Always Andersonville: The Podcast

This week, Laura and Sara are joined by Rebecca Pope of RMP Chicago Events and Robyn Lytle of The Lytle House via our first post-hiatus official Zoom Podcast. We, like all of you, have been following the Stay-at-Home orders, so this is a new experience. Rebecca Pope has worked in a variety of event, hospitality and customer service positions for the last 23 years, and has a thing for weddings. Fou...

This week, Laura, Joelle and Sara record the podcast via Zoom. Like so many of you, our staff is working remotely due to the mandated shelter-in-place order, and finding new ways to engage in current technology to ensure our messages reach you in an efficient and timely fashion. Although we do not have a new business story to share with you today, we did want to provide you with a quick update on...

This week, Laura and Sara are joined by James Moriarty of Urban Renewal Brewery . Established in 2017, Urban Renewal Brewery is a craft brewery serving patrons with locally inspired beer brewed with the utmost attention to detail. You can visit their brewery located at 5121 N Ravenswood and beer fans can soon visit their new tap room space coming soon to the former Andersonville Brewing location a...

As we Shelter in Place to protect those around us, we hope this week's podcast brings a little more joy to your day. In this week's episode, Laura and Sara are joined by Ellie O’Brien, owner, founder and creative force behind Hungry By Nature . Launched in 2015, Hungry by Nature is a brand about balance and moderation. According to Ellie, it is about feeding your physical hunger with natural foods...

This week, we celebrate our official 100th episode with a special look back at the origins of this podcast including choosing the name, discovering our partnership with Studio C, developing our style of storytelling narrative, and creating plenty of off air bloopers along the way! Plus, our Chamber staff reflects back on memorable episodes and gives a look into their roles at the Chamber.

Welcome to #AlwaysAndersonville: The Podcast. As we prepare to air our official 100th episode on Tuesday, March 10, here is a short trailer uploaded especially for our new listeners on Spotify. 

This week, Laura and Sara are joined by Rabbi Craig Marantz and Leah Jones of Emanuel Congregation . Emanuel Congregation, founded in 1880, is a Jewish Reform synagogue affiliated with the Union for Reform Judaism , and was incorporated in 1898 as "Emanuel Congregation of Chicago." Even after 140 years, Emanuel Congregation continues to grow and emphasize their value of building community. Regardl...

This week, Laura and Heather are joined by Briana DeBolt and Chamere Orr, local food influencers for the healthy lifestyle brand, A Full Living . As creators of delicious low-carb at-home recipes and Chicago foodies who love to travel, Briana and Chamere focus on showing their followers how to live a fulfilled life without breaking the bank. They combine their talents for marketing and photography...

This week, Laura and Sara join Cornel "Junior" Ladan, owner of Cas Hardware at 5305 N Clark. Cas Hardware, and Junior, have been neighborhood institutions since 1978 and they will finally close their doors this Saturday, February 15, after 41 years. Enjoy this on-location episode and wish Cas and Junior a fond farewell this week.    

In today's special BONUS Episode, Laura is joined by Hallie Borden of Milk Handmade to discuss the 4th annual With Love from Andersonville neighborhood charity give-back weekend coming up February 14-16, 2020. 

This week Laura is joined by Valerie Friedlander . Valerie is Certified Life Leadership Coach specialized in helping highly-motivated, social-justice oriented women create a life of impact AND enjoyment. Clients have called her a little love-vitamin for your soul, a mindset magician, and a motivational unicorn. Valerie can help you uncover your subconscious mindset blocks and create alignment betw...

This week Laura and Heather are joined by Kirstin Franklin of Akvavit Theatre to talk about all things Hygge. Hygge is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment as cozy, charming or special. Hygge origins are Scandinavian, but it is an experience anyone can create in their own life. Such experiences revolve around creating a feeling of inner warmth, content and peace, and this happ...

Today we are joined by Pat Staszak owner of Andersonville Physical Therapy and Wellness Center. Andersonville Physical Therapy is a community-based rehabilitation center that has been part of Chicago's Andersonville neighborhood since 1999. They are committed to providing patients with expert care in a professional, healing environment at 5414 N Broadway.

This week we are joined by Tamte Meladze of Oda Meditteranean Cuisine. Oda showcases the flavor of the Ottoman kitchen and brings together the eclectic food traditions of Turkey and  neighboring Mediterranean countries including France, Italy and Georgia while indulging Chicagoans in an overwhelmingly delicious authentic culinary experience at 5657 N Clark.

This week we are joined by Steven Sanchez and Giselle LaBorde Sanchez of Mena Tours and Travel. Established in 1965, Mena Tours and Travel wants to share the world and bring you the best cruises, vacations and packages. Their friendly, knowledgeable agents will work hard to bring you the best at 5209 N Clark now on the 2nd floor.

This week we are joined by Abigail Watkins and Paul Lee from Dispensary 33. Dispensary 33 made history as the first location in the city of Chicago where one could purchase cannabis legally with a medical cannabis card. They display all marijuana goods to its customers, allowing patients to personally inspect their meds. With a large menu of flowers, extracts, edibles and topicals, this dispensary...

In this week's BONUS episode, we hear holiday poems, jokes and singing from the students at Rogers Park Montessori School (1800 W. Balmoral), along with a live reading of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and the Christmas Classic, The Night Before Christmas, read by students and Rogers Park Montessori School and  Friends of Andersonville  co-founder, Randy Heite! Curl up, grab a cup of hot cocoa, an...

Laura and Joelle are joined by Lindsey Anderson owner and Sommalier of Uvae Kitchen and Wine Bar. Uvae offers balance, flavor, and ingenuity in their food and in their service to community. Expect the personality of each wine to inspire stories to share at 5553 N Clark. To view episode show notes, please  click here . 

This week, Laura is joined by Catherine Selen of the Swedish American Museum, here to talk with us about the tradition of St. Lucia, which takes place this Friday, December 13. The celebration comes from stories told by monks who first brought Christianity to Sweden. St. Lucia was a young Christian girl who was martyred and killed for her faith in the year 304 AD. The most common story told about...

This week Joelle and Laura are joined by Tanner McSwain owner of Uncharted Books, a used and rare bookstore, secret club, and event space in Andersonville at 5140 N Clark. To view episode show notes, please click here.

This week we are joined by Lauren Ocello of Twidley Bits. Twidley Bits is the labor of love from this former chocolatier and takes the best the season has to offer and turns them into scrumptious jams, fruit butters, pickles and plant-based cheeses that you and your loved ones can enjoy all year long. They help you put breakfast on the table, snacks on the buffet, and treats in everyone's tummies...

This week we are joined by Broker and real estate consultant, Ellen Baren.  If you are interested in buying or selling in Chicago or the Northern Suburbs, working with Ellen you can expect a solid knowledge base of neighborhoods, homes and schools. Ellen's grasp of the history and market along the lakefront and surrounding neighborhoods is unique. As one client said, “Ellen is stellar. She maintai...

This week, Joelle and Laura are joined by Mark Bires and Trey Elder of J erry’s . Known for their extensive beer and whiskey selection, great music, beautiful outdoor patio space, and humor, Jerry’s has been serving curious, thoughtful sandwiches in Andersonville since 2012 at 5419 N Clark. Jerry's is also a featured stop for this weekend's Andersonville Viking Pub Crawl !

This week, Heather and Joelle are joined by Jill Knobeloch of GrapeSeed Designs  and Aville Cowork .   Jill works to blend a company’s voice, culture, and unique character to create a truly authentic representation of brand. She helps small to medium-sized businesses establish and grow their brand image through consistent, clean, and professional visual applications. She is also starting a new cow...