Goose Island Shrimp House Will Receive Business Award

The local Chicago staple will be honored on October 8, 2026, for its long history of community support.

Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Healthy Food

Goose Island Shrimp House Will Receive Business Award

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North Branch Works will present the Small Business of the Year Award to Goose Island Shrimp House on October 8, 2026. The recognition highlights the restaurant's five decades of service and contributions to the local Chicago community.

Why it matters

The honor acknowledges the restaurant's legacy of support, including its annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway for local families. This award underscores the impact small, long-standing businesses have on neighborhood stability.

Located at 1011 W. Division St., the restaurant has been in operation for 53 years. It maintains daily business hours from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.

The players

Goose Island Shrimp House

This long-standing Chicago restaurant serves a variety of seafood dishes and provides ongoing support to the local community.

North Branch Works

This organization supports local business development and community growth throughout Chicago.

Lamon Eichelberger

He is the current owner of the restaurant and has managed the establishment for more than ten years.

Ed Polizzi

He founded the restaurant in 1973.

The details

Founded by Ed Polizzi in 1973, the establishment serves traditional fare including shrimp, catfish, and frog legs. Current owner Lamon Eichelberger, who has led the business for over a decade, plans to expand the facility to include a shared kitchen for student programs and local caterers.

The restaurant opened in 1973.
Lamon Eichelberger began working at the restaurant in the mid-1990s.
The restaurant hosted its Thanksgiving meal giveaway last year.
The award presentation occurs October 8, 2026, at the North Branch Works Fall Fest.

Culture Shift

This recognition aligns with a growing emphasis on preserving legacy neighborhood institutions that serve as community anchors. These establishments are increasingly viewed as essential for maintaining social cohesion amidst rapid urban development.

The restaurant's planned expansion into a shared kitchen space will create new opportunities for local caterers and student programs to develop their skills. Residents can also look forward to an increased capacity for the annual Thanksgiving meal giveaway, which aims to serve 200 families.

The takeaway

Small businesses often serve as critical social safety nets by providing direct support to the communities where they operate. Supporting these long-standing local establishments can foster neighborhood resilience and preserve local history.