Each year, the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce invites neighbors to share their love for the local businesses, artists, and community organizations that make our neighborhood such a vibrant and welcoming place to live, work, and play. From favorite restaurants and creative spaces to beloved nonprofits and local leaders, the Best of Ravenswood Awards shine a spotlight on those who make a lasting impact in our community.
The 2025 Best of Ravenswood Award Winners
This year’s winners represent the heart and soul of Ravenswood as a community full of creativity, connection, and care. Congratulations to our 2025 Best of Ravenswood Award recipients!
FAVORITE EMERGING BUSINESS:
TIME AND A HALF BOOKS
Nestled in the heart of Ravenswood, Time and a Half Books is a bright, independent bookstore that blends the warm, inclusive spirit of the neighborhood with a well-curated collection of literature. With strong emphasis on underrepresented voices, thoughtfully selected fiction and non-fiction, and welcoming community programming, it’s quickly become a gathering spot for readers, writers, and curious minds alike. It’s no surprise that this newcomer captured Ravenswood’s heart in record time.
Learn more at timeandahalfbooks.com.
FAVORITE PLACE TO TREAT YOURSELF:
BARRY SWEETS
Founded in 2020 by a passionate baker with a mission to turn craft-beer spent grains into sweet and savory treats, Barry Sweets is as imaginative as it is indulgent. Their inventive offerings from rich brownies and cookies to donut holes made with up-cycled brewery grains reflect a commitment to sustainability and community. Barry Sweets delivers flavor, ingenuity, and neighborhood charm perfectly wrapped in the spirit of Ravenswood.
Learn more at barrysweetschicago.com.
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET CREATIVE:
LILLSTREET ART CENTER
A cornerstone of creativity for over 50 years, Lillstreet Art Center continues to inspire artists of all ages and skill levels. Offering classes in pottery, painting, photography, and more, Lillstreet provides the space and support to explore new mediums and connect through art. Its enduring presence as a hub for imagination and community makes it a truly cherished part of Ravenswood life.
Learn more at lillstreet.com.
FAVORITE RESTAURANT:
SPACCA NAPOLI PIZZERIA
For over a decade, Spacca Napoli has made pizza faithful to the authentic Neapolitan style. Dough is tended daily as a blend of love and craft and baked in an oven built by third and fourth- generation artisans from Napoli. Ingredients are carefully sourced from trusted vendors, many of which are unavailable anywhere else in Chicago. Wines and music are selected to create just the right experience and mood.
Learn more at spaccanapolipizzeria.com.
FAVORITE BAR OR BREWERY:
BEGYLE BREWING
Located in the Ravenswood Industrial Corridor of Chicago also known as “Malt Row”, Begyle Brewing prides itself on offering a diverse and approachable selection of quality beer that brings people together. Through its Community Supported Brewery program and vibrant taproom, Begyle has cultivated a dedicated community of beer enthusiasts. Their annual festivals benefit The Friendship Center, providing meals to neighbors experiencing food insecurity, further establishing Begyle as both a Ravenswood cornerstone and a destination for visitors.
Learn more at begylebrewing.com.
FAVORITE GIFT SHOP:
HAZEL
Since its start as a greeting‑card and paper shop, Hazel has grown into a thoughtfully curated destination offering jewelry, accessories, baby gifts, housewares, and a well‑edited selection of men’s and women’s wardrobe pieces and accessories for every budget. Featuring goods from local independent designers and unique finds from around the world, Hazel is deeply rooted in its community, regularly supporting local charitable organizations and hosting donation drives. It remains a welcoming spot to find the perfect gift or to treat yourself!
Learn more at hazelchicago.com.
FAVORITE LOCAL ARTIST OR MAKER:
PONNOPOZZ
With a background in graphic design, Adrianne has embraced the freedom of creating art by hand, exploring new styles and mediums since moving her studio to her new space on Montrose Avenue. Named after two imaginary childhood friends, Ponno and Pozzer, Ponnopozz reflects the unbridled creativity of youth—a spirit Adrianne continues to nurture through her painting and drawing. Her work is a vibrant expression of personal vision, blending playful imagination with artistic growth.
