Cermak Road

Long revered as Berwyn’s “Main Street,” Cermak Road plays an integral role in the city’s rich history as a haven for entrepreneurs. In Berwyn’s early days, people from around the world set roots down here, often chasing a dream that involved putting their skills, knowledge, and passions to use for the community. Today, Cermak Road is a busy commercial district filled with everything from local makers to budding entrepreneurs to small businesses and national chains. Whether you’re looking for candies made in Berwyn, a handmade gift, school supplies, or a quick, convenient meal, Cermak Road’s reputation as a one-street destination for all your everyday needs continues to ring true. 

Though today it’s a main business district in the heart of Berwyn, Cermak Road had humble beginnings as 22nd Street. A map from 1919 shows the road was sparsely populated and largely undeveloped. Just a handful of homes, sheds, two offices, and two stores were set up to serve the still-growing farming community.

Eventually, a streetcar system that used a train whistle was installed down the center of the street, which was lined with magnificent Silver maples and stately elms.

In the early 1920s, the city saw a boom in new residents, many moving from nearby Chicago neighborhoods like Pilsen and Lawndale where there had been large ethnic communities from countries in Europe. The North Side of Berwyn saw a heavy concentration of Czech residents whose influence — in food, politics, and business — helped shape the city’s early culture and traditions. In fact, the North Side Czech community held so much clout in political races that it served as an “invisible and yet de facto barrier” between the city’s North and South Sides, according to a 1929 speech from Berwyn official Olaf K. Jorgensen.

In 1933, 22nd Street was renamed Cermak Road in honor of Chicago’s 34th mayor Anton Josef “Tony” Cermak, a Czech immigrant, who was killed in February 1933 during an assassination attempt at President Franklin D. Roosevelt while the men were both in Florida. Since the road passed through several Czech-American neighborhoods in Chicago and the suburbs, including Berwyn, the change to recognize such an important leader felt appropriate. The renaming was done just in time for the Century of Progress exposition, which ran from Harlem Avenue to the lakefront.

“Those sections of Chicago the suburbs which knew the late mayor best through all the years of rise to power in the Democratic ranks will now be reminded of him when driving, walking, or reading the newspapers,” a 1933 article in Berwyn Life read.

That same year, Berwyn Community Gardens was opened at the southwest corner of Harlem and Cermak — a 35-acre tract of land with 225 120 x 50-foot garden plots built to help unemployed residents “who are battling bravely to keep their self-support and who would like the chance to work in a garden” as the Great Depression raged on.

At one point, so many Czech financial businesses and savings and loan institutions called Cermak Road home that it was known as the “Bohemian Wall Street.” The Czech community’s rich influence and history are still evident today at the Chicagoland Czech American Community Center, 6635 W. Cermak Rd.

Over the years, Cermak has seen a transition toward the many fantastic Latin small businesses that currently call the route home — showing how the spirit of entrepreneurship and cultural diversity continues to define the street. Cermak is still a place where mom-and-pop shops rule, but has also expanded to include many larger businesses and chains that reflect our needs for modern convenience. 

In 1956, Cermak Plaza officially opened at the southeast corner of Harlem and Cermak. As one of the area’s first outdoor shopping malls, it instantly became an epicenter of business activity with its variety of stores and services all within walking distance. The later addition of its now immediately recognizable teal sign with giant white arrows serves as a nostalgic nod to the plaza’s staying power. At night, the signs glow in reddish-pink and green.

Today, the plaza remains a busy shopping center with an abundance of well-known national brands shoppers know and love. From retail stores like Marshalls, K&G Fashion Superstore, Gap Factory, Old Navy, Ross, and Shoe Carnival — to everyday supplies stores like Walgreens, Dollar Tree, Office Depot, Party City, and Tony’s Fresh Market — the plaza is a go-to place for groceries, shopping, home decor, pet supplies, and more.

Hungry visitors can drive through McDonald’s for a quick snack, or sit down for a delicious mid-day meal at Longhorn Steakhouse. Just across the street, there are even more fan favorites like Starbucks, Panera, Five Guys, Buffalo Wild Wings, and Jimmy John’s. 

Of course, this is Cermak Road, so local entrepreneurs and small businesses have also become woven into the fabric of the plaza. At Berwyn Sprout, creatives come together to show off their work with individual stalls — from candlemakers to unique jewelry and clothes to handmade soaps and festive hand-sewn bows. It’s the perfect one-stop gift stop for a one-of-a-kind purchase that supports local makers!

The plaza is also home to the new Berwyn Boutique, another entrepreneur collective that includes several vendors who sell beautiful handmade accessories, house plants, boutique clothing, and children’s books.

