One month ago, while several new pop-up shops were opening in University of Chicago storefronts along 53rd Street, two local entrepreneurs swooped into a retail space on the other end of the neighborhood.

On Saturday, Nov. 8, Nancy Jackson and Gwen Pruitt, both residents of the 4800 block of South Drexel Avenue, opened Tangible Things, an art store at 4856 S. Cottage Grove Ave. The small shop, wedged in between a convenience store and nail salon, grew out of the past experiences and expertise of the two non-profit veterans – Jackson, executive director of youth job training and educational organization Prologue Inc., and Pruitt, a former employee of the Little Black Pearl Art and Design Center, 1060 E. 47th St.

“As an outgrowth of the experiences that I had running the non-profit, I saw the impact of art on African American communities and the impact of art on the lives of our young people,” Jackson said. “So part of the reason that I wanted to do something in art and something on a retail level, was to begin to provide educational programs that are community-based and to be able to educate people in a different way.”

Tangible Things will serve as a hybrid cafe, art store and community center. The store will sell art and beverages Thursdays through Saturdays, and function as a cafe hosting workshops Mondays through Wednesdays. Pruitt plans to host 10 workshops in the space – including ones for yoga and massage – and she and Jackson plan to also eventually sell bikes and open an outdoor patio for cafe patrons.

Already the cafe sells coffee, tea and hot cocoa, while the store sells books, clothing, home furnishings, jewelry and body products, as well as artwork – including paintings and sculptures – from as far away as Colombia, Benin and Gabon.

Jackson and Pruitt scoped out Hyde Park, north Bronzeville and Chinatown before settling into their location. The recent opening of a Wal-Mart store at 47th Street and Cottage Grove, as well as affordable rent and proximity to home was attractive, said Jackson, who doesn’t drive.

“And it’s safer than it used to be,” Pruitt said. “It truly is.”

“I think that this area, as part of Bronzeville, saw better days – a long time ago” Jackson said. “And so I hope we are headed back in that direction again.”

Despite new development, Jackson said she is optimistic that the surrounding community will remain in tact with its diverse mix of artists, low-income residents and seniors.

“I’m hoping they’ll be able to hold the line and not succumb to all of the big-box – and big-name and corporate – stuff that’s rolling down 53rd Street and the other areas in the community,” Jackson said.