In Chicago, small businesses find prosperity under the 'Pope economy'
In the bustling city of Chicago, the election of Pope Leo XIV in May 2013 has set off an unexpected wave of creativity and commerce. A local entrepreneur, Cortney Black Kinzler, owner of Urban Artisan in Geneva, Illinois, seized the opportunity to create pope-themed merchandise the very day of the election.
Kinzler's unique designs have proven to be a hit, particularly in the Chicagoland area, where Pope Leo XIV grew up. Her most popular shirt features an image of the pontiff holding an Old Style beer and a shot of Malort liquor, two Chicago favourites. Another popular design depicts the pontiff holding an Italian beef sandwich with the phrase, "Baptized Chicago style". The Latin phrase "Amici Manus Chicagonis" on the shirt translates to "The Chicago handshake".
Kinzler's business has seen a 20% increase at local street festivals, and her pope-themed baby onesies have become a must-have for new parents who want to celebrate their Chicago roots. The demand for such merchandise is so high that Kinzler's creation, Da Pope, sold out in just three weeks.
The pope-themed merchandise has even extended to sports merchandise, with Grandstand selling No. 14 White Sox jerseys with Pope Leo XIV's name on the back. Inside Rate Field, fans can be seen wearing pope-themed T-shirts with an outline of the pope's mitre headdress above the White Sox baseball player logo.
Brent Raska, a former Presbyterian pastor, owns Burning Bush Brewery in Chicago and produced a beer called Da Pope, featuring Pope Leo XIV's likeness. Creative entrepreneurs worldwide have been producing merchandise featuring Pope Leo XIV's likeness, and the city's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events credits civic pride for the rise in pope-themed merchandise and art.
Elliot Richardson, co-founder and president of the Small Business Advocacy Council in Chicago, stated that new events can create a boom for certain businesses. Pope Leo XIV's election has been seen as a "spark" on the south side of Chicago by White Sox fan Irene Richardson, who believes that the pope's election has brought a renewed sense of pride and unity to the city.
While the election of Pope Francis in 2013 was a significant event globally, the available search results do not indicate a specific documented impact on small businesses in Chicago. Any economic or cultural influence on the local business environment would be speculative without targeted studies or reports. Nevertheless, the pope-themed merchandise and art in Chicago serve as a testament to the city's love for its native son and the creative spirit of its entrepreneurs.
[1] "Pope Francis: A Man of His Word", directed by Wim Wenders, 2018. [5] "The Francis Effect: A Revolution of the Heart", by James Martin, SJ, 2014.
Small-business owner Cortney Black Kinzler's sales have increased by 20% due to the creation of pope-themed merchandise, which includes baby onesies and shirts featuring designs symbolizing Chicago favorites. The demand for such merchandise, stemming from Pope Leo XIV's election, has shown a significant boost in small-business finances, illustrating the potential impact of unexpected events on small-business growth.
