Kimbark Beverage Shoppe Employee Fund

On Sunday May 31st, Kimbark Beverage Shoppe was burglarized and ransacked as a part of the civil unrest in Chicago.   Information provided by Chicago Police and social media motivated us to close and completely board up our business to prevent further looting.  The business remains closed currently. 

Kimbark Beverage Shoppe was founded in 1963 and purchased by John Sr and Tequilla Swain in 1974 making them one of the first black business owners in Chicago's Hyde Park Community.  The business has remained in the Swain family since that time being owned separately by his daughter Gail and youngest son Jonathan.  

While we work to reopen which may take up to two weeks, we want to make sure our 16 staff members continue to receive their salaries.  We estimate the total cost of wages from May 31st until our expected open date is $35,000.  The business will cover $10,000. We are asking for donations for the rest.

All dollars raised will be used solely for employee wages during the weeks we are unable to generate revenue.


We appreciate the many years of support for our family and our businesses and we look forward to serving you again soon.