CHICAGO – Controversy is brewing in Little Village as Starbucks prepares to open a new location in a plaza that once housed local small businesses.
While the coffee giant claims the store will boost the community through local hiring and partnerships, some residents say it’s not what the neighborhood needs and are determined to stop it.
Last year, small business owners’ efforts to save the Little Village Discount Mall hit a dead end. The mall had been a one-stop shopping destination for over 30 years, featuring 150 vendors under one roof.
A rendering showed the area being reimagined, but not everyone was sold on the vision after the mall was downsized and a big-box store took over some of the space. Now, a similar transformation is set to happen again.
“We have seen that money buys power here and we have people power, which is more stronger than money because the community doesn’t need this type …