John Park and Dan Schreck are both artists and art collectors who enjoy discovering new gifted artists.

They share a distinct passion for abstract art, minimalist design, and architecture. John and Dan come together in a sophisticated and forward-looking partnership, as Park Schreck Gallery.

Park Schreck Gallery finds talented artists and connects them with buyers who are looking for original artwork. Amazing art, great value.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a business owner?

John Park: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to trust my gut.

Dan Schreck: I realized that every sale truly matters for small businesses. Every sale helps keeps our doors open longer and gives us the opportunity to do what we do.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business in Chicago?

JP: Starting any business can be complicated. The best advice I can give is to talk to as many successful people as you can. Also, know your audience/potential clientele.

DS: Take a risk, think big.

What product or service of yours are you the most excited about offering?

JP: We are on an encaustic kick right now... love the iridescence!

DS: Totally agree. Encaustic painting has been a lot of fun.

What do you like the most about being located in Wicker Park Bucktown?

DS: Wicker Park Bucktown is great. The creative history of this part of the city is amazing. We’re thrilled to be located where both art buyers and art makers live. That is unusual.

What are the places in Wicker Park Bucktown that you cannot live without?

JP: Lucia’s.

What can people expect when they walk in your front door?

DS: People can expect to see emerging talent from Chicago and beyond.

Do you have any stories of successful cross-promotions that you have done with other local businesses?

JP: Our neighbors have been really supportive. We have artwork hanging next door at Milano. Their clientele has responded extremely well to our work and we have made several sales to their customers.

Francis Kestler is the President and CEO of BlueJacket Financial.  

BlueJacket Financial provides financing and capital to small, medium and large business. 

Francis will also be writing a monthly, small business finance blog for the WPB Chamber. His first post, " Accounts Receivable Factoring: The working capital a business needs," will be posted next Monday, the 10th of June. Be sure to keep following for more invaulable tips, resources, and insight into the murky waters of small business finance.

Seeing how hard it was for business owners to get the funding they need from traditional banking sources.  There are many businesses that lack the necessary capital to sustain or grow their business.  BlueJacket Financial was created to give business owners funding options for their business whether they’re a startup, an existing business looking to expand, or a turnaround story.  

Briefly describe your business and introduce yourself            

My name is Peter Greenbaum and my business is called Tea Lake Productions.  We specialize in video scriptwriting and video and media production for all types of businesses – large and small.

Where did you get the inspiration to open your business?

I’ve worked extensively in film and video production and also have a background in copywriting for websites. I wanted to combine these two areas into one business that celebrates creativity, clarity and communication.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a business owner? 

Assumption is the mother of all #%@& -ups.

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business in Chicago?

Go for it. The business community in Chicago is very supportive. There are all kinds of great networking opportunities and resources for business owners.

What product or service of yours are you the most excited about offering?

Tea Lake Productions offers “impact movies” which are short, powerful profiles of businesses and their services, products and personnel.  We blend intimate on-camera interviews with graphics, footage and effects to create an irresistible story.

Hi – my name is Jane.  I am the owner of VALENTIA studio/boutique, 2042 N Damen Avenue.

The shop is laid out like an actual apartment: the front room has ladies wear, accessories and a few specialty items for the men.  The kitchen has kitchen stuff, the bedroom has custom headboards and “bedroom” things.  The bathroom has bath items.  There is also a little nook with baby items [mostly all handmade]. 

My goal is to keep PRICES MODERATE!

Where did you get the inspiration to open your business?  

I’ve been playing “store” since I was 4 years old! 

What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business in Chicago? 

Go with your gut. 

What product or service of yours are you the most excited about offering? 

I really enjoy carrying local artist’s work and Fair Trade items.  I am designing a line of summer dresses that are locally made!  This is the first I’ve mentioned this to anyone!  It is very exciting! 

What do you like the most about being located in Wicker Park Bucktown?  

I am so thankful for the day I happened upon this location!  Being new to Chicago I really didn’t know the depth of WPB!  It has such a great vibe – I feel so lucky to be here!  I love the neighborhood feel in an urban setting and the mix of apartments, homes, parks, churches and shops all working together to make up this great area. 

What are the places in Wicker Park Bucktown that you cannot live without?  

I haven’t had much time to explore now that I am in retail… But every restaurant we’ve tried has been super – both the florists are great – salons, barber shops….seems we can find pretty much everything here!  It’s hard to beat TOAST for breakfast/lunch. 

What kind of people are your customers?  

I am starting to get repeat business from the locals which I SO appreciate! …THANK YOU, LOCALS!  

But very surprisingly [to me] is the amount of out of towners  I am seeing!  Not only U.S. but also Europe and Asia!  One day I had over 7 countries represented in the shop! 

What can people expect when they walk in your front door?  

A COLORFUL AND HAPPY VIBE!

Do you have any stories of successful cross-promotions that you have done with other local businesses? 

