Green Holiday Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Helen Cameron

Helen Cameron is the Co-owner of Uncommon Ground, now two restaurants in Chicago, one in Wrigleyville, the other in Historic Edgewater. Beyond great food and great service, these restaurants are leading the way in community, local flavor (music and food), and sustainability.

RM: Tell us about your restaurants.

HC: Uncommon Ground restaurants are full service, community-oriented restaurants, featuring locally produced, sustainable and organic food and beverage, along with art galleries and live music nightly.

We are currently working at both locations to become certified with the Green Restaurant Association. Our Devon location has the first organically certified Roof Top Farm in the country that is focused on promoting organic urban agriculture, eating locally and seasonally. We also provide a weekly Farmers Market in our parking lot in the summer.

RM: How else is Uncommon Ground environmentally responsible?

HC: We look at every aspect of how we operate, and when it makes good business sense, we work to be greener in everything we do. We work to educate our staff and guests and to lead by example. We also host a monthly eco-mixer called the Green Room Sessions to provide a fun way to learn about Green issues and inspire everyone to act.

RM: How have things changed since you started in 1991?

HC: Over the past 18 years we have steadily evolved into the business we have become. We just keep asking "How can we improve?" and continually work to get better at what we do. For15 years, it was a full-on struggle, and it was because of our sheer tenacity (Helen and husband/partner Michael) and will to succeed that we have survived and grown. The biggest change for us, when we opened at 1214 West Grace St, the only employees were Mike and myself. Now we have around 150 employees working at both restaurants. It feels really great to be able to provide solid jobs in our communities.

RM: What are your goals at Uncommon Ground?

HC: To provide happiness and comfort to our guests by serving locally produced, sustainable and organic food and beverage, providing an art gallery and live music nightly.

To provide a great workplace for our staff and to educate them on the importance of improving our food chain, so they can pass the word to our guests.

To provide a community center-- a place for our neighbors to meet and come together and support each other.

To educate our community about urban agriculture and other green issues.

RM: What's next?

HC: Certification with the Green Restaurant Association, starting a 501c3, holiday preparations and setting up our New Year's Eve parties.

RM: What would you like to say about going green?

HC: Going green shouldn't be difficult and doesn't have to cost more money. If everyone chooses one simple thing to change or improve, the difference we can make is substantial. Do what you can when you can afford to do it. The important thing is to act and get involved!

Thank you Helen!

What an inspiration to business owners everywhere! You can check out the Uncommon Ground restaurants at 3800 N Clark Street and 1401 W. Devon Avenue.

Helen grew up in Chicago. She currently lives in the Lincoln Square neighborhood with her husband and business partner Michael, and their two cats and hopes one day they will have time to travel.