Learn more at ponnopozz.com.
FAVORITE NON-PROFIT:
TRAFFIC JAM! SWING
Founded in 2016 with an idea over brunch, Traffic Jam! Swing is a Chicago nonprofit dedicated to supporting the city’s Swing Dance and Lindy Hop community. Their mission is to celebrate the education, history, and culture of swing dance through regularly scheduled dances, leveled classes, and weekend intensive workshops. Now based in their beautiful new studio on Ravenswood Avenue, Traffic Jam! Swing provides a vibrant space for dancers of all levels to connect, learn, and enjoy the energy of Chicago’s swing scene.
Learn more at trafficjamswing.com.
FAVORITE BUSINESS FOR KIDS:
MIND CHICAGO
Mind Chicago is a community of clinicians guided by common goals and values to help children and families make meaningful change that is important to them by using treatment that works. They move towards this goal by bringing together highly skilled, responsive, and affirming professionals who are passionate about evidence-based care to provide data-driven assessment, evidence-based therapy, and educational workshops for children, teens, young adults, and parents.
Learn more at mindchicago.com.
FAVORITE DATE NIGHT OUT:
ROJO GUSANO
At Rojo Gusano, mezcal culture meets neighborhood warmth for an unforgettable date night. Inspired by Mexico’s rich distilling traditions, their menu features small-batch mezcals, globally inspired cocktails, and vibrant tacos that invite sharing and discovery. With its lively yet intimate atmosphere, Rojo Gusano perfectly blends bold flavors, great drinks, and genuine hospitality—making it Ravenswood’s go-to spot for a night out to remember.
Learn more at rojogusano.com.
FAVORITE PLACE TO GET MOVING:
FEAST FITNESS + NUTRITION
For those looking to challenge themselves and have fun doing it, Feast Fitness + Nutrition delivers. This locally owned gym combines expert coaching with an inclusive, energetic environment that welcomes athletes of all levels. Their focus on community, not just competition, keeps Ravenswood residents coming back stronger every time. With newly renovated indoor and outdoor spaces, state‑of‑the‑art equipment, nutrition programming, personal training, and an on‑site physical therapy partnership, Feast offers a complete, sustainable approach to fitness for life.
Learn more at feast-fitness.com.
FAVORITE HIDDEN GEM:
BAD LUCK CLUB
Tucked away in Ravenswood, Bad Luck Club is a quirky and beloved gift shop that’s full of personality. With an eclectic mix of handmade goods, vintage-inspired décor, oddities, and thoughtful treasures, it’s a place where you can wander in looking for one thing and walk out with something completely unexpected and wonderfully unique. Whether you’re shopping for a one-of-a-kind gift or treating yourself, Bad Luck Club brings charm, surprise, and neighborhood spirit in equal measure.
Learn more at badluckclub.com.
FAVORITE BUSINESS ON A BUDGET:
BUDACKI’S DRIVE-IN
For classic Chicago comfort food that doesn’t break the bank, Budacki’s is unbeatable. This longtime neighborhood staple serves up hot dogs, burgers, and fries with a side of nostalgia and friendly service. Beloved by generations of locals, Budacki’s proves that great flavor and great value go hand in hand in Ravenswood.
Learn more at budackis-drive-in.com.
FAVORITE PIECE OF PUBLIC ART:
BLIND LOVE
Tucked into the heart of the neighborhood at Ravenswood & Berteau, Blind Love by Chicago-based artist John Airo is a striking, roughly 11-foot-tall sculpture of a three-armed figure covering its eyes with one hand while forming a heart with the others. Installed in 2021 as part of the emerging Ravenswood Sculpture Garden, the piece reflects the unique love Chicagoans hold for their city—its challenges, its warmth, and its unbreakable sense of community. Brightly painted and entirely handmade, Blind Love has become an instant landmark—inviting residents and visitors alike to pause, smile, and feel connected to Ravenswood’s creative spirit.
