A brand new community hub and business space called Xquina Incubator & Cafe is making its way to Little Village, located 3523- 3525 W. 26th St.
The long-anticipated project was introduced in 2018, but construction was delayed several times throughout and because of the pandemic. Now, the rehabbed two- and three-story buildings will begin construction in Summer 2022, with a grand opening anticipated for sometime next year. The first floor will feature a cafe run by La Catedral Cafe owner Ambrocio Gonzalez, while a co-working space will be on the second floor and a local art gallery/ event space will be on the third floor.
While Gonzalez will be the operator of the ground-floor cafe, the entire development will be solely owned by The Little Village Community Foundation. Xquina was initially supposed to be a joint effort with the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, but a settlement made the foundation the lone owner. Despite the change in plans, officials were able to acquire $4.8 million for this project, with a mix of city, state, and private money. Kim Close, interim executive director, and chief operating officer of the Little Village Community Foundation, expected to open this development last summer, following an initial completion date of 2019.
“We’re just so thrilled that this is moving forward,” Close tells Block Club Chicago. “At the end of the day, it’s about creating the most impactful community of Little Village, that’s the end goal. It’s a place-based entrepreneurial ecosystem that will live on 26th Street. It’s important that it has a home on this extremely important corridor.”
