UPDATE (5/20/25): Through a massive showing of community support, we raised $2,657.40 during the event on May 15th. A very special thank you to the following local businesses and organizations who donated raffle items and bingo prizes: Chicago Hot Yoga, Bon Femmes, Gio’s Bar & Grill, MOLASSES, Restore Pilates, Ponnopozz, Commissioner Degnen, Q Sushi Bar, Carol’s Pub, 4Legs Pet, Chilee Oil, Ballroom Dance Chicago, studio b, Jenny G’s Art Supply, Xochimilco, Eileen Lysaught of Laner Muchin, Blackbird Framing, Traffic Jam Swing, Anne Leuck Studio, Indigo & Violet, Saint Errant Brewing, Del Sur Bakery, and Revolution Brewery.
On Friday, April 4th, two beloved small businesses on Damen Avenue were devastated by a fire. Crystal Cleaners and Mint Home were both destroyed, though thankfully no one was physically harmed. Firefighters fought the blaze for nearly an hour before successfully extinguishing it. Mint Home lost all its inventory and many neighbors lost clothing at Crystal Cleaners.
Crystal Cleaners has been a reliable neighborhood fixture for over 30 years, providing excellent service to generations of Ravenswood neighbors. Mint Home opened on Damen back in 2017, helping to revitalize and sleepy section of that retail corridor. The fire has left both businesses in a vulnerable position- struggling to pick up the pieces and find a way to reopen in Ravenswood.
To aid these local favorites, Gio’s Bar & Grill and the Greater Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to host a Community Fundraising Night on Thursday, May 15 (4857 N Damen Ave, 6-9pm). The evening will include bingo, prizes from Ravenswood small businesses, a silent auction, and plenty of community spirit. We are donating all proceeds from this event to Crystal Cleaners and Mint Home. To further support the effort, Gio’s is generously donating 20% of their net sales from the day to help the affected businesses rebuild!
If your business interested in donating a bingo prize or silent auction item, please contact christina@ravenswoodchicago.org.
Event Details
Community Fundraising Night
Post-Fire Fundraiser for Crystal Cleaners & Mint Home
Thursday, May 15 at Gio’s Bar & Grill
4857 N Damen Ave, 6-9 PM
Doors at 6pm / Bingo at 7pm
Free Admission, $5 per bingo card / $3 dabber rental
RSVP on Facebook
You can donate directly to support relief for Crystal Cleaners and Mint Home via their GoFundMe pages:
Read more about the fire in these local media outlets:
- CBS News Chicago: Crystal Cleaners in Chicago’s Ravenswood Neighborhood Destroyed by Fire
- Block Club Chicago: Ravenswood’s Mint Home Furniture, Neighboring Dry Cleaners Devastated By Fire
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