Located at 319 E Garfield Blvd inside the historic first “L” station—originally built in 1892 to transport visitors to the World's Fair—this historic space is entering a new chapter.

Transitioning from its successful run as the L1 Retail Store, the space is now L1 Commons: a dynamic environment designed to GATHER, EXCHANGE, and IMAGINE. Operated by Arts + Public Life at the University of Chicago, L1 Commons is dedicated to shared neighborhood use. We proudly welcome artists, neighbors, and students to use the space for workshops, meetings, and creative projects that shape the cultural life of Washington Park.

Celebrating the Legacy of the L1 Retail Store

From 2021 through June 2026, Arts + Public Life operated the L1 Retail Store to strengthen the capacity of the South Side’s cultural sector and remove barriers to entry. Through the L1 Creative Business Accelerator Fellowship, three cohorts of entrepreneurs received a free retail presence, gaining crucial brick-and-mortar experience and directly connecting with customers. Every purchase made directly benefited the fellows, fueling their growth and contributing to the South Side's economic vitality.

From March 2025 to June 2026, our Entrepreneur-in-Residence, Peter Gaona showcased his distinctive brand, Reformed School, alongside a beautiful curation of South Side brands inside the L1 Retail Store. His vision, community focus, and creative energy made the store a vital hub for entrepreneurship, for instance, Sip & Shop series, Forever Fly Vintage Market, Pride Market.

Learn more about APL’s offerings in Creative Entrepreneurship here

L1's success is made possible in part by the vital support of Good Chaos, the National Endowment for the Arts, Bank of America, and the significant contribution of Raymond J. Iwanowski (Booth ‘97)