Why it belongs in ORBIS
Novelty spy-gear storefront at 1276 N Milwaukee Ave in Wicker Park that funds 826CHI, the Chicago chapter of the youth creative-writing nonprofit 826 National, founded by Dave Eggers.
Wicker Park Secret Agent Supply Co. is the retail front for 826CHI, the Chicago chapter of 826 National, the youth creative-writing and tutoring nonprofit co-founded in 2002 by author Dave Eggers and educator Ninive Clements Calegari. Located at 1276 N Milwaukee Ave, the shop's shelves are stocked with tongue-in-cheek spy gear - shaving-cream cans with false bottoms, fake security cameras, tuxedo phone cases - alongside stationery, games, and gadgets, plus published writing produced by students in 826CHI's programs. Every purchase supports the nonprofit's free tutoring, writing workshops, and publishing programs for Chicago youth, following the same disguised-storefront model as the original 826 Valencia pirate-supply store in San Francisco.