The Christmas SHOP LOCAL and the SHOP for your LOCAL SCHOOL Event was super!!  I also did a ladies night out with a Mary Kay cosmetic rep.  We had such a nice turn out and such a good time!  I would definitely team up with others for promotions!  Last summer’s sidewalk sale was also a good event! 

What ways has the Chamber been helpful to building your business? 

I think the Chamber reaches so many more people than I have access to.  I like the events and promotions they have.  I will participate in whatever they offer! 

These weekly member business spotlights are a benefit of Chamber membership. If you're a member and would like to be featured on our blog, please contact us at info@wickerparkbucktown.com.

This blog entry was contributed by: Mark Dollard, Broker at Chicago Properties Inc. Visit his blog at dollardnsense.com. He can be reached at mark.dollard@gmail.com.

One of the newest places in the WPB area has been opening to great reviews, and it’s not a fluke.

The Red Door hits all the right buttons for those of us who are into consumption (as in, eating and drinking interesting and delicious things). Everything I've tried evokes classic dishes, but puts a spin on them to bring them to a higher level.

The food that I have had there has been really good, and has the right amount of creativity. For instance, people that are really into meat will tell you that collar meat is some of the most tender and tastiest meat that you can get from a given animal (pork, fish, etc.)  So, when Red Door puts a pork collar taco in front of you, it’s best to give it a try. The accompanying salsa verde is just right and the use of collar meat makes this taco stick out in the increasingly competitive WPB taco scene.  Another good example is the lobster deviled egg.  It takes a fairly standard dish and takes it to the just-right level of richness.  

The drink selection and care at the Red Door also keeps in line with this thinking.  

There are a lot of interesting beer and wine selections and the mixologists do a very nice job. I ordered a Rye Manhattan up (it’s my baseline drink order for judging a bartender) and it was like no other Rye Manhattan I’ve had…in a good way. There was a fruitiness one wouldn’t normally find and the entire drink was more cohesive than I expect from cocktails. 

To top all of it off, a lot of the plates are very reasonably priced and they have one of the best patios in Chicago.  In short, our newest neighbors have created a great place to try a few things, get some inspired flavors, and enjoy a comfortable-yet-hip place.

This blog entry was contributed by: Mark Dollard, Broker at Chicago Properties Inc. Visit his blog at dollardnsense.com. He can be reached at mark.dollard@gmail.com.

If you are like me, you probably love getting a great deal when you go out.

Over the years, I’ve built a reputation among my friends for having a keen awareness of all the food and drink specials in any place where I live (some might call this being a “cheapskate”).  Fortunately for the value conscious among us, there are great deals to be found for anyone who wants to enjoy Wicker Park and Bucktown.  Here are some categories and the specials you’ll want to check out in the neighborhood.

Meatiest Special

Tuesday – Smoke Daddy: $6 Pulled Meat Nachos AND $5 Craft Beer Flights.  You will go home with a full belly and smelling of delicious smoke.

Most “Eat and Drink Like A European” Special

Monday – Map Room: $1 off Belgian beers AND free meats and cheeses.  I get flashbacks to my time living in Amsterdam whenever I think about this special.

Most Extensive Weekend Specials

Friday to Sunday – Pint: too many good drink specials to list.  It’s the rare spot that gives you good deals on beverages all weekend long. Cheers to that!

Best Special to Try a Wide Range of Items at a Great Price

Thursday – Salud Tequila Lounge: $1, $2, $3 appetizers.  These are small appetizers that are creative, tasty and fun to eat.  You can try all kinds of them and still end up with a small bill.

The Specials that Pair Very Well with Sports

Tuesday – Cans: $3 Lite Drafts AND half price appetizers.  There was a great place to watch college basketball that had half price appetizers on Tuesdays when I was in school.  This special brings back fond memories…

Bulls and Cubs Games – The Anthem: $16 domestic beer buckets and free homemade chex mix.  If that doesn’t make you feel at home, not much will.

Most ‘Unique’ Special

The ‘Unbelievable Beer Price’ Special

All Week Extravaganza

Now you have the information, and if you have a few bucks you can go out and have a good old time any night of the week.  Happy “bar”-gain hunting!

This blog post was contributed by: Malcolm Logan, a freelance writer and Wicker Park Bucktown resident. Visit his website at www.fillmyemptyblogspace.com. He can be reached at malcolm.logan@rcn.com.

It’s a requirement. In Chicago, every neighborhood worth its salt has to have an Irish pub.

In Wicker Park it's called Pint.  

With heavy oak woodwork, panel moldings and ornate chandeliers, Pint nails an authentic Anglo-Irish decor.  A characteristic red London phone booth out front completes that across-the-pond feel. 

In Chicago, Irish pubs are understood to be solid local hang outs during the week as well as the happy hunting grounds of eager singles on the weekends. During the week, Pint passes muster, providing a friendly staff, adequate in number, ready to serve, and featuring 18 quality beers on tap, with an emphasis on Irish products like Guiness, Smithwicks and Harp.  For food it offers shepherd’s pie, a selection of burgers, and fish and chips, hitting all the right notes.  As for décor, Pint’s library room is like something out of Sherlock Holmes, with a pillared and mantled fireplace, Edwardian mirrors and overstuffed sofas, great for relaxing in. 

