Rare Dirndl: Preserving heritage through handmade fashion
WGN9 / by Erin McElroy / April 8, 2026 CHICAGO —Fashion trends come and go, but for one Chicago woman, true style is stitched in tradition. Erika Neumayer’s shop is small and almost goes unnoticed among the bustle of North Lincoln. But as soon as you step inside you hear a sound we rarely hear any longer, the hum of a sewing machine and the sound of something being made by hand. View More Here.
Before a Reporter Calls: Why Every Lincoln Square Business Needs a Media Kit
A media kit — sometimes called a press kit — is a curated package of information about your business designed for journalists, partners, investors, and event organizers. It answers the most common questions about who you are and what you do, in one place, on your terms. For businesses in Lincoln Square and Ravenswood, where events like the Spring Wine Stroll and the International Women's Day Market regularly draw local press, having a media kit ready is what separates a passing mention from a real
How Bistro Campagne Keeps the Romance Alive After Two Decades in Lincoln Square
Resy Chicago / by Ari Bendersky / February 20, 2026 In a city where new restaurants open seemingly every week and people can’t wait to get their hands on the shiny new toy, there’s something special about classic mainstays that continue drawing customers, of both the new and regular variety. And thank god we have them. Bistro Campagne is one of those places that has retained its romantic charm for nearly 25 years — with no signs of slowing down. Read More Here.
Meet the Women Behind Mechanista, a Chicago Garage Aiming to Make Car Care More Inclusive
WTTW / by Joanna Hernandez / February 12, 2026 Ever pop the hood of your car and have no idea what you’re looking at? For many drivers, walking into a mechanic shop can feel confusing and sometimes intimidating. That’s something Ray Chafin knows all too well. “It’s just not a safe environment, a really inclusive space, when someone talks in vehicle jargon and makes it way overcomplicated, when it’s actually really simple,” Chafin said. “Do you need this, or do you not?” Chafin is the lead mechanic at
What’s Your Favorite First-Date Restaurant in Chicago? Here’s What Block Club Readers Say
Block Club Chicago / by Riley Moulton / February 9, 2026 CHICAGO — Chicago’s dining scene offers something for couples and those looking to spark a connection, from restaurants with old-school ambiance to cozy cafes and places specializing in small plates meant to be shared. With Valentine’s Day approaching, we were curious: Which Chicago restaurants can help you turn first dates into second ones? So, we asked Block Club readers for their picks. Read More Here.
Where to Get Paczki, King Cake, and Other Fat Tuesday Treats in 2026
WTTW / by Daniel Hautzinger / February 5, 2026 The stars have aligned this year to have Lunar New Year and Mardi Gras or Fat Tuesday fall on the same day, February 17. That means Chicagoans will be forgetting the first cold, snowy winter in a few years by feasting on everything from New Orleans' iced king cake to the Chinese glutinous rice cake nin gou. In this heavily Polish city, of course, Mardi Gras is popularly known as Pączki Day, in honor of the filled doughnuts traditionally made to use up fat
Joe Swanberg’s Video Store Finds New Home At The Davis Theater
Block Club Chicago / by Erik Adams / December 5, 2025 LINCOLN SQUARE — The subscription video pop-up run by filmmaker Joe Swanberg and Terror Vision Records founder Ryan Graveface has found more permanent digs. Terror Vision Records and Video — which had been open as a pop-up by the Music Box Theatre in Lakeview — is now partly based at the Davis Theater, 4620 N. Lincoln Ave. “The dream was to keep it going, but it wasn’t a plan because I wasn’t sure how or where we could accomplish something as cool as
Infatuation’s Dessert Bucket List
Infatuation / by Team Infatuation / October 20, 2025 Most bucket lists involve jumping off something tall with a bungee cord or running for a really long time without stopping. This one’s about desserts. Whether you’re looking for Miami’s best key lime pie, New Jersey’s most prized cannoli, the be-all and end-all of peach cobbler in Atlanta, or the thickest frozen custard the Midwest has to offer, you’ll find it right here on our guide to the best desserts in the country. Read More Here.
