West Town residents now have a new creative hub at 2401 W. Ohio St. Sunroom Space, the first physical storefront for Sunroom Studios, opened its doors this week. Co‑founders Clare Byrne and Jake Stolz, a husband‑and‑wife team who have been active in Chicago’s music and design scenes since 2018, created the shop to showcase their risograph‑printed artwork and to foster face‑to‑face community interaction.
From Online Studio to Neighborhood Shop
Sunroom Studios began as a design label specializing in risograph printing for concert posters, album covers, books and other projects. Over the years the couple expanded the brand to include a record label that releases ambient music and an imprint called Earth Libraries, which issues limited‑edition cassettes and other physical media. The new storefront consolidates these ventures under one roof, allowing shoppers to view and purchase prints, books, vinyl, matchbooks, candles and more.
Why a Physical Space Matters
“Our risograph prints are really textural, and it was important for us to have a physical space for people to come in and view them,” Byrne explained. “We wanted to work offline more, be around people in the neighborhood, and give folks a real‑world experience rather than just e‑commerce.” The shop also serves as a venue for future in‑person events such as art shows, ambient‑music performances and vinyl‑listening parties.
Monthly Flyer Club Keeps the Community Engaged
Sunroom Studios runs a Monthly Flyer Club, a subscription service that mails a new risograph print to members each month for $5. The club’s offerings have ranged from seasonal motifs and calendars to unique artwork that would otherwise disappear into the digital void. Byrne said the service “planted a seed” for finding new ways to share their work beyond the internet.
Curated Retail Selections
The shop’s curated inventory includes limited‑edition prints for local musicians—such as a recent poster for Wilco frontman Jeff Tweedy—as well as one‑of‑a‑kind pieces that will not be reproduced. Visitors can also browse art books covering topics from avant‑garde film to the historic Chicago settlement house Hull House, and discover matchbooks, candles and records that reflect the couple’s eclectic tastes.
Small Space, Big Vision
Stolz noted that the one‑room layout forces careful curation: “It’s a blessing to be limited by the tiny shop form. There’s only so much you can put in here, and it’s been fun to have that curatorial hand.” Both founders described the space as still evolving, saying it “is still revealing itself to us, not to be too mystical.”
Hours and Community Impact
Sunroom Space is open Thursday through Saturday, noon to 6 p.m., inviting locals to experience tactile art and support a small, family‑run business that values offline interaction. In a post‑COVID world where many seek tangible experiences, the shop adds a cultural and economic boost to West Town’s growing creative corridor.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
