BELMONT CRAGIN – Growing up in Belmont Cragin, Isabel Cambray doodled on printer paper and decorated her walls with stray cans of house paint.
Yet when the lifelong artist started running craft workshops and working in studios, she struggled to find artistic spaces close to home. Earlier this year, Cambray joined the Crecer Business incubator and opened her own studio in belmont Cragin.
“When I started working in studios, I always had to go to Lincoln Park, Downtown, Pilsen – the neighborhoods that were already deemed art districts,” said Cambray, a recent Northern Illinois University graduate. “my goal is to try to bring more art to Belmont Cragin.”
Cambray’s Cam Studios is one of three businesses enrolled in the Crecer Business Incubator’s 2025 cohort. Since May, Cam Studios, Clear Conscience Candles and Galería 88 Artesanías have shared a retail space at 5420 W. Belmont Ave., the business incubator’s newest home.
The burgeoning small businesses receive one-on-one advising, have access to workshops on entrepreneurship and can operate out of the incubator storefront while paying subsidized rent for up to one year. Once cohort members finish the incubator program,Crecer team members help connect them with vacant storefronts in the neighborhood,reaching out to local landlords and even attending leasing meetings with them.
The Northwest Side Community Growth Corporation launched the business incubator in 2021 to help Belmont Cragin’s business community recover after the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its inception, 15 businesses have participated in the program, said Jessica Vazquez, director of economic advancement for the Northwest Side Community Development Corporation.
“We want to really promote collaboration in Belmont Cragin and let business owners know they’re not alone,” VazquArtwork at the Crecer Business Incubator as seen on July 10, 2025. Credit: Molly DeVore/Block Club Chicago
Betancourt said the shared space has helped draw more foot traffic to her business. She has seen customers come in looking for a candle and leave with extra art, she said.
Before joining Crecer, Betancourt would sell at pop-up markets in neighborhoods like Pilsen where there was already a “bustling artistic community,” she said.
“We don’t lack that in Belmont cragin as we lack the artists or because we lack that desire to have community. We ju
revitalizing Neighborhood commerce: How a Chicago Incubator is Fostering Latino Entrepreneurship
Belmont Cragin, a vibrant Chicago neighborhood with a strong Latino heritage, has faced economic challenges in recent years, mirroring a national trend of small business closures. However, a dedicated business incubator program is working to reverse this decline, empowering local entrepreneurs and preserving the cultural fabric of the community. This initiative isn’t just about economics; it’s about safeguarding a sense of place and providing opportunities for residents to connect with their roots.
The Impact of store Closures on Latino Communities
Across the United States,Latino-owned businesses are a crucial engine of economic growth,representing a meaningful portion of new business creation. According to the Stanford Latino Entrepreneurship Initiative, Latino-owned businesses generated $561.3 billion in revenue in 2020, employing nearly 3.2 million people. Yet, these businesses often face unique hurdles, including limited access to capital and resources.
The closure of local shops in neighborhoods like Belmont Cragin isn’t simply a matter of lost commerce. These businesses often serve as cultural hubs, offering products and services that resonate deeply with the community. They are places where traditions are maintained, languages are spoken, and a sense of belonging is fostered. When these establishments disappear, a piece of the neighborhood’s identity is lost. A 2023 study by the brookings Institution found that commercial vacancies disproportionately impact minority communities, exacerbating existing economic disparities.
crecer Business Incubator: A Catalyst for Change
The Crecer Business incubator, meaning “to grow” in Spanish, is specifically designed to address these challenges. The program provides aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools and support they need to launch and sustain accomplished businesses. This includes mentorship, workshops on financial management and marketing, and assistance with navigating the complexities of permits and licensing.
One success story is Galería 88 Artesanías,owned by Yanelet Delgado. Delgado’s shop specializes in handcrafted artwork and goods that evoke a sense of nostalgia for older generations. “We carry things that remind our latino grandparents of home,” she explains.Items like customary pottery, hand-woven textiles, and specific candies or spices can transport customers back to their childhoods and connect them to their cultural heritage. This isn’t just retail; it’s a preservation of cultural memory. Delgado’s business, like manny others supported by Crecer, fills a niche that larger retailers often overlook.
Beyond Business: Building Community Connections
The incubator’s approach extends beyond simply teaching business fundamentals. it recognizes the importance of community connection and cultural relevance. The program actively encourages entrepreneurs to create businesses that cater to the specific needs and desires of the local population. For example, another participant launched a bakery specializing in traditional Puerto Rican pastries, filling a demand for authentic flavors that weren’t readily available in the area.
“Sometimes it just takes that one little spark, and maybe we’re that,” says a program representative, highlighting the incubator’s role in igniting entrepreneurial spirit. The program is currently seeking a fourth cohort member, offering a valuable prospect for aspiring business owners to receive the support they need to thrive. Interested individuals can find more data at https://www.bcbincubator.com/.
By investing in local entrepreneurs and fostering a vibrant commercial ecosystem, the Crecer Business Incubator is not only reversing the trend of shop closures in Belmont Cragin but also strengthening the community’s cultural identity and economic resilience.It serves as a model for other neighborhoods seeking to revitalize their commercial districts and empower their residents.