High profile border patrol and immigration agents may have largely moved on since “Operation Midway Blitz” wrapped up its campaign of terror in mid-November, but that doesn’t mean life for Chicago’s 600,000 immigrants and their communities is back to normal. Since the arrival of Greg Bovino and his agents in September, commercial activity in immigrant neighborhoods has been down as much as 70 percent. In majority Latine communites like La Villita, workers have been frightened to go to their jobs and families have been scared to do their shopping, for fear of being targeted by immigration raids. Add in the impact of recent heavy snowfalls and businesses are hurting across the city.
For all these reasons our gift guide this year is a guide to celebrating the holidays La Villita style. Here you’ll find tips on where to get the best cakes, pinatas, cowboy shirts and traditional gabanes and sarapes. There’s even a trolley to carry you from shop to shop so you don’t have to get your boots wet dashing through the snow. Shopping local is the best way to keep our Chicago diverse and strong, and to ensure that it remains a welcoming city for years to come.
Holiday Trolley
littlevillagechamber.org
Take a ride–an aventón–along 26th Street as you do your Christmas shopping.
The trolley is adorned with Christmas decor and sometimes includes a real-life “grinch.” It’s meant to encourage people to shop local by facilitating transportation that doesn’t cost a cent and can bring joy to kids to boot.
In the trolley’s second year, thirty-seven storefronts are participating in the promotional effort, which is sponsored by the Little Village Chamber of Commerce in collaboration with Special Service Area #25. Their kick-off event included pan dulce and hot beverages for all riders.
On December weekends only, two trolleys are in service that drive under the Bienvenidos arch and make stops at every CTA #60 bus stop between California and Kostner avenues. Check the chamber website for a map and list of businesses.
El Aventón Navideño “is our way of uplifting the heart of Little Village during a time when our small businesses need us most,” said executive director Jennifer Aguilar. “We’re creating even more opportunities for families to shop, dine, and explore 26th Street without the stress of parking.”
Whether you’re looking to take the perfect Christmas portrait, are scavenging for a gift, or are looking for a date activity, why not hop on the trolley before year’s end?
May Expressions
In one of the most dynamic shops on Cermak—a La Villita business corridor that has weathered the pandemic, rising rents, and most recently, ICE and border patrol abductions—you can find Mexican artesanías, traditional apparel, and cultural party supplies.
May Expressions’ specialties are their gabanes (aka ponchos) and the woven sweaters commonly referred to in English as Baja, bohemian, Rasta, hippie, or surf hoodies.
This particular vendor imports their garments from Tlaxcala, a state near Mexico City. Located in Contla de Juan Cuamatzi, the Arte Textil Netzahualcóyotl workshop, where they’re produced, doubles as a community center where the craft is passed down.
The making of gabanes, sarapes and jerga sweaters—as they’re really called—is done on weaving looms, according to May Expressions. They add that the Netzahualcóyotl family strives to keep pre-Hispanic designs alive while adapting them to modern times.
You’ll find a large selection of color combinations, and even Bears, Sox, and Cubs-inspired designs. There’s nothing more comforting than throwing one of these on when it’s freezing outside or as you watch the game.
May Expressions, 2855 W. Cermak Rd. (773) 801-0114.
Bombon
In La Villita’s flagship store, Bombon is where people pick up the cakes that carry them through the year such as birthdays, quinceañeras, graduations, and everything in between. In winter, the shop also offers holiday desserts and breads, especially the Rosca de Reyes: a ring-shaped sweet bread traditionally eaten in Mexico on January 6 to celebrate Three Kings Day. It’s topped with candied fruit and hides a small baby Jesus figurine inside. Whoever finds it in their slice is expected to host a party on February 2.
The tradition is passed down through generations, whether or not they observe the religious aspect. Bombon’s rosca is firm, softly textured, never too sweet. They take advance orders, and they deliver.
They also sell flan, fruitcakes, tres leches cakes, chocoflan, and other desserts that fit naturally onto a holiday table. It’s something to bring when you want to offer something slightly outside the usual. Everything is baked from scratch by a family with decades of practice, one of whom is a pastry chef trained in Paris. Most whole cakes run $35–$70, depending on size and flavor; individual pastries are typically $3–$6.
Bombon, 3834 W. 26th St. bomboncakes.com. Order through Instagram @bomboncakeschicago or by calling (312) 912-5077.
Ceasar’s Music of Illinois
Ceasar’s Music becomes your own under the sight of sprawling colors, textures, and potential sound just waiting to be brought to life as you step into this instrument store on 26th street. Formerly in the Discount Mall, after fifteen years the shop moved to its current location where it’s been for the past three years.
This music shop opens an entryway to endless possibilities with its diverse array of instruments, equipment, accessories, and services. Ceasar’s carries wind, brass, strings, percussions and more, offering contemporary styles and electric options while still boasting tried and true favorites for old school instrumentalists.
Beyond instruments, explore tech fit for at home enjoyment or full scale productions. Here you’ll find speakers, lighting, sound boards, and consoles at varying complexities and price points. Cesar’s also provides repairs for many of its offerings, maintenance on equipment and instruments, replacement parts and fresh accessories for seasoned gear that needs a new look.
Although the in-store experience is worth bearing the cold, you can shop their inventory online as well.
Ceasar’s Music of Illinois, 3407 W 26th St. ceasarsmusic.com, (773) 319-6372.
Numero Group
Founded in 2003, The Numero Group is a Chicago-based archival record label that takes obscure or initially unsuccessful musical releases from the 20th century and reissues or repackages them into new albums and physical products. While Numero also has offices in Los Angeles and London, their flagship record store, just off of 26th St, is the only place in the world to physically browse all of Numero’s catalogue.
Over the years, Numero has released vinyl box sets for 1970s rock band Blondie, 1990s slowcore Duster, and new age artist Laraaji, as well as many Chicago artists, such as Pastor T.L. Barrett, a South Side preacher who recorded gospel music in the 1970s, and 90 Day Men, a 2000s indie rock band.
Numero’s compilation albums include Purple Snow, a collection of 70s funk bands that forecasted The Minneapolis Sound; Basement Beehive, sounds from underground girl groups from the 1960s; and Acid Nightmares, which captures the vibes of the LSD-fueled 60s. On their website, Numero staff have curated a number of Spotify playlists if you want to listen before you buy, and the store also features board games and other merchandise.
Just make sure to plan your trip carefully—the record store is only open on some Fridays, so call or check their Instagram for details.
Numero Group, 2533 S Troy St. Open some Fridays, 12-6pm; closed all other days. (773) 522-5007. Instagram: @thenumerogroup