Our History
Absolutely Anything Essential is owned by producer Kenya Renee who is no stranger to entrepreneurship. Kenya Renee comes from a family of entrepreneurs and credits her grandmother, Ethel Mae, a known seamstress, in Chicago who sold her handmade quilts, skirts and handcrafted lye soap to private clients, at local markets for over 50 years, worked diligently to build solid foundations for her family, who taught Kenya all about diversification and how to use her creativity to inspire others and deal fairly with vendors. Her late mother Viola Haywood played an essential role in enhancing the popularity of the space by offering her popular toffee treats onsite for over the past 7 years until her transition in 2023.
For over eight years now, Absolutely Anything Essential has maintained a steady record of growth, accented by our location being settled a short drive south of the McCormick Place, near major expressways, as well as transit lines which has made us an easy access retail incubator and tour group experience location.
Absolutely Anything Essential has been noted as Neighborhood Champions through American Express and since 2016 has operated in a three level judgement free environment who attributes impactful community building to its facilitators, volunteers and 99% women, teen girl and artist supporters who exhibit solid core competencies and hold an array of skills across many tiers of knowledge and professionalism in their crafts to implement inspirational projects.
Absolutely Anything Essential 3521 S. King Drive
Chicago, IL 60653
312-238-9447