Mama Africa’s Marketplace in South Shore is facing closure as its landlord prepares to sell the building, largely due to significant property tax increases. The community-based storefront, located at 2100 E. 71st St., has served as a hub for African cultural products and community events since its opening in 2021. Owner Lakiesha Williams has rallied local support to prevent the displacement of her business, which has become a vital resource for neighborhood residents.
The marketplace has provided a space for various community initiatives, including youth employment programs and food giveaways. An estimated 300 organizations have utilized the 4,000-square-foot venue over the years. Williams emphasized the importance of the marketplace, stating, “It’s just been a home to those who don’t have a home.”
With the property taxes in the area rising steeply, the building’s owner, John Lewis, sought to sell the property as he could no longer manage the financial burden. Property taxes in predominantly Black and Brown neighborhoods like South Shore have surged, with bills expected to increase from $16,463 in 2022 to $58,592 by 2025. The impending opening of the Obama Presidential Center nearby has raised concerns among residents about further gentrification and rising living costs.
In the fall of 2023, Williams learned through a notification from Lewis that her lease would not be renewed as he was considering selling the property. One of the potential buyers is Eli Williamson, founder of the nonprofit Leave No Veteran Behind, which aims to support veterans through job placement and food access initiatives. Williams expressed her shock at discovering that Williamson, someone she had previously met, was the buyer. She felt that the situation could have been handled more compassionately, especially given her longstanding commitment to the community.
As the sale process advanced, Williams organized a community gathering to show support for Mama Africa’s Marketplace. Approximately 40 people attended, hoping to convince Lewis to allow them the opportunity to raise funds to purchase the building. He initially provided until January 5, 2024, to secure financing, later extending it to January 23, 2024. Despite a GoFundMe campaign raising around $25,000, Williams indicated that private lenders required a minimum of $100,000 in cash to proceed.
The situation became more complicated when Williamson declined to meet with Williams to discuss the sale. He later stated that the local Chamber of Commerce was reaching out to provide alternative locations for her business. However, Williams noted that similar spaces would cost about three times more than her current rent, which had increased from $700 to $1,100 monthly since she took over the space.
Williams is currently facing an eviction case at her home and expressed her dismay at the timing of the sale announcement, stating, “I was just like, ‘Who does that to someone on Christmas?’” She believes that the underlying issue stems from rising property taxes, suggesting that if the taxes had not escalated, Lewis would not have felt compelled to sell the building.
Williamson, on the other hand, has stressed that his intention is to maintain the property as a community asset, aiming for its preservation over the long term. He acknowledged the necessity of renovations but did not provide specific details about the sale. “Our goal is to make sure that it’s a community asset, not just for the next five years, but for the next 20 years,” he remarked.
As the community awaits a resolution, Williams remains hopeful but realistic about the challenges ahead. She continues to advocate for Mama Africa’s Marketplace as a vital resource for the South Shore area, emphasizing the different motivations behind community-driven initiatives. “It’s a different type of dynamic when it comes to pouring into a community,” she stated, highlighting the unique connection that local businesses foster within their neighborhoods. The fate of Mama Africa’s Marketplace hangs in the balance as the community rallies to support its preservation against the backdrop of rising property taxes and potential displacement.
