We are a nomadic, temporary free store that irregularly visits a variety of Chicagoland neighborhoods.
Our version of the Free Store came about from casual conversations about the Diggers, about giveaways, about what’s good and bad about the ideas of charity and the gift economy. We also found ourselves with a perfect combination of personal skill sets – we all had experience with giving things away, doing public events, getting the word out, and building interesting things out of seemingly nothing.
Past Locations
2011
September: Pilsen (near Damen and 17th, in a gallery space and on the sidewalk)
Pilsen
Photo: Dubi Kaufmann
2010
Near West Side (at Peoria and Van Buren, in a gallery)
West Loop
2009
May: Pilsen (near Cermak & Halsted, in a gallery space)
Pilsen
2008
May: Pullman (near 111th & Forrestville, on the grounds of a State Historical Site)
Pullman
2007
August: New City (51st & Racine, in an empty parking lot)
New City
July: Kinzie Industrial Corridor (near Fulton & Damen, in a yard space)
Kinzie Industrial Corridor
May: Humboldt Park (near Western & Potomac, in an apartment
February: Bucktown (near North & Ashland, in a gallery)
Bucktown
2006
November: Rogers Park (near Morse & Glenwood, in an experimental cultural center)