SAVE LOCAL BUSINESSES: Portraits of Chicago Businesses in Lockdown

Save Local Businesses

SAVE LOCAL BUSINESSES: WICKER PARK

I started Save Local Businesses: Wicker Park because our doors are closed, but you can still help us.⁠ ⁠ With the help of the West Town Chamber of Commerce and the Wicker Park Chamber of Commerce, my goal for this project is to photograph (from a distance) local business owners, share their stories and provide the face behind their closed doors and dark windows.⁠ ⁠ We are doing this to showcase the effect the pandemic has on local businesses. This allows you to share with others what can be done to support/save small business.⁠

Want to support this project?  I appreciate your donation!  Like the businesses I photograph, I have a storefront studio under lockdown.  Your donation will allow me to continue this project and pay my staff and expenses.  Don’t have a business in West Town or Wicker Park?  Nominate your neighborhood!  

Diandra Lammens

Matty and Lou 1730 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622

“We’ve been unfortunately forced to close our storefront. I moved here in March 2019, hit my 1-year anniversary and the coronavirus took over that day.

What’s frightening to me at this time is the unknown and uncertainty of when we can reopen. I’ve been in Wicker Park for a year and I love the neighborhood. I love all of the people I’ve become friends with. But I’m frightened of the uncertainty and the when? When do we get to reopen? The dates getting pushed back gets scary. I pray that my doors open so I can get in there and sell inventory. Foot traffic is a huge part of my business. Having a storefront that’s not being utilized is quite expensive.

I love that I’ve formed a neighborly bond in my store. It’s been fun to develop these relationships through a clothing store, it’s a fun experience. I love when customers send me pictures of themselves in their new clothes from my shop. Their package brightens their day, and them sending me pictures of their new clothes brightens mine.

In the time we are in right now, you have to find the positive or the silver linings or else we’re going to go crazy. Matty and Lou also keeps me happy. The names themselves are my grandparent’s names. People always assume I’m Matty and my husband is Lou. I find myself talking about my grandparents on a daily basis which I love. I’m a family driven person, so it makes sense my business has become invested in relationships.”

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    Chicago Pet Photographer

    What has your animal been trying to tell you?
    ⠀
    The $500 SEE HEAR LOVE Experience brings together portraits and animal communication at Candice C. Cusic Photography in Chicago. Artwork is purchased separately.
    ⠀
    I photograph your animal and connect with them telepathically, then share their portraits and what I received during their reading at your private reveal.
    ⠀
    This experience is part of The SEE HEAR LOVE Project™, which explores the bond between animals and their people. Participating animals are also considered for the upcoming book; selection is editorial and not guaranteed.
    ⠀
    Tell me about your animal and what you’d love to hear from them:
    https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    18 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18020152805868381
    What has your animal been trying to tell you? ⠀ The $500 SEE HEAR LOVE Experience brings together portraits and animal communication at Candice C. Cusic Photography in Chicago. Artwork is purchased separately. ⠀ I photograph your animal and connect with them telepathically, then share their portraits and what I received during their reading at your private reveal. ⠀ This experience is part of The SEE HEAR LOVE Project™, which explores the bond between animals and their people. Participating animals are also considered for the upcoming book; selection is editorial and not guaranteed. ⠀ Tell me about your animal and what you’d love to hear from them: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    Tootsie has been adopted! ❤️
    ⠀
    When I met her through Hinsdale Humane Society, she was waiting for a home. During her animal communication reading, I received this message:
    ⠀
    “The past isn’t a mirror. It’s not our future.”
    ⠀
    Her reading held humor, hope, and an appreciation for something simple: “I have a bed and a blanket now!”
    ⠀
    Watch Tootsie’s full SEE HEAR LOVE story—from her portrait session to the conversation about what I received during her reading.
    ⠀
    The SEE HEAR LOVE Project™
    Photography & animal communication by Candice C. Cusic in Chicago.
    ⠀
    Want your own SEE HEAR LOVE Experience?
    https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    11 4
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18639976324018890
    Tootsie has been adopted! ❤️ ⠀ When I met her through Hinsdale Humane Society, she was waiting for a home. During her animal communication reading, I received this message: ⠀ “The past isn’t a mirror. It’s not our future.” ⠀ Her reading held humor, hope, and an appreciation for something simple: “I have a bed and a blanket now!” ⠀ Watch Tootsie’s full SEE HEAR LOVE story—from her portrait session to the conversation about what I received during her reading. ⠀ The SEE HEAR LOVE Project™ Photography & animal communication by Candice C. Cusic in Chicago. ⠀ Want your own SEE HEAR LOVE Experience? https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    Happy World Vegetarian Day! 💚🐐
    ⠀
    I haven’t eaten animals in 38 years.
    ⠀
    By one U.S. estimate, that’s the equivalent of sparing roughly 14,000–22,000 animals, including fish and shellfish. It’s an estimate, but a reminder that our everyday choices add up.
    ⠀
    Animals have always mattered to me. These days, I photograph them and listen to what they want to share.
    ⠀
    And occasionally take selfies with goats.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    25 3
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18134794201639804
    Happy World Vegetarian Day! 💚🐐 ⠀ I haven’t eaten animals in 38 years. ⠀ By one U.S. estimate, that’s the equivalent of sparing roughly 14,000–22,000 animals, including fish and shellfish. It’s an estimate, but a reminder that our everyday choices add up. ⠀ Animals have always mattered to me. These days, I photograph them and listen to what they want to share. ⠀ And occasionally take selfies with goats.

