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

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.
    Every foster animal has something to say.
    Maggie’s animal communication session inspired the beginning of The See Hear Love Project™—and many more voices will follow.
    #chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    13 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18158580376387021
    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED. Every foster animal has something to say. Maggie’s animal communication session inspired the beginning of The See Hear Love Project™—and many more voices will follow. #chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    Dama may be in a wheelchair, but her spirit is unstoppable.

    Through The See Hear Love Project™, her voice and her story are shared—so she can be truly seen, heard, and adopted.

    Thank you @sayvanimals for giving her the chance she deserves. Thank you @salvageone for welcoming us to photograph Dama in your beautiful space. She was a little nervous Nelly that day, so we finished her session in the studio. We’re so grateful for your support in helping animals like Dama be seen, heard, and adopted. ❤️🐾
    ##chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    32 3
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18077487175866207
    Dama may be in a wheelchair, but her spirit is unstoppable. Through The See Hear Love Project™, her voice and her story are shared—so she can be truly seen, heard, and adopted. Thank you @sayvanimals for giving her the chance she deserves. Thank you @salvageone for welcoming us to photograph Dama in your beautiful space. She was a little nervous Nelly that day, so we finished her session in the studio. We’re so grateful for your support in helping animals like Dama be seen, heard, and adopted. ❤️🐾 ##chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    This is Nala the cat. 🐾
    Her reading wasn’t about adoption — it was about understanding.
    Animal communication reveals what our pets are truly feeling.
    Would you want to know what your cat is thinking?

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    23 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18058079621181017
    This is Nala the cat. 🐾 Her reading wasn’t about adoption — it was about understanding. Animal communication reveals what our pets are truly feeling. Would you want to know what your cat is thinking?

    Something extraordinary is beginning.
    ⠀
    The See Hear Love Project™ gives foster animals more than a portrait—it gives them a voice. Through animal communication and photography, their stories will finally be shared with the world.
    ⠀
    Follow along as we change lives, one portrait at a time.
    ⠀

    #chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    40 8
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18388635595123837
    Something extraordinary is beginning. ⠀ The See Hear Love Project™ gives foster animals more than a portrait—it gives them a voice. Through animal communication and photography, their stories will finally be shared with the world. ⠀ Follow along as we change lives, one portrait at a time. ⠀ #chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    Meet Trixie — the very first foster animal to launch The See Hear Love Project™.

    Rescued from Chicago Animal Care & Control and safe today thanks to @darkhorsedogs, Trixie opened her heart during her animal communication session and shared her wish: a forever family to love her gentle spirit.

    Her story begins The See Hear Love Project — a movement that combines fine-art portraiture with animal communication to help foster animals be truly seen, heard, and adopted.

    This October, in honor of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Trixie’s story highlights the countless foster animals still waiting to be adopted.

    Follow along as more animals share their voices — and please share Trixie’s story to help her find her forever home.

    #chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    150 38
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18195409717317008
    Meet Trixie — the very first foster animal to launch The See Hear Love Project™. Rescued from Chicago Animal Care & Control and safe today thanks to @darkhorsedogs, Trixie opened her heart during her animal communication session and shared her wish: a forever family to love her gentle spirit. Her story begins The See Hear Love Project — a movement that combines fine-art portraiture with animal communication to help foster animals be truly seen, heard, and adopted. This October, in honor of National Adopt a Shelter Dog Month, Trixie’s story highlights the countless foster animals still waiting to be adopted. Follow along as more animals share their voices — and please share Trixie’s story to help her find her forever home. #chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    🐾 After Maggie’s first animal communication session, her words surprised us all.
    But what she shared next was just as powerful…
    This famous Chicago dog (@maggieandherdads )reminded us why animals deserve to be seen, heard, and loved.
    Her voice helped inspire The See Hear Love Project™ — a campaign giving foster animals a chance to tell their own stories through communication and fine-art portraiture.
    Follow along to hear the voices of animals still waiting for a home.
    #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    20 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17938420566080499
    🐾 After Maggie’s first animal communication session, her words surprised us all. But what she shared next was just as powerful… This famous Chicago dog (@maggieandherdads )reminded us why animals deserve to be seen, heard, and loved. Her voice helped inspire The See Hear Love Project™ — a campaign giving foster animals a chance to tell their own stories through communication and fine-art portraiture. Follow along to hear the voices of animals still waiting for a home. #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    🐾 What happens when a famous dog finally speaks?
    When Chicago’s beloved Maggie (@maggieandherdads) had her first animal communication session, she surprised us all with a message about her family:
    “They’re my boys too. They don’t belong to everyone.”
    She was talking about her dads — claiming them as her own.
    That moment became the spark for The See Hear Love Project™ — the first campaign to combine animal communication with fine-art portraiture to help foster animals be truly seen, heard, and loved.
    Follow along to hear the voices of animals waiting for a home.
    #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #FosterSavesLives #chicagoshelterdogs
    #adoptlocal
    #rescuelocal
    #chicagodogs
    #chicagodogswithoutjobs

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    29 8
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17979034175756656
    🐾 What happens when a famous dog finally speaks? When Chicago’s beloved Maggie (@maggieandherdads) had her first animal communication session, she surprised us all with a message about her family: “They’re my boys too. They don’t belong to everyone.” She was talking about her dads — claiming them as her own. That moment became the spark for The See Hear Love Project™ — the first campaign to combine animal communication with fine-art portraiture to help foster animals be truly seen, heard, and loved. Follow along to hear the voices of animals waiting for a home. #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #FosterSavesLives #chicagoshelterdogs #adoptlocal #rescuelocal #chicagodogs #chicagodogswithoutjobs SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    The countdown is almost over.
    Tomorrow, the very first story drops — and it’s one you’ll never forget.
    Follow along as we take the next step toward The See Hear Love Project™.
    #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #FosterSavesLives #ChicagoDogs #AdoptDontShop

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    18 8
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18054953288564201
    The countdown is almost over. Tomorrow, the very first story drops — and it’s one you’ll never forget. Follow along as we take the next step toward The See Hear Love Project™. #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #FosterSavesLives #ChicagoDogs #AdoptDontShop

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