Bronzeville Summer Nights continues its 14th season Friday with a spotlight on everything 43rd Street, between its entrepreneurs, artists and specialty shops. The annual open house-style affair draws neighbors to Bronzeville by showcasing a different commercial corridor in the neighborhood each month.
Local Businesses and Artists
On Friday, neighbors will have a chance to check out the Park 43 Experiential Market, which will feature local creators, artisans, food trucks and connect visitors to resource providers. There’s also the BSN Passport Challenge, where guests can receive a stamp for every participating business they visit for a chance to win products and gift cards.
Participating businesses include restaurants like Nitro Nostalgia and Bronzeville Winery and art galleries like Gallery Guichard and Faie African Art. Events like Bronzeville Summer Nights are a communal approach to economic development at a time when it might be difficult to keep the lights on, according to Executive Director Rhonda McFarland.
Amour Salon Suites owner Sherry Spellers has seen the evolution of Bronzeville in the 14 years she’s operated her storefront at 646 E. 43rd Street. She remembers a time when the area wasn’t seen as being economically viable because of safety concerns. Still, she stuck it out and built a community in the process.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
