01/27/2026
Kill them with kindness 💀🤪 This meme popped up on Reddit last week after Doms/Foxtrot closed its doors. We thought we would have some fun with it because we all desperately need a little humor after losing our favorite corner store. As founders it also made us reflect on what it means to be a neighborhood business here in Chicago. I can remember two distinct moments that I think do a really good job portraying the feeling. The first was right after our first-ever opening party in 2013. At the time there was this this bar/restaurant called The Scout right across our South Loop location and we catered our food from them for the party. I paid with a check and the next day Chris, the owner of the restaurant, walked in and tore up the check right in front of me. I was freaking out in that moment but he then said “Welcome to the neighborhood.” The second was right after the riots after George Floyd. I remember walking down Milwaukee in Wicker Park to go check on our location. Almost every storefront was destroyed but inside every single store were the residents of the neighborhood, brooms in hand cleaning every shard of glass. Ultimately, what I’ve realized about owning a business here in Chicago, or frankly anywhere, is that it’s not about me or the leaders of an organization. It’s about creating something that serves the community. It’s about creating value for your neighbors. And it’s about creating a safe space for the employees who work tirelessly with little appreciation. Our commitment to our team and our neighborhoods is that we will continue to do everything we can to help push our communities forward.