    Meet Peanut. 🐾
    ⠀
    Michelle is fostering Peanut through @sayvanimalorg. When I photographed him and listened to what he wanted to share, Peanut told me what it felt like to be alone and what changed when Michelle took a chance on him.
    ⠀
    He also shared his love of green grass, frothy ice cream, and warm hands on his back. And he explained what he means when he licks someone’s ankles.
    ⠀
    This is Peanut’s full SEE HEAR LOVE film: his portrait, his words, and his story. Which part stayed with you?
    ⠀
    Learn about the SEE HEAR LOVE Experience: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    15 4
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18122065424490370
    Meet Peanut. 🐾 ⠀ Michelle is fostering Peanut through @sayvanimalorg. When I photographed him and listened to what he wanted to share, Peanut told me what it felt like to be alone and what changed when Michelle took a chance on him. ⠀ He also shared his love of green grass, frothy ice cream, and warm hands on his back. And he explained what he means when he licks someone’s ankles. ⠀ This is Peanut’s full SEE HEAR LOVE film: his portrait, his words, and his story. Which part stayed with you? ⠀ Learn about the SEE HEAR LOVE Experience: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    Did you know your animal can have their own SEE HEAR LOVE Experience?
    ⠀
    I photograph your animal and connect with them intuitively to learn what they want you to know. Later that same day, you see their portraits and hear their words together at a private reveal.
    ⠀
    The Experience is $500 at Candice C. Cusic Photography in Chicago. Finished artwork is purchased separately.
    ⠀
    Learn more: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    10 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18094972763438923
    Did you know your animal can have their own SEE HEAR LOVE Experience? ⠀ I photograph your animal and connect with them intuitively to learn what they want you to know. Later that same day, you see their portraits and hear their words together at a private reveal. ⠀ The Experience is $500 at Candice C. Cusic Photography in Chicago. Finished artwork is purchased separately. ⠀ Learn more: https://cusicphoto.com/see-hear-love-book/

    “I’m small but mighty. I have feelings too. I’m important too.” — Peanut
    ⠀
    Before Peanut met his foster, he says he felt alone and unneeded.
    ⠀
    Then Michelle took a chance on him.
    ⠀
    “I feel so much healthier. It doesn’t hurt every day. I have a new life now and I’m forever grateful. I won’t take this life for granted.”
    ⠀
    🐾 Peanut is available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If Peanut feels like your kind of little guy, reach out to SAYv to learn more about adopting him.
    ⠀
    Peanut is part of THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™.
    ⠀
    SEEN · HEARD · LOVED.
    ⠀
    @sayvanimalorg
    ⠀
    #SeeHearLoveProject #SAYvAnimalOrganization #AdoptPeanut #AdoptDontShop #RescueDog #ChicagoDogs #AnimalCommunication

