Friday, November 10, 2023 | View in browser
 Central Street to kick off Holidays
Join Central Street Evanston for their Holiday Stroll and Tree Lighting on Nov. 11 to kick off the holidays! You can see Santa and his elves beginning at 2 pm, followed by carolers, shopping and dining promotions. The tree lighting at Independence Park will be at 5 p.m.
 Holiday Parking: Free for 2023!
The City is making local holiday shopping easier this year by offering a “Holiday Parking: Free for 2023” promotion. Community members and visitors to Evanston’s business districts will enjoy up to two hours of free parking daily from November 22, 2023, through January 1, 2024.
How to get free parking: Users can simply enter the code "Holiday2023" while using the Park Evanston app to access two hours of free street parking. This offer is valid for app users once per day per account.
Small Business Saturday
Mark your calendars and save the date for Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25 with Downtown Evanston. Shop BIG at your local shops this holiday season supporting independent retailers and restaurants. Use the Downtown Evanston Shopping Passport as a guide to local shopping. Enjoy this event and others during the season!
Businesses in the News
 Evanston restaurant makes the list
Estacion, located at 633 W. Howard St., is one of the hottest restaurants out right now according to Chicago Magazine's List. The critic loved dishes like the short rib sancocho and Saturday night jibaritos. Make your plans to experience this great restaurant as well.
Upcoming Local Events
 Come out and meet the Heartwood Community on December 2 beginning at 12 p.m. Enjoy an afternoon of healing as you meet their practitioners and teachers at the Holiday Open House!
Squeezebox, located at 743 Main St, will open at 10am for Record Store Day on Black Friday Nov 24! Over 100 limited edition records in all genres from many artists like Joni Mitchell, De La Soul, Chet Baker, Bill Evans, Jerry Garcia and more.
The Lakeshore Aikido Club invites you all to join classes for beginners and advanced practitioners alike every Monday and Wednesday at 7:15 p.m.at the Heartwood Center. Registrations are open online with modest dues and various offers and deals. Regular practice of Aikido also improves mental wellbeing including relaxation, focus, self-confidence, and awareness. Learn more!
City Initiatives
 Liquor Control Review Board to Meet on December 8
The Evanston Liquor Control Review Board will meet on Friday, December 8, at 1 p.m. An agenda and staff report will be posted closer to the meeting date on the Liquor Control Review Board website.
Please plan to attend the meeting live at the Morton Civic Center at 2100 Ridge Ave, or via Zoom:
 City Grants Grace Period for Fair Workweek Ordinance
Evanston has extended a grace period for employers to adjust to the requirements of the newly enacted Fair Workweek Ordinance (24-O-23). This ordinance, designed to enhance employee well-being and work-life balance, will be enforced beginning January 1, 2024. Read the press release.
 Plastic Bag Ban Ordinance Update
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, went into effect on August 1, 2023 and enforcement will begin January 1, 2024. For more information, visit cityofevanston.org/plasticbagban.
 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
- Submissions must be events. We don't promote sales or individual business advertisement
- Submissions must include a flyer and website where interested residents can get more information
Send your submissions to economicdevelopment@cityofevanston.org with "For Newsletter" in the subject and we will reach out if we have any questions.
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 for 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.
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