On the weekends, Pint pumps up the volume.  The cavernous bar with its brick archways and swanky upstairs loft overflow with spirited twenty-somethings, laughing, mingling and dancing.  More than a dozen TVs show sports, some up close and at eye-level within the confines of individual alcoves.  In fact, cozy nooks and comfortable corners abound, making Pint a great place to hang out with friends or get acquainted.

In the summer, Pint comes alive with comfortable sidewalk dining along one of the busiest sections of Milwaukee Avenue, perfect for people watching while relaxing in the heart of vibrant Wicker Park. 

When it comes to food, in addition to its Irish staples, Pint offers eighteen appetizers, seven salads, fourteen sandwiches, and a selection of main courses.  Beyond its eighteen drafts, Pint offers more than 40 beers in bottles, as well as cocktails, wine and a full bar.

Every Chicago neighborhood has an Irish pub – it’s practically a rule - and Wicker Park has Pint.

From local hangout to pulsing nightspot to great sidewalk dining, Pint covers all the bases.  It’s everything an Irish pub should be, and more.   

Pint

1547 N. Milwaukee
(773) 772-0990
Su-F: 11am-2am; Sa: 11am-3am

Only a Few More Days Left to Enter to Win a Beautiful Bucktown Poster

Answer questions on what kinds of businesses you'd like to see in Wicker Park Bucktown and where you'd like to spend your dollars and you're entered to win this beautiful screen-printed Bucktown poster by StudioChris. Make sure to include your email address for a chance to win! Take our survey now. 

May Chamber Mixer at The Anthem

When: Wed, May 16th, 6-8pm
Where: The Anthem, 1725 W. Division
Cost: Free for Chamber Members, $5 for Non-Members
Grow your network or just casually meet your neighbors at the Chamber's May Networking Event at The Anthem! Click here for more information and to RSVP. 

Summer Sidewalk Sales

Wicker Park Fest 2012

Every Day is Earth Day

Keep up your efforts to go green and save money with some earth-friendly ideas that you can act on any day of the year: 

Small Business Energy Savings Program 

Small businesses receive expert advice on energy-saving improvements for their business, and assistance with the application for rebates on energy improvement investment. There are program freebies too, such as compact fluorescent lamps, faucet aerators, and pre-rinse sprayers! For more information, please click here. 

10 Simple Things: WPB Green Designation 

The Wicker Park Bucktown Chamber's Green Committee has assembled a list of actions, ranging from simple, low-cost tasks to big ticket investments with long term pay-offs for member businesses that wish to go green and save money. Review the list, complete ten action items, and earn "WPB Green" designation. For more information, please click here. 

Featured Green & Eco-Friendly Chamber Members:

Greenheart Shop, 1911 W. Division, is Chicago's premier eco-fair trade non-profit shop, carrying eco fair trade products made by artisans from around the world.

The ReBuilding Exchange, 2160 N. Ashland, a project of the Delta Institute, offers reclaimed building materials at a fraction of the cost, keeping them out of our landfills, and available to residents at all income levels, particularly those who can't afford the rising costs of such materials. Classes and volunteer opportunities also available!

Reynolds Power/Zap My Bill, 1286 N. Milwaukee, is a commercial, medical, municipal and industrial full-service energy solutions company that offers a fresh and innovative process for helping you save money on electricity and natural gas. 

For a complete list of Green & Eco-Friendly Chamber Member Businesses, please click here.

This blog entry was contributed by: Mark Dollard, Realtor. Visit his blog at dollardnsense.com. He can be reached at mark.dollard@gmail.com.

As the weather turns especially nice and springtime has settled in, weekend brunch becomes something akin to a necessity.

For the design, health and eco-conscious, you would be hard pressed to find a better option than prasino.  It’s a modern, chic spot that prides itself on sustainable dining options.  Everything is done here with style, even the tea service.  The menu is quite comprehensive and it’s one of the rare Chicago places that will include pancakes with your omelette (that’s a huge plus in my book).





For a little more casual option, Milk and Honey Cafe is right down the street and boasts a lively, yet cozy vibe for brunch. The menu isn’t huge, but every item is very well-thought-out and imaginative.  It’s definitely the kind of place where you don’t want to substitute ingredients because they have been put together with great care.  

If you are looking for traditional southern brunch, there’s no place better than (well, kind of obviously) The Southern to tame your brunch cravings.  The doughnuts are a great starter with a very nice coffee anglaise for dipping and all the dishes are very well made.  Plus, they have good drink specials and an extensive set of Bloody Marys to choose from (ask your server).






Brunch doesn’t get any bigger or livelier than at Feast in Bucktown.  Feast boasts a very diverse menu (anything from chilaquiles to crab benedict) and a huge crowd on the weekends. This is a favorite spot for families and an institution to many Wicker Park and Bucktown community insiders.