The Alley is celebrating 50 years in business with a block party in Avondale (2620 W Fletcher) on Sunday, June 14 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All are welcome and invited to celebrate this incredible milestone. The Alley Chicago is an iconic counterculture store well known for its vast collection of Goth, Punk, Metal, Motorcycle, and Chicago merchandise.

Mark Thomas founded The Alley after developing a strong interest in business as a high school student at Holy Name Cathedral. It was a challenging time for him as his parents went through a divorce and he had to abruptly switch high schools.

Mark used personal savings meant for college to purchase a jewelry manufacturing business. At the time, The Alley store in Woodfield Mall became his biggest customer.

Eventually, Mark bought The Alley and relocated it to Belmont and Clark, where it served Lakeview for over forty years, creating an accepting and inviting area for people of all backgrounds and orientations. The area had an incredible synergy with Punkin' Donuts, Hollywood Mirror, and nearby army surplus store.

Mark did a lot to improve the area, opening up six stores and creating the Central Lakeview Merchants Assocaition and Special Service Area (SSA) #17. His community building work included a run for alderman in the 44th Ward out of a concern about the growing number of vacant storefronts and the closure of small businesses.

Mark's public service continued as the Executive Director of the business support organization, Kedzie, Elston, and Belmont Industrial Corridor (KEBIC) that was part of the City of Chicago's Local Indsutrial Retention Initiative (LIRI).

In 2020, The Alley moved from Lakeview to its present location in Avondale where it joined The Art Colony, which is another of Mark's business ventures that rents space at below market prices to artists and musicians.

Over the course of its history, The Alley has employed 3,000 people in good jobs where they learned essential skills like how to manage the store, make purchasing decisions, and evaluate inventory.

Mark is a talented entreprenuer who has overcome a drug addiction and challenging finanical situations to build what is now the thriving odd in Avondale community. He is generous with his time, frequently mentoring and helping aspiring entrepreneurs.

Currently, Mark is on the last part of his journey with The Alley as he is looking for a successor to purchase the business and start a new chapter that builds up on his incredible legacy.

Mark hopes to remain involved with The Alley for the rest of his life as it is a major part of his heart and soul.

He is forever grateful that he used personal savings to go into business instead of attending college. Owning The Alley has been like winning the lottery for him.

Please join us for the block party celebrating The Alley on June 14th. We'll recognize the many contributions the business has made to Chicago and honor Mark's distinguished legacy.

And it will be a great time with a special program and opportunities for community building.