Southwest Chamber Launches with Business Breakfast

The Southwest Chamber of Commerce, a new business association serving Chicago’s Southwest Side, launched its operations and membership outreach with a business breakfast on June 23, 2026, in the McKinley Park
neighborhood.

More than 20 attended the breakfast at the New Archview restaurant, nearly all local business owners and managers who enjoyed a family-style meal, networking and learning about the plans to start up the chamber.

Chamber President pro tem Carlos Chavarria explained why our community needed a chamber and the benefits it brings: both for businesses and the communities they serve. All benefit from a thriving economic environment, he said.

Chamber Characteristics

Justin Kerr, vice president pro tem for the chamber, outlined organizational steps for starting the chamber and the characteristics it should embody.

Chamber President pro tem Carlos Chavarria talks about why a chamber is important at the business breakfast on June 23, 2026.“We are a fully inclusive organization open to all types and sizes of businesses,” he said. “Being a member-driven organization ensures we are independent, accountable and able to collectively create a voice for local enterprise.”

Elevator Pitches

At the breakfast, business owners introduced themselves and practiced an essential business skill in an elevator pitch round robin: Each had 30 seconds to share who they are and what they offer before a bell signaled the end of their time.

Kerr outlined the chamber’s 180-day startup schedule, including monthly meetings focused on chamber development culminating in elections for full-term officers and directors in December 2026.

July 21 Meeting

A regular cadence for member meetings — prospectively the third Tuesday of the month — sets the next Southwest Chamber of Commerce meeting for July 21, 2026, Kerr said. The meetings will rotate through locations in the community.

Owners of BASE Community Cafe at 1200 W. 35th St., Chicago, attended the breakfast and graciously offered to host the July meeting, and said they were excited to sign up as a member.

Dozen-Plus Members

Chavarria said he was pleased about the strong interest already shown in a local chamber of commerce, and noted the more than a dozen membership commitments received up to and through the breakfast.

All businesses are welcome to join at any time, he said, with information for doing so on the chamber website at SouthWestChamber.biz.

The McKinley Park News is a founding member of the Southwest Chamber of Commerce