Southside Blooms to Open West Englewood's Second Location Following CNN Hero Award
By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/West Englewood ·
West Englewood residents will soon have a new flower shop as Southside Blooms announces plans to expand following founder Quilen Blackwell's recent CNN Hero of the Year award. The social enterprise, which transforms vacant lots into flower farms while employing neighborhood youth, will use its
The Englewood shop currently hires and trains young people from the South Side as part of the owner's mission to ultimately save lives by offering economic opportunity. During the growing season, the flowers are grown at their local farms on what had been vacant lots. Blackwell told reporters that business is booming, and he needs to grow more flowers to meet demand expected in 2026. He plans to purchase more vacant lots from the Cook County Land Bank to expand flower operations throughout West Englewood.
"That's always been Hannah and mine's core passion, has always been, is to not only create jobs for youth here in Englewood, but all across the country and establish florists as an anchor industry in every hood," Blackwell said. The expansion will allow Southside Blooms to convert more vacant properties into productive spaces while providing additional employment opportunities for neighborhood residents. Community members interested in supporting this local initiative can visit Southside Blooms at their current location at 6250 S. Morgan Street or follow their social media for updates on the new West Englewood location opening.
Sources:
1. https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/12/08/quilen-blackwell-cnn-hero-eco-house-southside-blooms
2. https://abc7chicago.com/post/southside-blooms-chicago-englewood-is-expanding-north-lawndale-owner-quilen-blackwell-won-cnn-hero-year-2025/18269070/
3. https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/23/partnership-behind-southside-blooms-and-cnn-hero-year-award