Lincoln Park Market In The Community

Co-owner, Bruce Longanecker, currently serves on the Illinois Food Retailers Association (IFRA) Board (www.ilfood.org), Clark Street Special Service Area (SSA) Commission (http://www.clarkstreetssa.org), is past chairman of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce (LPCC) (www.lincolnparkchamber.com) and has served on various committees throughout Lincoln Park, and is a member of the Park West Community Association (www.parkwestcommunity.com). Lincoln Park Market supports the Park West Community Association and all of their efforts to keep this a great community.

Lakeview Pantry 

Lincoln Park Market supports Lakeview Pantry (www.lakeviewpantry.org) and Church of Our Savior in their efforts to feed the homeless. Also, Lincoln Park Market is a good friend with all local schools and churches.

Serving the Homeless 

Recently, a 22-year-old homeless shelter -- once a source of controversy in its pricey Lincoln Park neighborhood -- is now a source of pride for some, thanks mostly to its $1.4 million face-lift. People used to sleep on mattresses at the shelter nestled in the basement of the Lincoln Park Presbyterian Church, but now one of the North Side's few transitional housing options for the homeless boasts bunk beds, new shower facilities and a computer lab with Internet service, among other improvements. We at Lincoln Park Market are as active as we can be in helping assist the activities of those wishing to improve the lives of our neighbors.

Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce

Playing a key role in his community is important to Bruce, and he served as Chairman of the Lincoln Park Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Today he chairs the Clark Street Special Service Area Commission, which funds such initiatives as area beautification and street cleaning, in addition to new bicycles for police officers and bike racks for the area.

This community-focused approach has been the mainstay of Bruce's business and he continues to plan new and creative ways to grow his store. "Grocers need to think outside of the box," he said. "We don't just have to be in the grocery business if we have room for it. It's like the old general store. What are people asking for? You should have it."