The Best Bars In Chicago To Experience An Unforgettable Mr Black Espresso Martini Festival
Secret Chicago / by Ruby Harris / September 15, 2025 We consider the espresso martini to be an exceptional cocktail – so it’s no surprise that we can’t wait to spend a whole week celebrating one of our favorite drinks. From September 29 to October 5, Mr Black Cold Brew Coffee Liqueur is bringing Espresso Martini Fest back to Chicago. Consider this your official invitation to a week of ritual meeting revelry for everyone’s favorite coffee-inspired cocktail. Keep reading for the full list of participating
Who is the Best Rated Charter Bus Company in the USA? Price4Limo!
Who is the Best Rated Charter Bus Company in the USA? Price4Limo! Price 4 Limo was just announced as a Top 50 Vendor in the Cvent Top Meeting Destinations list for North America! Price4Limo is proud to announce that they have been recognized on the prestigious Cvent Top Meeting Destinations list for North America. This honor highlights their commitment to delivering outstanding experiences for group travel and corporate events. "Congratulations to Price4Limo for being honored as a Cvent Top Meeting
One couple's life-changing move is behind one of the best distilleries in Chicago
Newsbreak / July 9, 2025 Nestled along Ravenswood Avenue in Chicago’s North Side is a distillery whose name carries generations of meaning, a vision for innovation, and a deep familial legacy. KOVAL Distillery, founded in 2008, wasn’t just created to make spirits—it was forged from the dreams of a husband and wife duo who were ready to build something bold, beautiful, and entirely their own. Read More Here.
Open a Restaurant Without Going Broke: Practical Moves That Cut Costs, Not Corners
Starting a restaurant is thrilling—but financially brutal if you go in unprepared. It’s not just the ovens and permits. It’s the small, constant decisions that tip you into debt or keep you above water. Whether you’re plotting a corner taco spot or a sleek new bistro, the same question haunts everyone: how do you open without burning through your life savings? It starts with strategy. You can open lean. You can stay sane. But only if you treat every dollar like it has a job—and every decision like it has
Celebrate music, food and culture with this guide to Chicago’s street festivals
Chicago Sun Times / by Ambar Colon / June 20, 2025 Summer in Chicago means festival season. From smaller music festivals like Square Roots in Lincoln Square to larger yet lesser-known showcases like the Chicago Mexican Folk Festival and the Chicago Gospel Music Festival, there’s sure to be something for everyone. Most of the events feature highlights of their community, from local musicians to food vendors. And as the birthplace of house music, Chicago’s festival season means there are plenty of
Chicago’s Filipino Food Scene Is Thriving. Meet The Man Making It Happen Behind The Scenes
Block Club Chicago / by Lisa Shames / June 30, 2025 RAVENSWOOD — If you’ve had a Filipino-inspired dish or drink in Chicago lately, odds are Francis Almeda had something to do with it. Almeda is the driving force behind Ravenwood’s Side Practice Coffee, 5139 N. Damen Ave., where specialty drinks at the 5-year-old cafe often include some form of ube, the purple yam native to the Philippines. At Drip Collective, 172 N. Racine Ave. in the West Loop, where Almeda is a partner, the signature turon latte mimics
Fathers have a friend in Chicago’s 'Broskis,' a club linking dads with other dads and their children
Chicago Sun Times / by Lisa Shames / May 27, 2025 It’s 10:30 on a breezy Saturday morning in April and Ravenswood’s Side Practice Coffee is filling up with small groups of twentysomethings and solo customers with laptops. In the corner, a pop-up from a local baker has attracted a small line. Closer to the hour, the vibe starts to change with guys entering the indie coffee shop carefully maneuvering their child-filled strollers down the short flight of stairs. Outside, it’s a similar scene with kids, and
Top 30 Pizza Places in Chicago Ranked
Restaurant Clicks / May 1, 2025 If there’s one thing Chicago is known for, it’s pizza. Whether you’re walking through the city streets or searching online for a place to eat, you’ll find no shortage of options. But with so many spots to choose from, figuring out where to go can be tricky. That’s why we’ve done the work and pulled together a list of the 30 best pizza places in Chicago. This list is perfect for locals looking for something new or visitors hoping to try a classic slice. From long-standing
