My Chicago hosted by John Grafft

We listen to Tim Wurman’s story on operating and owning a family-run independent bookstore in Chicago's Lakeview neighborhood located at the six-way intersection of Lincoln Avenue, Wellington Avenue, and Southport Avenue. Three Avenues Bookshop is a general interest bookstore open to all story lovers, and aims to promote literacy, connection, and engagement within our community, city, and beyond.

We sit down and talk shop with Gianna, the owner of Rebel Lash & Brow Studios (Rebellash) in the heart of Lake View. She has been an eyelash extensions specialist for 8 years and aims to provide only the best lashes and brows solution in Chicagoland. See full video interview link in our bio! #chicagorealestate #chicagoentrepreneurs #chicagosmallbusiness #eyelashextensions #chicagoeyebrows

Stuart Grannen, founder of Architectural Artifacts, Inc. (AAI) talks shop with us on collecting unique statement pieces and treasures while delving into his background on the passion. Following its 35-year legacy as one of the nation’s top destinations for globally sourced design and architectural statement pieces, AAI has reimagined a 35,000-square-foot Mid Century-style school to introduce its latest concept. Brainchild of legendary antiques dealer and Founder Stuart Grannen in partnership with Robert and Debra Baum of Bedderman Hospitality, AAI will infuse hospitality with world-class design. The concept will invite guests to experience chef-driven food and beverage offerings, as well as multi-use private and large-scale event spaces in addition to its signature art, antiques, and one-of-a-kind furnishings.

We sit down with Mark Pomarico, Design Principal, and Andy Weber, Principal, at Booth Hansen and dive into the process and passion behind designing homes, apartments, and communal structures among other properties in Chicago and around the country. Founded in 1980, Booth Hansen is a nationally-recognized architecture, planning, and interiors firm. As a medium sized firm, they provide project and design leadership with experienced principal architects who are engaged and attentive to the needs of every project no matter the size. Through commercial, cultural and educational projects, as well as multi-family and single-family residences, our contribution to the built environment aims to capture the unique quality of each project.

We sit down with Dr Kelly Simms, ND, CNS, and breakdown her specialization in women's health and fertility. Dr. Simms and her staff provide Chicago-area patients with comprehensive naturopathic care, personalized service and an individualized plan focused on both underlying causes and end results. Dr. Simms views her role as that of a teacher, one who empowers and guides patients at every step of their journey. In addition to holding a doctorate in Naturopathic medicine, Dr. Simms is a Certified Nutrition Specialist® professional. A Certified Nutrition Specialist® (CNS) is a nutrition practitioner or a person who uses nutrition therapy to address health needs.

We get into the nitty gritty of artists and the art scene with Fidel Rodriguez, owner of Artspace 8. The gallery, located heart of Chicago's Magnificent Mile, focuses on contemporary fine art paintings, prints and sculptures by emerging and established artists from around the world as well as a destination for those looking for something to hang on the wall of a Gold Coast penthouse. 

We sit down with Christopher Zwirn as he explains the process and beginnings of his custom signs, banners and vehicle wraps business while navigating the pitfalls of a small independent business. We also take a tour of the shop for an in-depth look at the details of the work while Chris discusses growing up in Logan Square. Thank you for watching My Chicago.

We sit down with Bucktown Built founder Jerry Rodman and discuss his passion for woodwork and the ups and downs of running a small business. Jerry launched Bucktown Built named for the Chicago neighborhood where he lives with his wife and two dogs while located in the Workshop 4200 creator space full of fellow local artisans.

Walk with us through a facility tour of and Bucktown Built provided by Jerry Rodman. Jerry Rodman launched Bucktown Built named for the Chicago neighborhood where he lives with his wife and two dogs, to establish a dedicated workshop in a building full of fellow local artisans, build relationships with trustworthy exotic hardwood suppliers from the US Pacific Northwest to Costa Rica and work with top interior designers and local businesses in the Midwest.