Learn more at johnairo.com.
FAVORITE COMMUNITY EVENT:
RAVENSWOOD ARTWALK
The Ravenswood ArtWalk: Tour of Arts and Industry is a vibrant, weekend-long celebration of Chicago’s creative community. Spanning Ravenswood Avenue from Lawrence to Irving Park, the ArtWalk features open studios and galleries, pop-up performances, and immersive activations. Visitors can explore an outdoor arts market with 80+ local makers, enjoy two stages of live music, relax in the pop-up beer garden, and take part in kids’ activities, food trucks, and more. It’s a dynamic showcase of art, culture, and community in the heart of Ravenswood.
Learn more at ravenswoodchicago.org.
The 2025 Raven Award Recipients
The GRCC is proud to announce the three distinguished recipients of the 2025 Raven Award, honored as part of the Best of Ravenswood Awards. These individuals were hand-selected by Chamber Executive Staff for their outstanding contributions to the community, demonstrating a commitment to excellence, innovation, and local impact. Each recipient has played a vital role in shaping the vibrant culture and spirit of Ravenswood, making this recognition a celebration of their remarkable achievements and dedication.
COMMUNITY LEADER AWARD:
The Community Leadership Award gives us a chance to recognize an individual or organization for their efforts to improve life for everyone who lives and works in Ravenswood.
ERIC & KATIE WARREN
This year’s recipients are Eric and Katie Warren, co-owners of Gio’s Bar & Grill. Since purchasing the beloved neighborhood spot last year, the Warrens have used their restaurant as a hub for generosity and community support. They have hosted fundraisers for local businesses affected by disaster, including Crystal Cleaners and Mint Home after a devastating fire, organized campaigns for the Amundsen Athletics Association, and supported Ravenswood Community Services through food drive donations. Gio’s has also financially sponsored the Ravenswood Community Farmers Market and donates a portion of monthly proceeds to different local non-profits.
Through their leadership, Eric and Katie have turned Gio’s into more than a gathering spot—it’s a cornerstone of community care and civic pride, exemplifying what it means to give back to Ravenswood.
ARTS ADVOCACY AWARD:
The Arts Advocacy Award recognizes a community member or organization that has demonstrated outstanding support for the arts in Ravenswood.
SETH BOUSTEAD
This year’s honoree is Seth Boustead, Executive Director of Access Contemporary Music. ACM is a Ravenswood-based nonprofit dedicated to bringing musical creativity to life every day through its storefront music school on Wilson Avenue and signature events such as the Thirsty Ears Music Festival and the Sound of Silent Film Festival at The Music Box. Demonstrating vision and determination, Seth transformed a long-vacant 7-11 at Clark and Southport into The CheckOut, a new live music venue, taking on roles ranging from grant writer to construction site manager to event coordinator to make it a reality.
Through his tireless work, Seth has created vibrant cultural experiences that enrich Ravenswood’s arts scene and foster community connection. His dedication and innovation make him a truly deserving recipient of this year’s Arts Advocacy Award.
GREENING & SUSTAINABILITY AWARD:
The Greening & Sustainability Award recognizes outstanding efforts in greening and beautifying Ravenswood.
AMY WILLIAMSON
This year’s award goes to Amy Williamson, Winnemac Park Steward and Natural Areas Chair for the Winnemac Park Advisory Council. As a dedicated volunteer, Amy has played a vital role in protecting and nurturing the park’s 25-year-old prairie plantings — a defining natural space in our community and a sanctuary for people and wildlife alike. She leads efforts to recruit, organize, and guide fellow neighbors in maintaining and restoring the park’s ecosystem through native plantings, invasive species removal, trail upkeep, community events, and seed collection for other natural areas in need.
Ravenswood’s treasured green spaces thrive thanks to neighbors like Amy Williamson, whose leadership and care ensure that Winnemac Park remains a living example of sustainability, collaboration, and community pride.
