Introduction to The AUX
We break down complex business news to help you understand how money moves in Chicago and how it affects you.
The Concept of The AUX
What began as a meeting of inspired entrepreneurs has led to the opening of an ambitious Evanston commercial hub showcasing small Black-owned businesses and promoting racial equity and wellness. Five years have passed since cousins and police sergeants Tosha Wilson and Jacqui White applied for a business loan to create The Laundry Cafe, a luxury laundromat-cafe hybrid. Despite great credit, income and assets, they were denied.
Facilities and Services
The building is the site of a former vegetable-processing facility. Comfort is at the heart of the hub — couches and seating in the building’s common space are meant to welcome the community in. Upon entering, visitors are greeted by The Laundry Cafe, the realization of Wilson and White’s original business plan. It includes a Wi-Fi-equipped cafe, tables and a couch. Customers can use large washers and dryers, or drop off their laundry.
The Laundry Cafe, inside The AUX at 2223 Washington St. in Evanston, aims to provide a relaxing, modern environment.
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Victor Hilitski/For the Sun-Times
Connection to the Community
References to Church Street and Florence Avenue, where Wilson and White grew up, can be seen throughout the space in artwork. Connecting most businesses inside the hub is Sunshine Enterprises, a business academy and partner of The AUX that offers training and guidance to rising business owners in underresourced areas. Most entrepreneurs at The AUX are graduates of the program.
The Role of The AUX in Promoting Wellness
“Through this overall project, I was like, ‘I guess my dream can finally come true,’ and it’s bigger,” said co-developer and wellness business coach Tiffini Holmes. Holmes, who has been a wellness coach since 2007, is a tenant in the hub as The Aux Wellness Collective. Her space has a small private gym, a movement studio and a treatment room for massages and physical therapy.
The Businesses Within The AUX
Nine Black business owners lease space as tenants with affordable rates, Holmes said. The collective also supports subtenants, like the mental health therapist who works in Holmes’ wellness collective. And community members and groups can rent spaces for meetings, the commercial kitchen and a podcast studio. Most tenants, such as Sokana Collective, a birth justice and doula academy that largely offers services for free, previously operated out of their homes.
Conclusion
The AUX is more than just a commercial hub; it’s a symbol of community and connection. It provides a space for Black-owned businesses to thrive and promotes wellness and racial equity. With its unique concept and facilities, The AUX is set to make a significant impact in the Evanston community.
FAQs
Q: What is The AUX?
A: The AUX is a 16,500-square-foot Black-owned commercial hub dedicated to healing, wellness, and racial equity.
Q: What kind of businesses are located within The AUX?
A: The AUX is home to various businesses, including The Laundry Cafe, The Aux Wellness Collective, Sokana Collective, and Embrace Your Crown salon.
Q: What services does The AUX offer?
A: The AUX offers a range of services, including laundry facilities, a cafe, wellness programs, birth justice and doula services, and hair care services.
Q: How can I get involved with The AUX?
A: You can get involved with The AUX by visiting their website, attending their events, or renting space for meetings or other activities.
