New Latino-owned businesses giving Chicago’s Division Street an economic boost

CHICAGO — Division Street between Western and California, the heart of the Puerto Rican community in Chicago, has experienced an economic burst the last couple of months with the opening a handful of new Latino-owned businesses. 

It’s a welcomed development in a neighborhood that has been fighting total gentrification for decades.

Thirty years ago, giant steel flags were hoisted in Humboldt Park, not only to frame the most Puerto Rican street in Chicago, but to make sure that it wouldn’t loose its identity as such when gentrification kept coming west on division street.

Back in 2016 former alderman and current CEO of the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture Billy Ocasio told WGN News that the flags were actually working.

But it hasn’t been an easy three decades with rent and property taxes sky rocketing in Humboldt Park. Division Street has seen its fair share of empty store fronts. That’s why the opening of five new Latino owned businesses in the last two months has been a welcomed sight.

State Representative for the 4th District Lillian Jimenez credits the designation of Division Street as a state cultural district back in 2023 for the retail burst of the last few weeks.

“What we are talking about with cultural district is using the power of the state to try and help businesses stay in place and grow in place,” Jimenez said.

Pe Erre Domino Club opened its doors in June at 2558 W. Division.

Ya Ready Boutique at 2735 W Division one of the few clothing stores in Humboldt Park.

Sara’s Cocina is the new version of an old spot on Division Street

And the newest kids on the block are Smash Jibarito at 2534 Division.

WGN’s Ana Beleval visited these new businesses that are bringing a breath of fresh air to the neighborhood.