More Than 250 Small Chicago Businesses Now Listed on ShopInPlaceChi.com

CHICAGO—In just seven days online, www.ShopInPlaceChi.com has become a website where Chicago residents can find more than 250 small businesses selling products essential for residents sheltering at home. Tens of thousands of Chicagoans have used the site to search for small businesses by category and neighborhood.

The website is free to the public courtesy of the Institute for Justice Clinic on Entrepreneurship at the University of Chicago (IJ Clinic). The IJ Clinic provides free legal assistance, support and advocacy for low-income entrepreneurs in Chicago.

“Neighborhood small businesses have a lot to offer to Chicagoans during this difficult time,” said IJ Clinic Director Beth Kregor. “The number of small businesses listing products they offer at ShopinPlaceChi.com is growing rapidly and it’s been heartening to watch new pins fill up the site’s map. The increasing number of businesses participating makes the site more useful both to consumers and businesses.”

One of the businesses listed at the site’s launch last week is Dinobi Detergent, which manufactures and sells all-natural detergent. Augustine Emuwa, co-owner of Dinobi Detergent said, “It may be early but we feel that this idea is turning into another great platform for building an ecosystem here on the South Side and Chicago as a whole.”

The website continues to welcome new submissions from Chicago small businesses selling products in categories such as bath and cleaning products, books, educational supplies, games and toys, food and more. Businesses interested in being listed on the website should visit shopinplacechi.com/submit-your-business/ and fill out a short form with information about the products they offer, their neighborhood locations, and how consumers can safely purchase their products through delivery or curbside pickup. Listings will be added after a review by IJ Clinic staff and volunteers.

The IJ Clinic also continues to update a webpage with information on changes to Chicago’s local business laws and regulations during the COVID-19 outbreak, federal legislation, and links to other resources at: ij.org/COVID19resources.

IJ Clinic Director Beth Kregor is available for interviews via phone or video conference. Contact Andrew Wimer, IJ Assistant Communications Director, at [email protected] or (703) 298-5938 to arrange.