Ten years ago, Julie Riesco was so sick that her youngest son asked if she was going to die. Her allergy and asthma medicine wasn't working. She sought alternative medicine and formed a relationship with a homeopathic doctor, eventually working for him. Upon her return to health—which came about after she switched to a diet of mostly organic foods—Riesco opened up a corner store to help provide similar items to those in Albany Park.

"We add two new organic products a week," said her husband Jose, a diabetic who attributes his weight loss and healthfulness to organic foods. "Our goal is to have a fully organic store, with sandwiches, a hot bar, everything."

Julie's Organics offers wi-fi and accepts LINK. With a three-table patio out front—including a Nemo kids' table—space inside the store is tight. Six aisles are stacked top-to-bottom with all the usual delicious junk—pop, 30-cent bags of chips, Little Debbie snack cakes, Chef Boyardee—along with organic chips, dairy, produce, dry goods and even an organic sample of the week. The prices ($4 for one pound of organic sugar) are less than might be expected for a convenience store gone organic. Julie's also serves coffee and cappuccino, cigarettes and homemade soup.

"We're providing a service," Julie smiles. "The neighborhood [predominately Latino] people are slowly getting into it, which is great to see.”

Centerstage Reviewer: Robert Duffer