McKinley Park Businesses Stack Up Awards & New Allies: Karis Cold Wins Big & a New Chamber of Commerce Is Open for Business

By Socialhood News · Il/Chicago/Mckinley Park · July 5, 2026

McKinley Park's business community is riding a serious wave of momentum this week, with a major commercial real estate award and a brand-new chamber of commerce putting the Southwest Side's economic muscle on full display.

First, the neighborhood's Karis Cold storage warehouse has been named the best industrial project on the Southwest Side of Chicago by REJournals at its annual commercial real estate awards — with the facility's uniqueness cited as a key factor in the win. It's a marquee honor for a cutting-edge cold storage facility that has become a defining piece of McKinley Park's industrial landscape and a signal to the broader Chicago real estate community that the Southwest Side is a serious player.

Meanwhile, the newly formed Southwest Chamber of Commerce held its inaugural breakfast event, drawing more than a dozen local business owners and managers for networking and a formal introduction to the organization. The launch marks a milestone for the corridor — giving McKinley Park entrepreneurs a unified, organized voice and a fresh table for collaboration. Whether you're a small business owner, a longtime shopper on 35th Street, or simply a neighbor who roots for local, these are your wins too. Keep tabs on every development at mckinleypark.news.

Sources:
1. https://mckinleypark.news/
2. https://mckinleypark.news/news