T-Shirts Support Small Businesses In The 19th Ward: Biz Beat

CHICAGO — New t-shirts have been made to remind residents of the Beverly, Morgan Park and Mount Greenwood neighborhoods to keep shopping local. They are the undertaking of Dave Burchett and The Plug T-Shirt store on 111th Street in Mount Greenwood, founder of the recent "9Teen Strong" monopoly game that earlier this year also promoted supporting local small businesses.

Burchett said he began buying gift cards for neighborhood businesses and started raffling them off shortly after the new coronavirus was declared a pandemic and all non-essential businesses were closed as a result of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's "stay-at-home" order that was declared on March 22.

Shortly after that, the new t-shirts that have the words "think," "shop," "buy" and "local" on the front were produced. Sales of the shirt began online Monday, and more than 50 were sold in just the first few hours they were available Burchett said. Buy the shirts online here via the SHOP LOCAL store. T-shirts are going for either $20 and $25, with hoodies featuring the same design going for $34.

Half of every item sold goes to the local businesses that are also selling the shirts themselves. Burchett said that includes County Fair Foods, Barraco's, Fat Tommy's, Diggity Dogs, Bacon & Jam, The Plug, AVANCE Warehouse, Open Outcry Brewing Company and Cakewalk Chicago.

"Our main point is for people to help support these local businesses that are struggling right now," Burchett said.

All those who buy online have to do is state which business they'd like to receive half of the proceeds before checkout.