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well throughout the rest of the street, with small businesses serving as the lifeblood of the corridor. Here, you can find nearly any professional service imaginable, like attorneys, realtors, tax experts, and insurance agents, as well as clothing boutiques, beauty shops, pet stores, and more. Need a dentist, a primary care physician, or a women’s health specialist? Cermak Road has them
all.

Get beautified at local establishments like BR Barber Lounge No. 3, Platinum Fades Barber Lounge, A&S Nails, and Betty’s & Nick’s Family Hair Care — and check out Craig’s Shoes and Scelebrations Fashion for the perfect accessories to top it off. James & Williams Jewelers, 7020 W. Cermak Rd., has specialized in dazzling one-of-a-kind jewelry and watches since 1962, while VNA Flowers & Gifts, 6531 W. Cermak Rd., offers an incredible variety of bright, fresh florals for every occasion.

Women can work on their fitness goals at W3Body women’s gym, 6342 W. Cermak Rd. and furry friends can get the works at Cookies Grooming & Spa, 6230 W. Cermak Rd. You can also refresh your home’s style at Leyla Home Furniture, 6717 W. Cermak Rd., and find all the supplies you need for any home project at Tele-Tron Ace Hardware, 6604 W. Cermak Rd., which has served the community since 1976.

When you want fresh produce, top-choice meats, and authentic Mexican ingredients, Mi Huerta Grocery and Valle’s Produce are two beloved local markets, while Pierre’s Bakery West whips up tasty homemade cakes and pastries.

With so much cultural diversity, it’s no surprise that Cermak Road is known for its global cuisine. In addition to all the classic American fast-food chains, the street is dotted with amazing restaurants, taquerias, date night spots, and sweets shops that offer flavors from around the world. Cermak’s reputation as a foodie paradise is celebrated each year with the Taste of Cermak festival, which offers an afternoon of sampling some of the street’s best eats.

Get your Chinese food fix at mainstays like Overseas China and Wanda’s Chinese Kitchen or grab a hot, fresh pizza from favorites like Home Run Inn Pizzeria and Waldo Cooney’s Pizza. A trip down Cermak is also the perfect time to opt for some of the most authentic, exceptional Mexican food in the area. Get quick-service tacos and tortas at Zacatacos, savor homemade traditional Mexican dishes from La Lupita Mexican Restaurant’s colorful patio, or sip a margarita or Michelada with nachos during the big game at Guadalajara Grill & Bar. At Nuevo Vallarta Sports Bar & Grill, 6801 W. Cermak Rd., enjoy cold beers and dine on an expansive seafood menu from within the historic walls of the former American State Bank building, built in 1925-26, which is a Berwyn landmark and recognized in the National Register of Historic Places.

Wine lovers can stop by Flight 22 Wine Bar, 6518 W. Cermak Rd., for a casual night of fun, while La Parra Restaurant & Bar, 6710 W. Cermak Rd., is known for its creative cocktails and upscale Mediterranean fare.

And don’t forget about your sweet tooth: La Michocana Classic, 6533 W. Cermak Rd., slings delicious Mexican-style desserts like paletas, aguas frescas, and creamy, fruity ice cream that you’ll want to keep coming back for. Then, stop by Old Fashioned Candies, 6210 W. Cermak Rd., where the Brunslik family has been lovingly crafting handmade candies and chocolates in Berwyn since 1976.

Cermak Road has been so iconic that it’s even made its way to the silver screen. The 2008 movie “Wanted,” starring Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman, saw a fake shoot-out in the former Egg Store grocery store, and the plaza’s famous blue-green sign and former “Spindle” car sculpture were immortalized in the 1992 classic “Wayne’s World.” The 50-foot piece, which consisted of eight cars impaled with a giant spike, was created by artist Dustin Shuler in 1989 and remained at the plaza until 2008. Still, its imagery continues to be associated with Berwyn, thanks in part to its preservation in film.

One notable work of art on Cermak Road that can still be appreciated today is found in the Berwyn Post Office, 6625 W. Cermak Rd. In 1942, artist Richard Haines painted “The Picnic” — a mural depicting people listening to music while enjoying a picnic — as part of a New Deal program that called for the federal government to commission murals in post office buildings across the country. The ornate Berwyn Post Office had
been built only two years prior in 1940, and the large wall mural remains one of its most precious and defining features.

At 6246 W. Cermak Rd. is another local claim to fame: the quirky World’s Largest Laundromat. There’s nothing quite like this unique 13,500-square-foot business — it’s home to over 300 laundry machines, never closes, uses solar power, displays over a dozen flatscreen TVs, and has a kids’ play area. The laundromat opened in 1982 and also promotes a reading program, sponsors the city’s annual fireworks show, offers free pizza on Wednesdays, and supports a bird aviary that studies finches. It’s this type of interesting, community-focused small business that makes the street so special and helps put Berwyn on the map.