CHICAGO (WLS) — Residents on Chicago’s South Side may have to say goodbye to a business that has been serving the community for years.
Mama Africa’s Marketplace, a small Black-owned cultural shop and community space on South Shore’s 71st Street, is facing a move out deadline set for next Friday.
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Chicago’s South Shore neighborhood could be losing a community staple as Mama Africa’s Marketplace may be forced to close.
“My fear is going into storage and never coming out,” Mama Africa’s Marketplace owner Ifarinu said.
For Ifarinu, also known as Mama Africa, the thought of closing her store and community space is almost unbearable.
“I was overwhelmed by the support from the community,” Ifarinu said.
After nearly five-years in business at the corner of 71st Street and Clyde Avenue, it looks like the South Shore neighborhood staple is going to have to close its doors for good, if the shop can’t find a suitable place to go.
“I’ve just poured a lot into the space, this community, and I believe God brought me here to do the work,” Ifarinu said.
The longtime owner of the two-story commercial building, where the Afro-centric store is located, is selling the property this month to a local not-for-profit veterans group who’ll use the site for its headquarters for its own neighborhood programming and outreach in the South Shore community.
The 43-year old business owner and mother of four says the current owner notified her that she would have to vacate the space after her lease ended December 31, 2025.
Mama Africa is currently the only tenant in the building and paid $1,100 a month for a storefront and event space.
The store owner got permission to stay another few days until the sale with the prospective buyer is completed.
“I say that Africa’s Marketplace was built for the community by the community, because I didn’t have this in mind when I came here,” Ifarinu said.
Mama Africa says she tried to raise money to counter the $550,000 cash offer to buy the building herself, but fell short.
“I’m not sure what the future of Mama Africa’s Marketplace is once I leave from here,” Ifarinu said.
Mama Africa isn’t just disappointed for herself, but for the people in the community she says she’s been able to help. She says while her activism provided meals for the food insecure and a safe space for the neighborhood, her business has employed dozens of teens, worked with 50 plus vendors and supported over 300 different organizations and events.
Some consider Mama Africa the heart of the community.
“I do believe that what God has for me he has for me and can’t nobody take it or change it,” Ifarinu said.
Efforts to help Mama Africa’s Marketplace relocate to another location in South Shore have been unsuccessful so far.
Mama Africa’s Marketplace will be closed permanently January 23.
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