Melanie Whaley, Essential Elements Owner
87th Street near Stony Island Avenue has long been considered a shopping Mecca on the South Side for the Black community and others.
Essential Elements-Chicago, a Black and woman-owned boutique, has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s South Side fashion scene for more than 30 years.
Founded with a passion for providing real women with exquisite fabrics, unique styles, and exceptional quality, the boutique curates a diverse collection of clothing, shoes, and accessories.
Many of these items are beautifully sourced pieces from European and independent designers, reflecting sophisticated artistic styles that remain timeless in any wardrobe.
This past April, Essential Elements had a big Renovation Blow Out sale, as they anticipated expansion and construction on another building right next door to their existing building at 1640 E. 87th St.
The city announced in January 2024 that Essential Elements had received a development grant of $675K after the business applied for the grant, which was specifically aimed at under-invested South and West side communities.
“These Community Development Grants reinforce our commitment to fostering vibrant, walkable neighborhoods by supporting the dreams and initiatives of passionate Chicagoans,” Mayor Brandon Johnson said at the time.
Finalists were selected from more than 260 proposals, and “in addition to having immediate impacts, all these projects will serve as anchors for additional long-term investments,” said Department of Planning and Development Commissioner Ciere Boatright.
Essential Elements owner, Melanie Whaley, shared a bit of her origins and plans for the grant with the Chicago Crusader.
“Part of the buildout will be used to expand into a shoe store, a space for trunk shows, website operations, photography and garment fulfillment,” she said.
“We are also going to have a dual-purpose space for special events, book signings and artist talks for the community, in a project that is estimated at a total of $925K,” she said.
Whaley says in the past, the store has received smaller grants, and she recognized 8th Ward Alderman Michelle Harris, the Chatham Business Association, and the Southeast Chamber of Commerce for their valuable assistance.
Whaley has come a long way since her dream for a store that began as mostly accessories in 1987.
“The strip was bustling with Black-owned businesses, and my dad saw a vacant storefront,” Whaley said. That storefront was at a building about a half a block from the current location, which she moved into in 2007.
She said that after a slow start and with help from her parents who were in the clothing business, she was able to get her sea legs, so to speak. Her strong desire, vision, and faith in God to introduce new and exciting brands that span the globe, caused what was once a neighborhood store to rapidly grow into a shopper’s destination.
“Back then, it was accessories only. Essential elements to complete your outfit.”
Whaley triumphed when she was able to get the Flax brand of comfortable linens from a New York supplier in the mid-90s.
“It was a big shot of adrenaline. It was like a cult. Women were buying it [the brand] like crazy,” she said.
I shared a memory with her when she said her customers were asking for the brand after they were only able to purchase from primarily North Shore clothiers, as at that time, I had bought a few pieces from a store in Hinsdale.
Courtney Washington, a Jamaican designer, was another early supplier. Now Whaley goes to New York twice a year to international trade shows.
The store has been known in the past for their parking lot sales, which Whaley says are really a “giveback” to the community with extreme discounts. “We would feed customers for free, and we had women traveling in from neighboring states.”
Their marketing has changed since the times when Whaley was sending postcards to customers. There are rigorous email marketing campaigns for the annual “12 Days of Christmas” sale, other bi-annual events, and currently for Mother’s Day.
“Mother’s Day is huge for us, and we are having a dress, shoe and jewelry sale running from May 8 through May 12. We will have a milliner and a jewelry designer there on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10,” Whaley said.
On May 2, the store ended an “Essential Glow-Up: A Mother’s Day Makeover Giveaway” contest that awarded a deserving mom a makeover, a gift certificate, and a mini photo shoot. The winner will be chosen on May 9, and the experience will take place on May 17.
“We are conscious of the fact that moms want their dresses,” as she reflected on her late mother, who was very instrumental in the beginning. “I am missing my mom tremendously. Whether you are a mom, a surrogate and especially if you still have your mom: relish every moment of it. None of us are here without a mother. If you don’t have your mom, let her legacy live on in your life and heart.”
Visit Essential Elements-Chicago at 1640 E. 87th St. or online at shopeechicago.com.
Elaine Hegwood Bowen, M.S.J., is the Entertainment Editor for the Chicago Crusader. She is a National Newspaper Publishers Association Entertainment Writing’ award winner, contributor to “Rust Belt Chicago” and the author of “Old School Adventures from Englewood: South Side of Chicago.” For info, Old School Adventures from Englewood-South Side of Chicago (lulu.com)