L1 Retail Store Celebrates Grand Reopening with New South Side Designer Showcase

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Washington Park · February 9, 2026

Washington Park's L1 Retail Store kicked off February with a celebration of local talent following its grand reopening in March 2025. The revitalized retail space welcomed Entrepreneur-in-Residence Peter Gaona, who will showcase his unique Reformed School designs alongside curated selections from other South Side brands through June 2026.

Reformed School specializes in handmade wearable art that blends fashion, education, and social awareness. Established in 2013, the brand creates distinctive accessories celebrating Black history and culture, expanding to its first physical location in 2021 as part of the University of Chicago's Arts + Public Life initiative supporting local entrepreneurs. The 700-square-foot storefront provides creative entrepreneurs a unique opportunity to learn, launch, and build networks in a structured, supportive environment, working to eliminate traditional barriers to business ownership while diversifying small business options available for Washington Park and residents throughout Chicago's South Side.

Community members are invited to visit the L1 Retail Store at 319 E. Garfield Boulevard to discover the beautiful curation and connect through a series of activations designed to make the store a go-to destination for creativity, collaboration, and community. Later this year, residents can look forward to the return of the popular Vends + Vibes Arts Marketplace on the nearby Arts Lawn, further celebrating South Side creative entrepreneurs.

Sources:
1. https://artsandpubliclife.org/entrepreneurship
2. https://arts.uchicago.edu/l1