5th Ward Merchant Workshop
 Alderman Rue Simmons invites the storefront merchants of the 5th Ward to attend a free merchant workshop, exclusively for the 5th Ward, hosted by City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz.
In addition to the opportunity to discuss issues impacting your business, Annie Coakley from Downtown Evanston and Katherine Gotsick of the Main Dempster Mile will share best practices in merchant district management.
The event will be held May 31, 2019, from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Lorraine H. Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave, Parasol Room, 4th Floor.
Mother's Day Events Around Town
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Good to Go Jamaican Cuisine will be hosting a Mother's Day Brunch & Jazz on Sun., May 12, with music starting at 3 p.m. An all day $50 packages includes an appetizer, entrée, dessert, and bottomless mimosas. |
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Terra & Vine will be offering a 3 course prix-fixe brunch menu for Mother's Day on Sun., May 12. View the menu here. Make your reservations now! |
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Peckish Pig will be hosting a Mother's Day Weekend Afternoon Tea Sat., May 11, from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., featuring mini sandwiches, quiche, pastries, and more! Buy tickets here. |
"Connect with Customers" Event May 8
 Evanston Community Bank & Trust is hosting a free workshop "Three Ways to Create an Immediate Connection with Customers" Wed., May 8, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., led by speaker Lynne Franklin, President, National Speakers Association Illinois Chapter.
Please RSVP by May 1 to Sandra Ross at sross@wintrust.com or 847-920-3105.
Women Speak: An Evening of Empowerment
 Victoria Reeves will regale you with true tales that deconstruct paradigms and question basically everything. Featuring local story Queens and CommUnity Dance Party featuring ETHS Alum DJ Johnny Price. Sun., May 5, 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church St.
Evanston Craft Crawl May 16
 Celebrate Evanston's neighborhood brewery and distilleries by stopping into local shops for tastings of Sketchbook beer, Few Spirits cocktails, and Kombucha Brava kombucha!
Tickets are available now.
Screen-Free Week April 29 - May 5
 Connect with downtown Evanston businesses and community organizations at special activities and events for Screen Free Week, April 29 to May 5. Several businesses are hosting in-store workshops, storytimes, crafts and more!
'Up From Down Home' Exhibit by Artist Jevoid Simmons April 18 through October 18, 2019
 The "Up From Down Home" exhibit is now displaying at the Morton Civic Center, 2100 Ridge Ave., Parasol Room, 4th Floor. This is a collection of paintings which support the written narrative of the Simmons family's migration out of rural Alabama in the early 1950's, as well as the artist's wooden carvings of friends, family, and acquaintances.
There will be an opening reception Friday, May 10, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Morton Civic Center, Parasol Room, 4th Floor.
Evanston Literary Fest May 11-13
 The Evanston Literary Fest returns for its fifth editions with events at venues throughout downtown Evanston from May 11 to May 19.
Chicago's North Shore Annual Tourism Luncheon
 To celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, the Chicago's North Shore Convention and Visitors Bureau is hosting a luncheon on Thurs., May 9, 11 a.m to 1:30 p.m., at the Tree Top at Ravinia Festival, 418 Sheridan Rd., Highland Park, IL.
First Saturday Art Events May 4
Celebrate and elevate the visual arts in Evanston, attend First Saturday Art Events on Sat., May 4, 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Jazz Night at Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center
 Head out to Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center, 1823 Church Street, on Fri., May 10 at 7:30 p.m. for an evening of live music with the Chris Greene Quarter, a highly visible part of Chicago's jazz scene since 2005.
Tickets now available.
Request for Letters of Intent
 The City is seeking proposals for an experienced food establishment operator to lease, equip and fully operate the cafe located at 1823 Church St., in the Gibbs-Morrison Cultural Center. This city-owned building, just northeast of Evanston Township High School, is used by the City of Evanston’s Parks, Recreation and Community Services department for programs focused on culture, education, health/wellness and outreach.
Rhaeos, BrewBike win Pitch Competition
 Two Northwestern startups, Rhaeos - a medical device company and BrewBike - a 2015 student-founded start-up, were awarded a combined total of over $500,000 in the Rice Business Plan Competition earlier this month.
Walsh Natural Health Celebrates 25 Years!
 This May marks the 25th anniversary for Walsh Natural Health. To celebrate this milestone, Walsh announces its 25th Anniversary Sale from May 3 through May 5.
Evanston-based FRÍO Gelato Announces New Location In Chicago's Navy Pier
 Evanston-based Argentine-style gelato producer, FRÍO Gelato, announces the opening of the company's fourth Chicagoland location at Navy Pier. The new location at 600 E Grand Avenue will open Fri., May 3. Congrats!
2019 Parking Lot Improvement Project
 The City will be contracting parking lot improvements over the next three months at Parking Lot #51 - Tallmadge Park and 717 Howard Street. The project is anticipated to start this week and be completed by the end of July. Work at each location is expected to last approximately six weeks.
Gyros Planet Opens Under New Management
 Congrats to Gyros Planet, 1903 Church St., on their grand opening last Friday! Stop by and check out their delicious menu!
Business Resources
Evanston Commercial/Industrial Assessment Increase Video Recap
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For those who could not make the meeting, here is the live video of the The Cook County Assessor's office open Q&A forum, about the commercial/industrial assessment increase in Evanston..
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Employer Credit for Paid Family and Medical Leave
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If you provide paid family leave and medical leave for your employees, you may be eligible for a tax credit. For more information, click below. |
Harper College and the Illinois Small Business Administration
The Illinois Small Business Development Center at Harper College provides no-cost confidential consulting for small and home-based businesses. Schedule an appointment to receive expert help an advisor. The Illinois SBDC has also partnered with local firms in Law, Accounting/Tax and Prototyping to offer you free expert help.
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SCORE at the Evanston Public Library
Let a SCORE mentor work with you one-on-one to help with your business challenges. Register in advance at https://northchicago.score.org or by calling 224-372-3432. Mentoring is available on Wednesday afternoons and Thursday evenings at the Main Library, 1703 Orrington Ave., West Conference Room.
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