Local First Members

Do you have an idea of what Local First Chicago can do for your business or community? Contact Mia Fioritto at 773.988.2006 or at mia@localfirstchicago.org.

You can also read more about your member benefits here.

Join Local First Chicago

Submit your membership request online and become a member today!  Business owners, neighborhood associations, and individuals are all welcome to join.  Read more about membership benefits here.

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Our Mission

Local First Chicago is a network of locally owned, independent businesses and community organizations joined together to keep money and character in our neighborhoods and build a thriving local living economy.  In doing so, we hope to promote the overall social, economic, and environmental health of our economy and communities.  Local First Chicago works primarily through public education, business support, and advocacy.

History

Local First Chicago was formed in October 2005

Inspired by the work of BALLE chapters in other cities, four Chicago neighborhoods launched a pilot Local First Chicago Campaign for the 2005 Holiday Season. In Summer, 2006, Local First Chicago went citywide. There are currently thirteen participating neighborhoods, covering every corner of Chicago, with a great geographical and cultural diversity.

Founding Members

These businesses helped to start Local First Chicago

ANDERSONVILLE
  • Kopi Café
  • Landmark of Andersonville
  • Scout
  • Surrender
  • Women and Children First Bookstore
  • Andersonville Chamber of Commerce


LINCOLN PARK
  • Argo Tea
  • Art Effect
  • Barker &Meowsky
  • Chicago Bagel Authority
  • Chicago Fly Fishing Outfitters
  • Dom ITP
  • Faded Rose
  • Jane Hamill
  • Lori ’s Shoes
  • Mint Julep
  • Multiple Choices
  • Nuada
  • Original Expressions
  • Piggy Toes


LINCOLN SQUARE
  • The Book Cellar
  • Bouffe
  • Enjoy, An Urban General Store
  • The Grind Café
  • Sit!


WICKER PARK/BUCKTOWN
  • Findables
  • Store B
  • G Boutique
  • The Greener Cleaner
  • Larkspur
  • The Painted Lady
  • Porte Rouge Table & Home
  • Public I,Ltd.
  • Robin Richman
  • Saffron
  • Steelo
  • Urbane
  • Virtu
  • vive la femme
  • Wicker Park/Bucktown Chamber of Commerce


CITY-WIDE
  • Environmental Research Foundation