The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club (ONIAC) was founded in 1981 as a 501 (c) 7 (social club) not for profit organization. Thirty men donated $100.00 each to get the club started. They rented a storefront at the corner of 26^th and Princeton. The ONIAC was originally formed to bring friends and neighbors together socially who resided in and/or had moved from the Armour Square, Bridgeport, and Chinatown communities.

The ONIAC currently consists of 450 male members. Although its name “The Old Neighborhood Italian American Club” implies a defined area and ethnicity it includes members from all ethnic backgrounds located largely throughout the metropolitan Chicago area as well as 7 different states.

As the ONIAC grew in size, the members of this organization saw a need for bigger accommodations. In 1991 construction was completed of an impressive 19,000 square foot building with an adjacent parking lot. Its new home is now located at 3031 South Shields Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.

In 1996 they applied for and received “ONIAC Foundation” a not for profit 501(c) 3 (charitable organization) status.