Thursday, July 2, 2020 | View in browser
Business Highlights
 The Wine Goddess Serving Up Frose at the New "Custer Oasis"
The Wine Goddess owner Diana talks to us about her store, the safety measures they have implemented and serving drinks at the "Custer Oasis," where they share outdoor dining space on Custer Street with La Principal and Trattoria D.O.C. Located at 702 Main St., they are also open for curbside pickup and delivery. Stop by and enjoy a glass of wine or frozen beverage today!
 Sketchbook Brewing Beer Garden Now Open
Sketchbook Brewing Company's first ever beer garden, located at Chicago & Kedzie, is now open Thursday through Sundays from 3 to 8 p.m., weather permitting. Seating is first-come, first-served but reservations are also available. Enjoy some time in the fresh air with your favorite brews this weekend!
 Central Street Sidewalk Sale July 7-11
Enjoy deals at your favorite stores during the Central Street Business Association's Annual Summer Sidewalk Sale taking place July 7-11. This year, they are taking extra precautions to ensure everyone's safety, including extra shopping days, bigger spacing between tables and racks, and frequent cleaning and disinfecting.
Going Digital Webinar Series Survey
The City of Evanston is looking to organize a series of webinars and Q&A sessions with digital experts to help businesses adapt to the challenges brought on by COVID-19. Topics would include getting started online, setting up e-commerce platforms, digital marketing, content design and organization, and online ordering systems for food businesses.
We want to hear your feedback and suggestions on the topics you would like to hear about and what would be the most helpful. If you are interested in participating, please take a moment to complete this short survey to help guide this program.
Sidewalk Space Now Available to Retailers
The City of Evanston will now permit Retail stores will now be permitted to utilize the sidewalk space outside their store to display inventory. A six-foot public right-of-way must be maintained to accommodate pedestrians and meet ADA guidelines.
Requests can be emailed to Katie Boden at kboden@cityofevanston.org with a plan for the sales area, including anticipated days and hours of operation, and a Certificate of Insurance listing the City of Evanston as additionally insured for the use of the public space.
Loans for Businesses Damaged by Civil Unrest
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved the state’s request for federal assistance to help businesses in the northern Illinois counties of Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will.
Business Physical Disaster Loans
Loans to businesses to repair or replace disaster-damaged property owned by the business, including real estate, inventories, supplies, machinery and equipment. Businesses of any size are eligible. Private, non-profit organizations such as charities, churches, private universities, etc. are also eligible.
Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL)
Working capital loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private, non-profit organizations of all sizes meet their ordinary and necessary financial obligations that cannot be met as a direct result of the civil unrest. These loans are intended to assist through the disaster recovery period.
Businesses can access additional information here and apply for loans online here.
 Youth Month for Financial Wellness Webinars
First Northern Credit Union hosts free weekly Financial Wellness webinars each month, and July is focused on youth financial awareness. All webinars are held on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. Register through links below.
July 8 - Money Skills: Preparing For Financial Independence
July 15 - Eight Steps to Financial Success
July 22 - Start Being Money Smart
July 29 - Credit Matters
August 5 - Paying For College
For more information and to see previously recorded webinars, please visit fncu.org/evanston. Additional financial resources are also available at https://evanston.balancepro.org/.
 The Big Picture: A Mural Treasure Hunt!
Looking for a creative, free artsy outdoor activity this summer? The Big Picture, Art Encounter's mural treasure hunt, is an adventure for all ages! Follow the google map across 17 Evanston murals while answering fun questions and following prompts. Submit by August 30 for a chance to win gift cards and other prizes from Blick Art Materials.
Share your photos on social media using hashtag #TheBigPictureEvanston
Support The Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse
The Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse has launched their first ever crowdfunding campaign to help move them into a larger location this fall. Donate today and help them continue their mission of promoting environmental sustainability and a culture of reuse and repair, while creating access to building trades careers. Every dollar you give will be matched up to $25,000!
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