Friday, July 21, 2023 | View in browser
 It's Sidewalk Sale Weekend!
Shop until you drop this weekend during sidewalk sales happening across Evanston business districts. Let’s show our local businesses some love.
The Main-Dempster Mile: Shop participating businesses along the Main-Dempster Mile on Sat., July 22 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Enjoy sidewalk sales, free activities and more! Download the map to participate in the fun.
Downtown Evanston: Downtown Evanston will host its annual Sidewalk Sale + Chalk Art Contest this weekend, where stores throughout downtown offer awesome deals at racks and tables on the sidewalks. On Saturday, artists of all ages will also create chalk art outside of local businesses.
Central Street: Head to Central Street through Sunday for the biggest sales of the year! Shop outside tables and racks filled with discounts, grab local eats, and enjoy activities and entertainment.
The August Thursday Night Market
Downtown Evanston invites you all to join them Thurs., Aug 3 for the Thursday Night Market. Attendees can experience live music, shop with over 30 vendors, and enjoy spirits. Learn more about the Thursday Night Market.
 Webinar: Growing Your Brand
The Illinois Restaurant Association presents another informative, exciting webinar. On Thurs., July 27 at 10 a.m., join Turnkey Hospitality and Kinship for new tricks to market your brand. Register today!
 2023 Source Grant
The Cook County Small Business Source is excited to announce the launch of The 2023 Source Grant, which provides $40 million in grants to small businesses to help stabilize operations, foster recovery and resiliency, and advance equity. Applications are now open! Visit the 2023 Source Grant website for more information: cookcountysmallbiz.org/sourcegrant
 Small Business Growth Fund Grants Available
The Small Business Growth fund supporting unique entrepreneurial efforts returns! The Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) with funding from Etsy and Progressive, provides small business owners the capital they need to make their next move. To apply for a grant between $5,000 to $25,000, review the information on their website.
Businesses in the News
 New Latin American Restaurants in Evanston
The City has seen several new restaurants offering Mexican cuisine open up this year. If you enjoy Latin American food and drinks, plan to give these new local restaurants a chance and read more about this critics' favorite menu items from the restaurants below.
Upcoming Local Business Events
 Passing Strange's Last Run!
Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, located at 721 Howard Street, invites you to the last run and chance to experience Passing Strange playing through July 30. The show is loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, the show takes us from Black middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity. Go to their website for more information and tickets.
City Initiatives
 Plastic Bag Ban begins August 1
In an effort to reduce plastic waste and encourage behavioral change throughout the city, the Evanston City Council voted on May 22 to approve a complete ban on plastic bags in all city businesses and impose a $0.10 tax on remaining bag types at large retail stores. The “Retail Single Use Bag Tax”, also known as Ordinance 1-O-23, will go into effect on August 1, 2023.
For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/plasticbagban or please call 847-448-4311.
 Sustain Evanston Program Launch!
In honor of Earth Day, the City launched its reimagined Sustain Evanston Business Incentive Program on Sat., April 22. The program provides a funding tool to assist small business and commercial property owners in implementing sustainability measures that align with the goals of the City's Climate Action & Resilience Plan (CARP).
Grants of up to $25,000 will support sustainability-related projects, including, but not limited to waste management, energy, water, and green infrastructure. Applications will be open through August 31. Apply today!
 Submit your Events for our Economic Development Newsletter!
Are you a registered Evanston based business with an upcoming event? We'd like to help you promote it! We can add your event to our weekly newsletter. See the eligibility requirements for events below:
- Your business must be located in Evanston and registered. If you're not registered, complete your business registration application
- Submission must be an event. We don't promote sales or individual business advertisement
- Submission must include a flyer and website where interested residents can get more information
Send your submission to economicdevelopment@cityofevanston.org with "For Newsletter" in the subject and we will reach out if we have any questions about your event.
Do business with the City of Evanston
Interested in doing business with the City of Evanston? Visit our bids and proposals page to see current Bids, Request for Proposals (RFP) and Request for Qualifications (RFQ).
Contact the project Purchasing Specialist via email with questions pertaining to the project of interest. Specialist email contact information can be found in the Bid "Questions" or RFP/Q "Questions Regarding RFP/Q" section of the related document; or contact purchasing@cityofevanston.org.
|
