A street passing beneath the elevated tracks in downtown Evanston. Photo: Eric Fredericks from Rancho Cordova, CA, United States / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0
Independent retailers across Evanston have lined up promotions for Small Business Saturday, the shopping day on the Saturday after Thanksgiving that encourages holiday buyers to spend at locally owned stores. This year it falls on Nov. 29.
Tree lighting and parking
Downtown Evanston’s annual Holiday Bash and Tree Lighting is scheduled for the same day, with Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, Santa, Mrs. Claus and costumed characters from the film Frozen on hand. The City of Evanston will again offer free parking in its Sherman Plaza, Church Street and Maple Avenue garages through Jan. 3: all day on weekends and after 5 p.m. on weekdays.
What merchants are offering
Deals vary by district, and the list released so far is partial.
- Chicago Avenue and Main Street: Few Spirits at 980 Chicago Ave. planned $10 distillery tours at 2, 3:30 and 5 p.m., each lasting about an hour and ending with a tasting. Hip Circle Studio planned a family dance party at 10 a.m. Virag Jewelers, Ten Thousand Villages, Guitar Works, Good’s of Evanston, Seejanesparkle and Eureka Antiques also planned discounts, gifts or refreshments.
- Central Street: Stella boutique, Walsh Natural Health, Perennials and Heaven Meets Earth Family Yoga Studio planned gifts with purchase, discounts or free yoga items.
- Downtown: Smylie Bros. Brewing Co. planned chili specials and free hot chocolate for children after the tree lighting. Envy offered a sweater and leggings promotion.
- Chicago-Dempster: Merchants including Dragonfly, Lollie, The Pony Shop, Squeezebox Books & Music, Union Pizzeria and Spex planned to hand out “Love Local” tote bags to the first 15 customers at participating shops.
Other shops around town, such as Ashley Lauren Natural Products on Church Street, planned their own sales.
For the independent shopping streets outside the downtown core, the day is a chance to compete for attention at the busiest point of the retail year.
Shoppers who want to cover more than one district can combine the day’s events. The tree lighting happens downtown in the evening, and the Evanston Chamber of Commerce plans a free holiday trolley between the shopping areas, so a visitor could start the morning at a Central Street boutique and end the night at Fountain Square.
Sources: Downtown Evanston and City of Evanston announcements.
Daniel Okafor covers business, startups and the Innovators section for The Evanston Edge.
