Grub Berry: NOF Feature in North Lawndale

Winston Cockburn is the Managing Director at Wincorp Ventures. In 2018, Mr. Cockburn acquired a mixed-use commercial building in North Lawndale, hoping to transform the space and lives of the local community. Over the years, Wincorp Ventures has sponsored a number of community engagement events, including BBQs and youth activities.

Neighborhood Opportunity Fund Impact

Wincorp Ventures received a $250,000 Neighborhood Opportunity Fund grant to build out and renovate a functional grocery store and take-out restaurant in North Lawndale. The site, previously an underused convenience store with a dilapidated adjacent lot, was given an overhaul and renamed Grub Berry.  

Today, Grub Berry is a compact fresh market and take-out restaurant providing healthy food options. It features an outdoor space that can be rented for private events at a discounted price for local residents, as well as a rotating featured chef line-up and tailored menus based on customer requests. With this project, Mr. Cockburn intends to revitalize the area’s curb appeal, while also providing a much-needed nutritional service to the community.

“The Neighborhood Opportunity Grant provided the necessary support needed to overcome strong headwinds and close funding gaps,” said Cockburn. “This emerging community treasure would not be possible without NOF.”

Project costs covered by the NOF grant include demolition, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, excavation, fencing, and overall improvements to the building’s façade.

Grub Berry is Open for Business:

Wincorp Ventures’ Grub Berry is located at 2838 W Roosevelt Rd.  You can follow them on Twitter/X @berrygrub, Instagram @grubberrychicago, and Facebook @grubberrychicago. New website coming soon at www.grubberrychicago.com.

Learn More About the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund

The City of Chicago Neighborhood Opportunity Fund generates revenue from downtown developments to finance permanent building improvements for small businesses and nonprofits. Administered by SomerCor, NOF grants are for commercial property acquisition, improvement or new construction and can range up to $250,000. If you have a vision to strengthen the commercial corridors in Chicago’s South, Southwest, and West Sides, click here to learn more about the program.