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    29 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18168431020463611
    “I’m small but mighty. I have feelings too. I’m important too.” — Peanut ⠀ Before Peanut met his foster, he says he felt alone and unneeded. ⠀ Then Michelle took a chance on him. ⠀ “I feel so much healthier. It doesn’t hurt every day. I have a new life now and I’m forever grateful. I won’t take this life for granted.” ⠀ 🐾 Peanut is available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If Peanut feels like your kind of little guy, reach out to SAYv to learn more about adopting him. ⠀ Peanut is part of THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™. ⠀ SEEN · HEARD · LOVED. ⠀ @sayvanimalorg ⠀ #SeeHearLoveProject #SAYvAnimalOrganization #AdoptPeanut #AdoptDontShop #RescueDog #ChicagoDogs #AnimalCommunication

    THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM FROM THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™ IS HERE. ❤️
    ⠀
    Meet Nori and Wasabi, a bonded mother and son looking for their forever home together.
    ⠀
    I connected with them telepathically to hear their thoughts, feelings and what they wanted people to know.
    ⠀
    During his communication, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella, the woman caring for him, all of his toys to make her smile.
    ⠀
    Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up.
    ⠀
    And Nori had her own story to tell.
    ⠀
    This is what The See Hear Love Project™ was created to do: combine animal communication, portraiture and documentary film so animals can participate in telling their own stories.
    ⠀
    We don`t simply tell a story about an animal.
    ⠀
    We tell it with them.
    ⠀
    Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, please share it. Somewhere out there is the person who is supposed to find them.
    ⠀
    One animal. One story. One film created to help them find a home.
    ⠀
    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
    ⠀
    #SeeHearLove #TheSeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #AnimalCommunicator #CatAdoption #RescueCats #AdoptDontShop #SAYvAnimalOrganization

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    10 1
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17935000353126474
    THE FIRST FULL-LENGTH FILM FROM THE SEE HEAR LOVE PROJECT™ IS HERE. ❤️ ⠀ Meet Nori and Wasabi, a bonded mother and son looking for their forever home together. ⠀ I connected with them telepathically to hear their thoughts, feelings and what they wanted people to know. ⠀ During his communication, Wasabi told me he would give Gabriella, the woman caring for him, all of his toys to make her smile. ⠀ Then he wondered if she needed a ribbon or a string—because those are the things that cheer him up. ⠀ And Nori had her own story to tell. ⠀ This is what The See Hear Love Project™ was created to do: combine animal communication, portraiture and documentary film so animals can participate in telling their own stories. ⠀ We don't simply tell a story about an animal. ⠀ We tell it with them. ⠀ Nori and Wasabi are available for adoption through SAYv Animal Organization. If their story speaks to you, please share it. Somewhere out there is the person who is supposed to find them. ⠀ One animal. One story. One film created to help them find a home. ⠀ SEEN. HEARD. LOVED. ⠀ #SeeHearLove #TheSeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #AnimalCommunicator #CatAdoption #RescueCats #AdoptDontShop #SAYvAnimalOrganization

    **YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO MODEL. 🐾**

    We’re the only Chicago portrait studio with a professional animal trainer at every session.

    Your dog gets to be a dog. We take care of the rest.

    #ChicagoPetPhotographer #ChicagoDogPhotographer #ChicagoDogs #PetPhotography #CusicPhotography

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
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    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17944594383301932
    **YOUR DOG DOESN’T HAVE TO KNOW HOW TO MODEL. 🐾** We’re the only Chicago portrait studio with a professional animal trainer at every session. Your dog gets to be a dog. We take care of the rest. #ChicagoPetPhotographer #ChicagoDogPhotographer #ChicagoDogs #PetPhotography #CusicPhotography

    Our location

    Located in downtown Chicago.

    1821 W. Hubbard St., Chicago, IL 60622

    By appointment only

    info@cusicphoto.com

     

    Available for travel internationally, for pets & family photography, and education for photographers. Send us a note for details or reach us by phone at 312-248-2939.

     

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