After the unpopularity and downsizing of the discount mall in Little Village, Supermall became the only shopping mall of its kind on the South Side. This huge business center is staffed almost entirely by immigrant merchants, from Mexicans to Koreans, renting 10-foot by 10-foot stalls. .
One exception is inside the Swap-O-Rama Flea Market, which requires an admission fee. On the other hand, you can freely browse and wander around the super mall.
When I was a student at Curie High School, there were no community centers or hangouts, so I would often walk alone or with friends across the four-lane street and huge parking lot at 52nd and Pulaski to go to the super mall. Ta.
Back in the pre-digital era, what first attracted me were the various discotecas (music stores) that promoted young talent in the house, hip-hop, and durangan music genres. If you’re lucky, you might even come across a music promoter who will give out free buy tickets.
But what keeps me coming back is the variety of products you can find in one place.
I literally buy gold rings for quinceañeras, buy herbs for home remedies, get graduation t-shirts airbrushed and embroidered, find soccer cleats, hire a DJ for a party, etc. I visited a shopping center to ask about prices. Buy airline tickets and try on imported sombreros. Needless to say, the tacos in the grocery store are to die for.
Places like this are needed to help independent entrepreneurs start and succeed, even if they have language barriers or limited understanding of how to run a business in Chicago.
Super Mall of the Midwest is managed by EPK Management and opened in 1996. At the time, the region did not yet have a large Latino population in the Southwest. We have seen its evolution into a vibrant and colorful market, hopefully over the next few decades.
Supermall, 5220 S. Plaski Rd. Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (773) 581-9200
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