Edgewater's Bryn Mawr Fund: Help Keep Chicago's Bryn Mawr Gay-Owned Businesses Alive

Hi there, and thank you for taking the time to read this!

My name is Morgan Martinez, and I'm creating this GoFundMe on behalf of my business Solar Intentions (a non-alcoholic bottle shop & hangout) and Rafael Rivera, the owner of Transistor Chicago (an artisan gift shop & art gallery) located on the historic Bryn Mawr business district in the beautiful Edgewater neighborhood of Chicago.

We are neighbors, friends, business owners, and just a small part of the vibrant revitalization of Bryn Mawr - a home to many, and a community-first environment.

One of the promises of Edgewater that encouraged us to choose this neighborhood to call our home is just how often and continuous the support is from fellow small business owners and our neighbors. From the beginning, we received words of encouragement and excitement that Bryn Mawr was getting the growth it deserved, and we saw it happen in real time. We joined other LGBTQ+ owned businesses on this strip, and have seen the potential of Bryn Mawr strengthen with each passing month.

In the Summer of 2025, we witnessed the new Red Line stations open at the end of July (Bryn Mawr, Berwyn, Argyle, and Lawrence!) which promised full ADA-accessibility and sustainable, economic growth for Northside neighborhoods: a 4-year-long project and its conclusion that communities longed for.

It was, and still is, a time of inspiration and dreams for many who wish to create a world where anything is possible. But with this time, comes the terrifying reality for small businesses in Chicago (and to be frank: everywhere) that the act of shopping small is becoming an act that is far and in-between. Prices are skyrocketing for groceries and basic necessities, there is no rent stabilization, and import fees (tariffs) have forced small business owners to stretch themselves thin and increase price points on products -- yet big-box stores continue to prioritize profit over people, creating a vicious cycle for the everyday person.

Our neighbors should not have to choose between shopping on Amazon vs shopping small, but as the dread of this current administration creates an overwhelming and depressing footprint on small business owners and YOU, our resources are thin.

Rafael and I are small business owners who still work full-time jobs. The weight of "How are we going to make rent this month and pay the bills?" and "How can I balance full-time work and still connect with our direct neighbors to ensure a healthy business?" is unbelievably heavy as we slowly move out of Winter in Chicago, one that was particularly difficult for small businesses, and I know we aren't the only ones feeling it. We are spread so thin, and are entering a danger zone that may result in unfortunate circumstances.

With the current economic climate and unresponsive communication from our landlords, we are creating this recovery fund to help us pay our individual immediate and future business expenses as we enter Spring (outstanding invoices, taxes, rent) with hopes to expand it to an ongoing fund for small businesses located on Bryn Mawr to invest in quarterly marketing, year-round vendor fees for markets and festivals to connect with more of our neighbors, and other everyday expenses to ensure we keep this historic district alive for our communities and small businesses remain healthy in this time of uncertainty.

Thank you so much for making it this far <3

Morgan Martinez (Solar Intentions)

Rafael Rivera (Transistor Chicago)

Solar Intentions

1056 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Chicago, IL 60660

Transistor Chicago

1058 W Bryn Mawr Ave

Chicago, IL 60660