By Zion Trinidad
Marcus Kirby is the owner of Paseo Boricua’s “Succulent City” located at 2540 W Division St. His shop carries a variety of succulents, tropical, and hanging plants with some meant to be a centerpiece and others being the perfect gifts for a loved one. In an interview with Marcus, he expressed his desire to sell plants at an affordable price that can act as therapy for those who need it in a time of stress and isolation.
As he admits, the pandemic and subsequent inflation have affected his business greatly, but he hopes to open his space as one for the community. When asked what it means for him to have his business on Paseo Boricua, Marcus shared that since he moved to Chicago in 2009, Paseo Boricua and Humboldt Park have been all he has known. As a Latinx business owner, the sense of community that he found here has inspired his dream to open a store for a community that is often priced out of the hobby. He attributes The PRCC’s Small Business Development Center for helping him greatly throughout what could be a very difficult process of sole proprietorship. If you would like to shop at Succulent City the storefront is open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekends. The best way to see what his store has to offer is by following his Instagram @thesucculentcity and Facebook thesucculentcity. Best wishes to Marcus and his business!