We chat with Konrad Koczwara, CEO of Elevated Living, and his all-in-one "Branded Resident App" that combines traditional operations with hotel style on-demand personal services and experiences at luxury apartment buildings while also discussing his upbringings as an entrepreneur.

We sit down with delicious drinks and chat with Cafe Deko owner George, an entrepreneur who decided to follow his dream and open a coffee shop that represents the true essence of what it’s like to taste a quality coffee and tea in a space which focuses the customer’s sensory experience with good company.

We sit down with Owner Art Potash of Potash Markets, local grocery stores that have been serving downtown Chicago since 1950 that is a family-owned local alternative to other major chains serving every day and specialty items in a smaller, easy in-and-out format.

We talk shop with friend and Chicago native Lauren Magiera, WGN News first female sports anchor and reporter. A former college athlete herself, Lauren graduated from University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Public Communications and is a graduate of Barrington High School in the Northwest suburbs.

We explore the unique brands and clothing materials at this European clothing and gift store with Patrick Ford. Ford General brings high end clothing & wares from Europe and America to the Old Town neighborhood. They love meeting new folks and bring a warm and comforting atmosphere to their shop. Follow them @ford_general on Instagram!

We take a deep dive into family law with friend and attorney Jonathan N. Schatz and discuss what family law is and when you would need a family lawyer. Jonathan specializes in all areas of family law including but not limited to divorce, the valuation and disposition of marital and nonmarital property, maintenance, child support, parentage, custody, visitation and post-decree litigation.

We chat with Otoniel Michel of Estrella Negra and his approach to operating a restaurant from the ground up and getting into the food industry here in Chicago. Estrella Negra offers Mexican cuisine with updated flair located on West Fullerton Avenue in the Bucktown neighborhood of Chicago. Their walls and tables are decorated with Day of the Dead artwork for visual appeal and offer a variety of flavorful dishes, including empanadas, tacos, tamales and burritos such as sweet potato fries topped with agave nectar and cinnamon before feasting on mango salsa enchiladas.

We chat with friend and President of Rick Levin & Associates, Inc (RLA) Rick Levin. Mr. Levin has been in the auction business since 1990, and worked in all phases of the auction business, ranging from a variety of real estate and personal property auctions, including vacant land; commercial office buildings; luxury single family homes; developer close-outs of homesites, townhomes, condominiums and single family homes, vacation properties; processing plants; and shopping centers to personal property auctions for antiques, aircraft, boats, memorabilia, numerous varieties of vehicles and heavy construction equipment. Mr. Levin graduated in 1986 from the School of Business of the University of Illinois-Champaign/Urbana with a business degree in marketing. The auction most notable is the sale of the Chicago United States Post office over I-290.

We chat with friend and fellow real estate agent Kevin Rocio, a seasoned award winning veteran in the Chicago Real Estate Industry. With his ROC Advisory Group, he brings a vast array of experiences in all areas of real estate including Commercial, Residential, Financing and Development.

We discuss home birthing with Sarah Simmons of New Life Midwifery Services, a primary midwife since 1995. She has attended 1200 home births since 1990, drawing passion about letting births unfold in an instinctual way, and being a “lifeguard” to keep it safe. She believes a positive birth experience helps women prepare for motherhood and strengthens family bonds. She partners with families to provide evidence-based, respectful care, and is a low volume practice with one provider and one assistant, for maximum continuity and personalized care.

We chat with Frankie Fabre of Fabre Media (https://www.fabremedia.com/) as he explains the nuances of building brands and retaining interest within the world of advertising as well as starting a business from scratch with little to no support.

We soak in the 90s nostalgia with chef Ryan Pfeiffer as he dishes out the highs and lows of opening this very characteristic Logan Square bar and sandwich shop during trying times. Big Kids (https://www.bigkidschicago.com/) is open every day of the week minus Tuesday, and offers dine in or to go services via Upserve.

