Retail
Chicago Neighborhood Initiatives supports the growth of vibrant neighborhood commercial districts by bringing high-quality retail development to Chicago’s South and West Sides. Through strategic land assembly, community-driven planning, and partnerships with mission-aligned retailers, CNI delivers projects that expand access to essential goods and services, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. Whether revitalizing long-vacant corridors or developing anchor retail centers from the ground up, CNI works to meet residents’ needs close to home and help stabilize and activate commercial corridors for long-term economic vitality.
Pullman Gateway
Pullman Gateway is an 8-acre commercial center transforming a long-vacant site in the heart of Pullman into a vibrant retail destination. Opened in 2025 and anchored by the first Chick-fil-A on Chicago’s South Side, the development is converting an unused parking lot and former off-track betting facility into new neighborhood amenities and jobs. The 5,200-square-foot Chick-fil-A is now joined by newly opened Jimmy John’s and Dunkin’ locations, with Chipotle and additional retail and dining options on the way.
111th Street Retail
111th Street Retail brought new life to a once-underutilized corridor in Pullman by introducing a mix of food, health, and community-focused services. The development opened in 2018 with Potbelly as its first tenant, followed by Lexington Betty Smokehouse, Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Blue Door Neighborhood Center, and Wingstop. Together, these businesses have expanded dining options, improved access to health resources, and strengthened the vitality of the 111th Street corridor.
Pullman Park
Completed in 2013, Pullman Park delivered much-needed retail services and community amenities to Pullman, Roseland, and the Greater Calumet Region. The development brought essential shopping and everyday conveniences to a long-underserved area, including a Walmart with a full-service grocery store, Ross Dress for Less, and Planet Fitness. These retailers are complemented by the Advocate Health Care facility and the Pullman Community Center, creating a vibrant destination that supports local families, attracts consistent foot traffic, and anchors the continued revitalization of the Pullman commercial corridor.
Culver’s
Opened in 2021, Culver’s became the first sit-down restaurant in Pullman in more than 30 years, marking a major milestone in the neighborhood’s retail resurgence. Supported by New Markets Tax Credit financing, the 4,300-square-foot restaurant features seating for 124 guests, two drive-thru lanes, and an outdoor patio, and created 70 jobs for local residents. Located at 111th and Doty Avenue, Culver’s sits at the gateway to the Pullman National Monument, which attracts more than 300,000 visitors annually, positioning the restaurant as both a community anchor and a convenient dining option for visitors.
University of Chicago Medicine’s Trauma Center
For nearly 30 years, people from Chicago’s South Side had to be transported across the city to receive medical attention for traumatic injuries. Today, thanks to the University of Chicago Medicine’s trauma center in Hyde Park, life-saving access to high-quality care is much closer for one of the nation’s largest under-served populations.