Colores Mexicanos celebrates cultural diversity in downtown Chicago

Colores Mexicanos , a family owned store on the Magnificent Mile, along with its outdoor cafe, CocoBar are welcoming locals and tourists to learn about Mexican culture during Hispanic Heritage Month, which starts Sunday.

Zoom in: Erika Espinosa, an immigrant from Mexico, owns and operates Colores Mexicanos and CocoBar with her sister Leti and friend Gabriel Neely-Streit.

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Flashback: Colores Mexicanos was part of the city's World Business Chicago and the Magnificent Mile Association Cultural Showcase program , a pop-up effort to fill empty storefronts on North Michigan Avenue during the 2022 holiday season.

State of play: Following the success of the pop up store, Espinosa extended the store lease.

• Today, the vibrant two-story store features hand-made clothing, jewelry, art, books, Mexican snacks and more. On the second floor, the store offers art workshops led by Mexican artisans and events to the public.
• They will host a free weeklong exhibit by Latino photographer Miguel Morna Freitas next month.

What they're saying: "We're very proud to represent our culture. Our store is the first one of its kind to be here in the city, " Espinosa tells Axios.

• "Our store is very different. It's a new experience for people. It's full of art, decor, crafts, textiles, everything here is handmade."

The outdoor CocoBar cafe above the Chicago Riverwalk. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios

Dig in: CocoBar, about a half-mile south of the shop, offers authentic Latin American inspired meals and drinks above the riverwalk.

• This restaurant is owned by a Mexican American woman and operated by a woman chef who makes both the ingredients and food from scratch.

What I ate: I grabbed a cucumber margarita ($15), quesadilla ($13), tacos ($15), and churro fries ($8).

• The salsa flavors and tacos were sweet and rich, unlike anything I've tried in a long time. The churro fries were an unexpected sweet treat to wrap it up.

Moyo and Erika eating at CocoBar. Photo: Moyo Adeolu/Axios

If you go: Colores Mexicanos, 605 Michigan Ave., is open 10am to 6:30pm Sunday-Thursday and 10am to 7:30pm Friday-Saturday.

• CocoBar, 316 N. Wabash Ave., is open everyday 11:30am-10:30pm.

🎥 WATCH: An inside tour of the store and bar