Jigsaw puzzles from Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce aim to save neighborhood small businesses

ByJalyn Henderson Localish logo
Monday, November 30, 2020
Puzzles with a purpose set out to save Ravenswood's small businesses
Puzzles with a purpose set out to save Ravenswood's small businessesChicago's Ravenwood neighborhood is trying to keep local small businesses afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic through jigsaw puzzles with unique community features like Malt Row and Shelley's Freeze through the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

CHICAGO -- Piece by piece, Ravenswood community members are working to keep their chamber of commerce afloat.

"We are committed to helping the Ravenswood business community thrive and supporting our vibrant, local economy," said Jessica Licklider, Project Manager at the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce.

Like many chambers of commerce in the city, GRCC has had to cancel several in-person activities because of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a normal year, events like the Taste of Ravenswood and the Ravenswood ArtWalk help raise funds for the non-profit organization.

"We are definitely feeling the pressure," Licklider said. "With events being canceled, we were trying to figure out different ways that we could fundraise."

That fundraising solution? Puzzles.

Each puzzle is created by a local artist, showcasing something unique about the Ravenswood community.

"I just really wanted to honor the neighborhood so I created this bird's eye view map by hand," said Phil Thompson, owner and founder of Cape Horn Illustration.

Places like Malt Row and the now-gone Shelley's Freeze are also now in puzzle form.

"It's got lots of bright signage and hand-painted signs," artist Emily Rapport said. "It's kind of a classic Chicago fast food joint."

All of the money raised is going right back to the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce; in turn, helping the small businesses in the neighborhood.

"People want to be part of a community so this is just a nice way to engage people and show them that we're all still connected," Rapport said.