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.”

[gravityform id=”12″ title=”true” description=”true”]

 

0 comments
Add a comment...

Your email is never published or shared. Required fields are marked *

    Chicago Pet Photographer

    Avalanche didn’t start life this way.
    ⠀
    Rescued from a hoarding situation through @reddoorshelter, his world was once crowded, uncertain, and far from safe.
    ⠀
    But something beautiful happened—
    his foster saw him… and never let him go.
    ⠀
    Avalanche is now home.
    ⠀
    ⠀
    Seen. Heard. Loved.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    239 17
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17892215679449348
    Avalanche didn’t start life this way. ⠀ Rescued from a hoarding situation through @reddoorshelter, his world was once crowded, uncertain, and far from safe. ⠀ But something beautiful happened— his foster saw him… and never let him go. ⠀ Avalanche is now home. ⠀ ⠀ Seen. Heard. Loved.

    Meet Blanca.
    Rescued, but still learning how to feel safe again.
    During her animal communication session, Blanca shared a feeling of being abandoned in the rain—until Michelle, her foster mom, found her and brought her to safety.
    “I’m scared… but I’m trying.”
    She’s waiting for someone to show her she’s finally home.
    Blanca and other incredible animals are available for adoption at SAYv Animal Organization (@sayvanimalorg).
    —
    The See Hear Love Project is the only project of its kind, combining animal communication and portrait photography to help rescue animals be seen, heard, and adopted.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    24 2
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18107239438871439
    Meet Blanca. Rescued, but still learning how to feel safe again. During her animal communication session, Blanca shared a feeling of being abandoned in the rain—until Michelle, her foster mom, found her and brought her to safety. “I’m scared… but I’m trying.” She’s waiting for someone to show her she’s finally home. Blanca and other incredible animals are available for adoption at SAYv Animal Organization (@sayvanimalorg). — The See Hear Love Project is the only project of its kind, combining animal communication and portrait photography to help rescue animals be seen, heard, and adopted.

    This is Part 2 of Ramona’s story from The See Hear Love Project™ — a Chicago-based initiative combining animal communication and fine-art photography to help foster animals be seen, heard, and adopted.
    Each session begins with an on-camera communication reading followed by a professional portrait session, allowing foster animals to connect with potential adopters through emotion and storytelling.
    Ramona’s message is part of a larger mission to bring visibility to animals waiting for homes and to highlight the life-saving power of fostering.
    Follow the project:
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cusicphoto
    Website: https://www.cusicphoto.com/
    Adopt a friend like Ramona! https://www.chicagolandpigrescue.com/

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    113 6
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17983757324968748
    This is Part 2 of Ramona’s story from The See Hear Love Project™ — a Chicago-based initiative combining animal communication and fine-art photography to help foster animals be seen, heard, and adopted. Each session begins with an on-camera communication reading followed by a professional portrait session, allowing foster animals to connect with potential adopters through emotion and storytelling. Ramona’s message is part of a larger mission to bring visibility to animals waiting for homes and to highlight the life-saving power of fostering. Follow the project: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cusicphoto Website: https://www.cusicphoto.com/ Adopt a friend like Ramona! https://www.chicagolandpigrescue.com/

    Your best friend at home deserves to be celebrated.
    Not just in your camera roll — but in fine art that lives on your wall.
    That’s why I hire a professional trainer for every session.
    Because your best friend deserves to feel safe, calm, and supported while we create something beautiful.
    And because women celebrate everyone else in their lives…
    Why not the one who waits for you at home?

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    43 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 17964304506040273
    Your best friend at home deserves to be celebrated. Not just in your camera roll — but in fine art that lives on your wall. That’s why I hire a professional trainer for every session. Because your best friend deserves to feel safe, calm, and supported while we create something beautiful. And because women celebrate everyone else in their lives… Why not the one who waits for you at home?

    For the women who love fiercely — and the dogs who love them right back. 🖤
    ⠀
    That kind of connection deserves to be remembered as art.

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    28 0
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18068090333221930
    For the women who love fiercely — and the dogs who love them right back. 🖤 ⠀ That kind of connection deserves to be remembered as art.

    From the shoot to the moment it comes together.
    Guava. 💜 #chicagopetphotographer #rescuedog #pitbullsofinstagram

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    19 1
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18549556654046432
    From the shoot to the moment it comes together. Guava. 💜 #chicagopetphotographer #rescuedog #pitbullsofinstagram

    During their animal communication reading, Sam and Frodo thanked their foster, Hilary, for saving their life. They also shared something about their past and their hope for the future: no more cages.

    This video is part of The See Hear Love Project — the only project that combines animal communication with fine-art photography to help adoptable animals be truly seen and heard.

    These bonded bunnies are ready for a safe, loving home where they can stay together.

    Sam and Frodo are available for adoption through @onetailatatime.

    SEEN. HEARD. LOVED.

    #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #rabbitrescue

    View Instagram post by cusicphoto
    50 6
    Open post by cusicphoto with ID 18096911227842223
    During their animal communication reading, Sam and Frodo thanked their foster, Hilary, for saving their life. They also shared something about their past and their hope for the future: no more cages. This video is part of The See Hear Love Project — the only project that combines animal communication with fine-art photography to help adoptable animals be truly seen and heard. These bonded bunnies are ready for a safe, loving home where they can stay together. Sam and Frodo are available for adoption through @onetailatatime. SEEN. HEARD. LOVED. #SeeHearLoveProject #AnimalCommunication #rabbitrescue

    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.

     

    Privacy Policy