My Chicago hosted by John Grafft

I explore the process of brewing beer from start to finish with Head of Brewery Operations Ben Saller as he provides an in-depth tour of the Burnt City Brewing facility inside the District Brew Yards in West Town, Chicago. District Brew Yards is a first of its kind brewing collective in the nation that houses a brewery, beer hall and shop all in one location. Burnt City Brewing has 10 fresh, rotat...

I sit down with my friend Phillip Shaw CFP® and talk real estate and planning. Phillip is a Senior Financial Advisor at the Goldstone Financial Group who advises individuals and families on achieving their financial goals, focusing in retirement, income, tax and estate planning.

I caught up with my old friend Laura Holloway at her business Sol Chicago. Laura is a Division 1 Volleyball Player turned healthy active lifestyle entrepreneur. Her deep passion for developing leaders through physical, mental and emotional transformation drives her to change lives daily. She has grown two successful businesses, co-founded the non-profit MOLO Global, and is a spiritual thought lead...

I had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with Thomas Roszak of Moceri+Roszak. Thomas Roszak (1966, Chicago ) is an American architect, real estate developer, business executive, author, and academic. Roszak has developed, designed, and built commercial properties, hotels, condominiums, and private residences in Illinois and Arizona. He founded and runs four companies involved in architecture...

Ada Li shows me around a 4 unit residential building under construction, pre drywall, and sits down to provide an in-depth slice of life of as a construction project manager. Winner Construction Inc. is a second generation family run business working in the Chicagoland area since 1984. They focus on single family homes, mixed-use buildings and light commercial buildings. They are versatile and can...

Isabel and I met while filming at metta baby (check out that video if you haven't). Afterwards, I would randomly see her around town and then come to find out that a number of people I know had eaten her cakes. They're legendary in the community. I knew nothing of her story until this interview. Enjoy!

Chicago based Anthony Michael’s interior ingenuity has established him as a distinguished industry leader and influencer for more than three decades. As a student in the design capitals of New York City and Paris, he developed an award winning, cohesive client-based approach to interior design that is at once inspirational, functional, and aspirational. He specializes in classical and eclectic int...

La Scarola has been one our favorite Chicago Italian spots for a long time. From the hand drawn menus to rambunctious Armando, nowhere else compares. Tell him you saw this video when you check it out! Address: 721 W Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60654

Annie Eggleston and Realtor John Grafft discuss Play2Day. Play2Day is an hourly childcare play space that creates a safe, nurturing environment for parents to drop off their children on a convenient and flexible schedule.

Southport Lanes in Chicago's Southport Corridor was an iconic Chicago bar with a history longer than their bowling lanes. From Prohibition to prostitution, Southport Lanes Chicago was a staple that will always be remembered differently than Chicago bars.

Andi Sigler is the owner and operator of Vive Float Studio in Old Town Chicago. They offer float tanks, cryotherapy, infrared saunas, vibroacoustic therapy, and dry salt therapy in addition to other services. There are three locations nationwide. Info: 1513 N. Wells St., 2nd Fl Chicago, IL 60610 312.525.VIVE (8483)

Richards Fabulous Finds has been my go-to for vintage clothing and style advice for years. There is only one shop you have to go to in Chicago when searching for retro clothing. Proprietor, Richard Biasi, draws on his extensive background in luxury menswear and boasts a resume that includes client-facing positions at Bloomingdale's, Ralph Lauren, and Neiman Marcus. His years of experience dres...

Phil Masi is the owner of Pure Green Chicago which specializes in cleanses, smoothies, açaí / pitaya bowls, juice shots, and catering. These products are non-gmo, kosher, and organic. This Lincoln Park location is the first in Chicago from this New York start-up with a Wicker Park location coming soon. See below for the addresses and ordering information: Lincoln Park: 2344 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago,...

Jeff Irwin, Sheree Abbass, and I sit on stools and talk about running a family business with multiple stores throughout Chicago and how they picked their locations, how they work with their stylists, and how they keep a family of employees happy and healthy while doing what they love. Their shops are fun and well-designed for today's feel and style. Enjoy!

We had a blast sitting down with the team of Pizza Fried Chicken Ice Cream (now closed). They've been voted as one of the best new restaurants in American by Esquire, were just featured in Food and Wine magazine, and are on the tongues both figuratively and literally of Chicagoans. We talked about how it all got started, how it's going now, and what the future holds. We learned a lot about...

John Grafft (@grafftrealestate) sits down with Benjamin Pourkhalili and discusses the challenges and successes of running an independent, locally-owned fine wine, spirits, and beer retailer and how to compete with major retailers.

Cocoa + Co. Chocolate Cafe is the perfect place to celebrate gourmet chocolate in all its delicious forms, offering exceptionally crafted beverages, freshly baked pastries, a rotating selection of bonbons and confections, and an extensive collection of bean-to-bar chocolate from across the globe. Founder Kim Hack's love for all things chocolate inspires a curated menu that sparks joy no matter...

Dennis Burgener, AIA, NCARB, has a wealth of information and has been responsible for educating me throughout the years about design, construction, and architecture. An Illinois native with a lifetime of practice throughout the Midwest, he graduated, with honors, Master of Architecture, Double Masters program from The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. He has been a licensed, practicing a...

Welcome to Cafecito. Here, you can reintroduce yourself to the essence of coffee without taking away its integrity. As you sit back in a comfortable dining room, take in the sounds and aromas of Latin America. Enjoy one of their pressed sandwiches, entrees or specialty salads inspired by these culinary countries. Cafecito takes pride in using fresh, all natural ingredients. They make sure guests c...

Chicago Realtor John Grafft and Rachel Harangody talk about infant fitness and what metta baby is. They offer infant water stimulation, baby massage instruction, developmental activities & education beginning at two weeks old. It is their mission to provide a solid socialization and support system for infants and their caregivers in the earliest of stages.

We sit down with Addington Gallery owner Dan Addington about curating a space for creatives. Addington Gallery was originally founded in 1988 as Gwenda Jay Gallery. In 1981 founder Gwenda Jay moved to Chicago and became one of River North's pioneers as co-owner of Klein Gallery before opening her own space on Superior Street in 1988. Dan Addington's earliest association with the gallery be...

We sit down with Zach Witt, owner of ilumen, LLC. This solar power company was founded on the basis of educating, promoting, and deploying photovoltaic technology in the Chicagoland area, which is not typically known for large quantities of renewable energy. ilumen Solar, brings renewable energy to homes and commercial buildings in the form of attractive and long-lasting rooftop solar panels. Thro...

We talk with Andy Pates (@isthatmyglass) about starting a spirits distribution company in Chicago. From red tape, passion, and operations, we dive deep into what's trending and why. We even drink some great vermouth.

We chat with developer Jennie Berger, Co-Owner of Property People LLC, at one of her new construction properties 2820 N Rockwell St and breakdown the business of new construction and how she got started.

Yuna Nordeen (@yunacooks) & John Grafft (@grafftrealestate) talk pizza with Derrick Tung (@pauliegeeslogansquare) of Paulie Gee's Logan Square and Wicker Park in Chicago.