Cocoa + Co. Chocolate Cafe is the 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, a veteran of the wine industry, opened the café in 2015 In collaboration with nationally acclaimed Pastry Chef, Meg Galus, as a gathering place where chocolate lovers could fuel their passion through exploration, tasting and interaction in the same way wine lovers do at neighborhood merchants and cafes.

Neal Neumann, the general manager at mfk. restaurant, sits down with us and discusses in-depth the ins and outs of running a local restaurant in a volatile dining out market. mfk. is an intimate, seaside-focused joint that leans toward simple preparations of high-quality ingredients, in the style of Spain's Catalan & Basque coastal regions. It's open from 5:00pm - 9:30pm Thursday through Sunday.

Dave from Maestro Restoration demonstrates how he changes a gross bathroom into a beautiful one as he restores the stone in my own from start to finish. Dave has 10+ years of restoring & cleaning natural stone, tile, grout and more. DM @maestro_restoration on Instagram or email inquiries to: [email protected]. Free estimates & demos!

We sit down with Neal Bader, Executive Director at the Menomonee Club since 1987. The not-for profit Menomonee Club for Boys and Girls is dedicated to providing children, adults and families from diverse backgrounds with quality recreation and enrichment activities in an inclusive community that foster personal growth and skill development

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, rotating drafts on their tap wall, and all of their beers are available to-go in 16oz 4pks.

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 leader.

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, construction, and real estate development. He was an Adjunct Professor in the College of Architecture, Illinois Institute of Technology. In 2008, Roszak received an award from the American Institute of Architects for a house he built for his family.

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 help clients build from the ground up or renovate an existing structure.

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 interiors for luxury residences, specialty restaurant and retail, private aircraft, and yachts. As principal of Anthony Michael Interior Design, he takes pride in providing clients with ingenious use of color and texture, space planning, and white-glove attention to detail. As a result, clients can expect consistently superb full-service interior design, along with the unexpected excitement that is Anthony Michael’s trademark interior ingenuity.

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 dressing the most discerning clients coupled with his love of fashion history inspired him to open his vintage menswear boutique, Richard's Fabulous Finds, in Chicago's Humboldt Park in April, 2014. Richard caters to men with an eye for style and quality who appreciate the silhouettes, construction, and refinements of a bygone era. He helps bring those elements into the 21st century by keeping them fresh and relevant. Richard is known for his uncanny ability to pull together the perfect look for each unique client. He also dresses models and actors for various projects in the Chicago area and is often called upon to consult on the historical accuracy of costumes.

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, IL 60614, USA Wicker Park: 1533 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA Chicago Realtor John Grafft's office is right next door at Compass and he regularly enjoys these to boost his immune system and as a meal replacement when he's on the go. If you're looking for juicing 101, beginners guide to juicing, or a cold press juicer, stop wondering if cold press juicer vs masticating juicer is better and stop into Pure Green and try one instead.

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 making pizza and how it's taken years to perfect their recipes. Enjoy!

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 what you're craving!

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 architect for more than 30 years and has received multiple residential and commercial awards. He has been featured on Homes Across America, HGTV. MCWBA is located at 1150 N State Street Suite 311 Chicago, Illinois 60610 and can be reached at 312.255.8292

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 can savor the true flavors of our meats and homemade marinades. Come into Cafecito and be part of the passion for coffee, food, conversation and life.

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 began in 1993 as a represented artist. In addition to exhibiting his own art nationally, he worked as curator, assistant director, and director of various galleries in Chicago. In 1996, Dan became the Director of Gwenda Jay Gallery, and the gallery moved to it's present location on Wells St. In 1999 Addington became co-owner of the gallery, and in 2007, he became sole owner and it's name officially changed to Addington Gallery. Dan exhibits his work around the country in numerous one person and group exhibitions, teaches workshops, juries competitions, and frequently speaks to groups and classes about his experiences as both artist and gallery owner.

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. Through their solar installation services, individual households and businesses can secure a better future for themselves and the planet. With a solar panel installation, you will reap the benefits of reducing carbon emissions, reduce utility and operational expenses, add value to the property, and gain energy independence.

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.