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A new exhibit titled "Shopping Off State: Chicago’s Neighborhood Commercial Districts" has opened at the Harold Washington Library Center. The exhibit, located on the third floor, began on October 24, 2025, and will run until January 30, 2026.
The display uses materials from the Chicago Public Library Archives and Special Collections Division to explore the development of neighborhood retail centers in Chicago. It covers their origins, successes in the mid-20th century, and later declines. The exhibit highlights how local business districts allowed residents to shop for essentials without traveling downtown. These districts served diverse communities by addressing specific needs and often operated like small cities within neighborhoods.
According to the organizers, "Business districts in neighborhoods allowed Chicagoans to shop for all their needs without traveling to the Loop. Local stores catered to the specific needs of their communities. These business districts operated like a city within a city, serving ethnic enclaves and using neighbors’ shared languages."
The archival materials showcase changes in demographics, technology, and culture throughout Chicago's history. Organizers note that shopping habits reflect broader patterns of how people live: "The archival materials presented in Shopping Off State exemplify the history of the City of Chicago. Changes to demographics, technology and culture are all part of our story. Where we shop is one way to say how we live."
The public is encouraged to visit and reflect on past shopping experiences while learning about how consumer habits have influenced the city's development: "We invite you to remember the shopping of yesteryear and learn more about how the tastes and habits of Chicago’s shoppers shaped the city we share."
In addition to its main location at Harold Washington Library Center, a smaller version of "Shopping Off State" will be shown at West Englewood, Scottsdale, and West Town branches from December 1 through January 30.
