Local Rec Center Hosts Marketplace for Small Businesses

Five Stars Sports opens its doors to support family-owned shops impacted by immigration raids.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 2:39pm

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In honor of National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day, a local recreation center in Chicago called Five Stars Sports is transforming into a marketplace this weekend. The goal is to support small, family-owned shops that have been impacted by recent immigration raids in the area.

Why it matters

Small businesses, especially those owned by immigrant families, have faced significant challenges in recent years due to factors like immigration enforcement and the economic impacts of the pandemic. This event provides a platform for these local shops to connect with the community and potentially boost their sales.

The details

Five Stars Sports, a local recreation center, is opening its doors to host a special marketplace event this weekend. The goal is to support small, family-owned businesses that have been impacted by recent immigration raids in the Chicago area. The event will feature various local vendors selling products ranging from apparel to other goods.

  • The marketplace event is taking place this weekend.
  • National Mom and Pop Business Owners Day is on Sunday, March 28, 2026.

The players

Joe De Ramos

Representative from Five Stars Sports, the organization hosting the marketplace event.

Leticia Hernandez

Representative from FashionKit, one of the small businesses participating in the marketplace event.

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What they’re saying

“We must do all we can to support our local small businesses, especially those owned by immigrant families who have faced so many challenges.”

— Joe De Ramos, Representative, Five Stars Sports

“This event is a lifeline for us and other small shops that have been struggling. We're grateful to have this platform to connect with the community.”

— Leticia Hernandez, Representative, FashionKit

What’s next

The marketplace event at Five Stars Sports will take place this weekend, offering a chance for local small businesses to connect with the community and potentially boost their sales.

The takeaway

This event highlights the importance of supporting small, local businesses, especially those owned by immigrant families who have faced significant challenges in recent years. By providing a platform for these shops to connect with the community, the marketplace event at Five Stars Sports aims to make a meaningful difference for struggling entrepreneurs.