It is one of the oldest and most successful co-ops[citation needed] in Chicago[1] and its facilities include classrooms for arts education, a gallery, an artist residency program, studio spaces, and a community outreach program.

The center began as a ceramics studio in a renovated horse barn on Lillstreet in 1975, by clay salesman, Bruce Robbins.

[2] It quickly outgrew its space and, in 2003, Lillstreet relocated to a former gear factory on Ravenswood Avenue, increasing its space from 12,000 sq ft (1,100 m2) to 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2).

[3] The new facility has added metalsmithing & jewelry, painting & drawing, printmaking, textiles, glass, and digital arts & photography.

[3] First Slice also benefits from the annual Empty Bowls event which is hosted at Lillstreet and supported by Lillstreet potters who contribute bowls to the event.