dramas - not to mention themed, three-course dinners and drinks served by cast members. Theo Ubique is located at 721 W. Howard Street.

Hip Circle Empowerment Center is more than a dance and fitness studio—It is a supportive community of women that inspires confidence, health and joy.

"We create a safe, supportive space so women can see what they are capable of and bring that confidence into their work, their relationships and their lives,” says owner and founder Malik Turley. Located at 727 W. Howard Street, Hip Circle hosts fitness classes, workshops, events, coworking sessions and support groups. 

Hairz R Us: Fresh cuts, good company.

For 17 years, Michael Smith has welcomed new and old friends into Hairz R Us, 2039 W Howard Street, located just west of the Howard CTA station, on Chicago’s edge. Stop in and see him and his team.

Home to over 80 languages spoken daily and a plethora of globally favored restaurants, Howard Street and Rogers Park is a place where you can be you - and all are welcome.

Explore this creatively charged neighborhood on the edge of Chicago and Evanston, near the CTA Red/Purple/Yellow Line stop and steps from Lake Michigan.

Transport yourself to a Caribbean island at Lady B Boutique.

Featuring authentic, high quality Caribbean clothing for all ages, Lady B -- located at 1547 W Howard Street -- is a store unlike any other on Chicago’s Edge. Stop in and say hello to Lady B! 

"With the CTA Red Line right next door, Howard Street was a perfect location for Salerno's.”

Mike Salerno knows good pizza.

With over 10 locations in the Chicagoland area serving everything from pizza to full entrees, Salerno didn't hesitate to open a pizza by-the-slice shop at 1631 Howard Street and Salerno’s On Tap, a full-service restaurant and bar, next door.

"If you are a DIY-minded person, we want you at The Recyclery."

Whether you are an experienced cyclist or just earning your wheels, The Recyclery, a volunteer-run educational bike shop located just off the Howard red line, fosters a collaborative teaching environment for all cyclists.

"The advantage of bringing your bike here as opposed to a traditional shop is that we will teach you how to do fix things yourself," says volunteer Josh. "If you are a DIY-minded person, we want you at The Recyclery."

"From Oslo to Ohio, Howard Street is a place where people play together," says Cally Raduenzel, owner of Curls & Company, which specializes in cutting curly hair.

A pop culture-themed salon, Curls & Company pipes in 80's music and hangs British pop art on the walls. It's a salon with a twist, er, curl.

If it's a beautiful day for a ballgame, start or end your journey (or both) to the Friendly Confines with a stop on Howard Street.

Not only do we have parking and the Red Line (an easy 20 minute ride to the ballpark), we have lively cafes, cool watering holes and globally-flavored restaurants. Howard Street. Cub fan friendly.