Heartwood

January 2026

Starting the new year learning about Aikido

Heartwood set to close on neighboring property, raising funds for ‘scaled back’ restaurant

December 2025

October 24, 2025

We are very happy to announce that Heartwood is under contract for the purchase of the property next door and that Popeyes has withdrawn their application for a restaurant at that location. We look forward to bringing you the delicious healthy food from Gabi Walker-Aguilar and Chef Byron Glapion of 4 Suns restaurant who will create their beautiful cafe and gift shop in the building. As you may know Gabi was born and raised in the neighborhood and Chef Byron comes from New Orleans and together they will offer healthy and delicious Creole and Caribbean food for our community. None of this would be possible without your support and we are very grateful for every petition you signed, letter you wrote, money you donated and rally you attended. This was a true grassroots community effort. Well done Heartwood community!

Popeyes plan scrapped as Heartwood eyes property purchase – Evanston RoundTable

Popeyes pulls application, Heartwood to buy Dempster building – Evanston Now

Flown the coop: Popeyes franchisee pulls application, Heartwood ‘under contract’ to buy building

September 26, 2025

I am overjoyed to announce that after a 4 hour meeting on Wednesday night, the Land Use Commission voted unanimously to deny Popeyes and in favor of Heartwood. We filled the room with over 75 Heartwood supporters and had over 40 speakers. I have included some local press articles at the bottom of this message. I am so very grateful to all of you for your many letters, for attending our rally, for your financial donations to help pay our attorney fees, and for coming to the meeting last night and for speaking so beautifully from your hearts. I have been told that our community efforts and show of support made all the difference with the commissioners. I have to say that in my 28 years of directing Heartwood I have never felt so proud and in awe of our community. Your words and presence last night touched me deeply and I am filled with gratitude today.

Land Use Commission says ‘no’ to Popeyes – Evanston Now

Popeyes plan for Evanston location unanimously rejected – Evanston RoundTable

Land Use Commission unanimously rebuts Popeyes permit

September 15, 2025

Thank you for all of the support you have given in our process with saying no to Popeyes and we are happy to announce that we won round one because you all generated over 300 letters sent to City Council, staff and the Mayor. We now have a fair and legal process and we go to the Land Use Commission on September 24 at 7 pm at City Hall. We hope that as many of you as possible will join us there in person as we present our case. We encourage you to submit public comment now and have information below on how to do this. We need the LUC to receive hundreds of public comments beginning now and we need to also fill the room on September 24th and have as many speakers as possible. Please share this flyer with your social media and lists and help us let the Land Use Commission know that Popeyes does not meet the standards for approval and must be denied.

June 22, 2019

Heartwood celebrated their 20th Anniversary in Evanston on Saturday, June 22, 2019 with a free community party, outside of Heartwood’s facility.

Nancy Floy is the founder and director of Heartwood Integrative Health and Healing,  founder of the Heartwood Cancer Program and the Osel Ling Meditation Center.  Her vision, 20 years ago, was to create a refuge and sanctuary where people of all walks of life could come together in community to learn and grow and heal.

A few practitioners contributed their stories over the years to the Heartwood blog. To read their stories, click here.

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