A Hyde Park holiday shopping guide


With Thanksgiving in the rear view mirror, Hyde Park has plunged into the holiday season. But fear not, we’ve put together a handy small business neighborhood shopping guide. 

Holiday markets

Hyde Park Art Center holiday sale – Dec. 2-17

The Hyde Park Art Center is hosting its annual holiday sale from December 2 to 17. Offerings at the annual fundraiser include ceramics, prints and paintings, with 25% of proceeds going towards supporting education programs at the art center. Hyde Park Art Center, 5020 S. Cornell Ave. facebook.com/HydeParkArtCenter 

Winter Hyde Park Farmer’s Market at the Promontory – Dec. 9

The South East Chicago Commission (SECC) is holding a winter farmer’s market at the Promontory, featuring food, beverage, wellness and beauty vendors, as well as live performances. The Promontory, 5311 S. Lake Park Ave. secc-chicago.org/hpfm/



Seminary Co-op Bookstore

The Seminary Co-op Bookstore, 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave.




Bookstores 

Powell’s Books Chicago

Powell’s boasts the largest stock of used, antique and out-of-print books in the Chicagoland area. It’s the perfect place to find niche titles or get lost in stacks piled high. 1501 E. 57th St. powellschicago.com/ 

57th Street Books

This basement bookstore features popular new titles, a wide variety of children’s books and a tasty selection of cookbooks. 1301 E. 57th St. 57th.semcoop.com/

The Seminary Cooperative

A much-loved bookstore is known for its immense collection of titles, including academic texts. Of particular note is the shop’s recent reissue of Leon Forrest’s 1992 epic “Divine Days.” 5751 S. Woodlawn Ave. semcoop.com/ 

First Aid Comics

A haven for comic book and role playing game lovers, First Aid Comics offers new releases as well as back issues of comics and graphic novels suitable for all ages. The shop also sells action figures and board games. 1617 E. 55th St. firstaidcomics.com/ 

Build Coffee

Though it might be better known for its coffee and long lines at the 61sr Street farmer’s market, this shop located in the Experimental Station also sells a curated collection of used books, as well as a variety of zines and art made by local creatives. 6100 S. Blackstone Ave. buildcoffee.org/ 



Carver 47

Carver 47 Food and Wellness Market, 1050 E. 47th St.




Art and home goods

Kilimanjaro

This cultural arts boutique sells a variety of African and African-American art and goods, including African masks, handmade jewelry, tea, soaps and fabrics. Forty percent of the shop’s proceeds benefit charitable organizations, such as The Homeless Youth Artist Mentor Project and The Lonely Forgotten Elders. 1305 E. 53rd St. oneofakindafrica.com/about-kilimanjaro-2/ 

Carver 47 Food & Wellness Market

Founded as a common community space, Carver 47 offers a variety of healthy and comforting foods, beverages and home goods. The store is inspired by the life of the famed Black agriculture scientist and inventor George Washington Carver. 1050 E. 47th St. carver47.com/ 

Recycled Modern

Recycled Modern, an interior store that opened in Harper Court last year, also operates as a gallery and event spense that aims to create a sense of community around Black Chicago artists and craftsmen. 5231 S. Harper Court. recycledmod.com/ 

Music

Hyde Park Records

This 53rd Street mainstay offers a large selection of vinyl records and CDs of artists old and new. It’s especially known for its expansive collection of old school, soul, jaz, reggae and rock music. 1377 E. 53rd St. hydeparkrecords.com/ 

For kids

Toys Et Cetera

Toys Et Cetera prides itself on carrying toys that are not just fun, but also educational, culturally sensitive and supportive of healthy development. The store carries toys for infants and adults who are young at heart, as well as everyone in between. 1502 E. 55th St. toysetcetera.com/ 

For pets

A Paw Place

Besides supplying food and health items for cats and dogs, A Paw Place also offers dog walking services, pet grooming and boarding. The store takes dogs on “adventure walks” through the neighborhood and provides drop-in visits to help care for cats. 1457 E. 53rd St. apawplace.com/app-home 

Sprocket and Stone

This pet store features healthy food and treats, toys and gear for cats and dogs alike. 1013 E. 53rd St. sprocketandstone.com/ 

Beauty

The Black Beauty Collective

This beauty shop exclusively offers beauty supplies from Black-owned businesses, aiming to increase the representation of Black entrepreneurship in the beauty industry. The woman-run collective offers skincare, hair and makeup products. 5303 S. Hyde Park Blvd. blkbeautycollective.com/ 

Fashion

Suuri Design

Founded by a mother and daughter duo, Suuri Design is a lifestyle brand with a focus on jewelry. In addition to a wide variety of artisan-made jewelry, the store also offers body care and candle lines. 5225 S. Harper Ct. suuridesign.com/ 

Wesley’s Shoe Corral

The longtime family-owned shoe shop offers both stylish and comfortable options for kids and adults alike. 1506 E. 55th St. wesleyshoes.com/ 

Kayra Imports

Kayra Imports sells African clothing, fabrics, and wellness goods such as whipped shea butter and African black soap. 1001 E. 53rd St. kayraimports.com 

The Silver Room

This boutique sells jewelry, apparel, art and music. In addition to promoting the work of local designers and artists, the shop frequently holds community events like open mic nights and readings. 1506 E 53rd St. thesilverroom.com 

Chicago Birthworks 

In addition to offering birth services and maternal wellness groups, this Black-owned doula collective also sells t-shirts, tinctures, books about labor, baby wraps and other essentials for expectant families and their babies. 1603 E. 55th St. chicagobirthworks.com 

Goree Shop

This African goods store sells shea butter, African clothes and fabrics, jewelry and offers alterations for clothes. 1122 E. 47th St.

21-and-over

Hyde Park Cigars

This cigar shop sells a wide variety of cigars, tobacco and accessories including limited edition and specialty brands. 5220 S/ Harper Ave. facebook.com/HPcigars/ 

57th Street Wines

This independent wine shop offers wine, beer and spirits. The shop also hosts events, tastings and classes. 1448 E 57th St. wines57.com


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