Celebrating Lakeview’s Women Entrepreneurs
Lakeview is proud to have a variety of amazing women-owned businesses in our community. From jewelry designers to café owners and childhood development specialists to a renowned local candy shop owner, we are constantly inspired by their hard work and creativity. Read on to learn more about the women-owned businesses you can support in Lakeview!
Stella Blue Design is a local favorite. Alison at Stella Blue Design says that the boutique “offers timeless & fashion-forward jewelry, inspired by nature’s beauty.”
Founded by Executive Designer Angela Gianfrancesco, Stella Blue Design offers an exclusive gemstone jewelry line, coupled with a passion for vintage/estate finds, and it has become a meeting place for all things custom jewelry. Come visit this “Hidden Gem” just 3 blocks west of Wrigley Field.
If you know Lakeview, you know Southport Grocery and Cafe. Lisa Santos is the owner and chef, and she describes Southport Grocery as “a Lakeview mainstay … open for 16 years! The café serves breakfast and lunch all day, seven days a week. The boutique grocery showcases many house-made products such as preserves, pickles and mustards, as well as artisanal products from Chicago and beyond. Southport Grocery is the proud recipient of seven Good Food Awards and is a true made-from-scratch kitchen supporting local farmers.
The Music Playhouse of Chicago is where education meets innovation. Their immersive music programs provide children ages 0-5 with a variety of skills and developmental benefits. Center Director Erin Watt says that “What sets us apart from other children’s music programs is our wide variety of musical sounds and styles, and our teachers’ talent and energy! All of our teachers are professional singers and performers and full of contagious energy that will have you and your child singing, dancing, jumping, laughing, and most importantly: learning!” Check out their weekly classes, birthday parties, workshops, special events and more.
Since the late 1990s, founder Alissa Fields has been helping people find the perfect frames at Eye Spy Optical. The shop has been voted “best eyewear shop” four times by the Chicago Reader and NewCity.
Lakeview has a great sense of local community, and it was a love of community that inspired Helen Bailey–with the help of her partner, Sean–to create the Pioneer Realty Group, a full-service apartment leasing, property management, and real estate investment firm specializing in multifamily real-estate.
A particular can’t-miss shop in Lakeview is Candyality. This old school candy store features hard-to-find treats and retro confections. Chicago entrepreneur Terese McDonald has kept the store stocked with thousands of bulk items available for anyone with a sweet tooth.
Cafe Tola is another Lakeview favorite, well-known for their coffee and empanadas. At $4 each, buy a few for an excellent meal, or get one to accompany a range of tortas, tacos, burritos and more.
Bicicletaria La Ruta became On the Route when it was purchased by store owner Joanne McSweeney. Hear about On the Route from Joanne herself: “We cater to all types of cyclists, all ages and every type of bike you need: kids, used, new, road, electric, hybrid, commuters, gravel, cruisers etc. We repair any and all types of bikes. We carry all the gear, swag, necessities or bells and whistles any cyclist needs. We offer respect, knowledge and options.”