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 Celebrate Earth Day with Evanston businesses!
 Blossoming in Evanston: Meet Joanne Leiman!
Spring has sprung, and Evanston is in full bloom! In celebration of the season, we stopped by FlowersFlowers, a legacy business located at 1110 Davis Street, to talk with owner Joanne Leiman. Learn more about Joanne, her business, and her journey!
See below for upcoming events and start planning your weekends! You can find the full calendar of events on the Enjoy Evanston website.
Downtown Evanston
Main-Dempster Mile
Central Street
Ashland Arts
Church & Dodge
West End
West Village
Other Enjoy Evanston events
Have a upcoming event?
Help us add to our calendar! We encourage you to submit all your upcoming events through our website.
Please review the following submission guidelines:
- Only public events may be listed
- Cannot be solely retail in nature
- Cannot be solely religious or political in nature
- Cannot be solely fundraisers or networking events
- Should be leisure time or recreational activities
Event eligibility is also evaluated on a case-by-case basis. At this time, we are only able to accept event listings in English.
Meet Sandy Lewis Kediri of Studio SLK! Her salon has been a staple of the Maple/Foster business district over 10 years. They are a high-end salon that offers a wide array of services and are dedicated to providing a hair retreat where beauty and wellness walk hand in hand for the modern multicultural man and woman. See the full interview below!
KB: You’ve been operating in Evanston for over a decade. Can you share some of the history of your business?
SLK: Studio SLK Hair/Nail Salon is a service-based business that’s been serving the Evanston community since March 3, 2012. I established the business when, after years of being in the beauty industry, I decided to act upon my goal of opening my own salon. I graduated from Grambling State University, where I worked at the local health department as well a local salon.
Studio SLK offers self-care services to help guests look and feel their best. Though the salon primarily caters to professional women, it also offers services for men, local students, and children. Along with taking care of beauty needs, the salon has had the opportunity to support local organizations through donations, panels, workshops, and is looking forward to additional future partnerships. The business has also provided jobs for the youth through the Mayor's summer job program. Additionally, the salon hosts pop-up shops for entrepreneurs whose businesses are not brick and mortar in order for them to showcase and sell their products.
KB: How does the community around the Maple/Foster district support your business?
SLK: Being in the Maple/Foster district just north of downtown Evanston has allowed for easy accessibility for Studio SLK’s guests. The area is not often congested, which means that parking is usually not a problem depending on the time of day. Having the Purple line, bus station, and Metra station within walking distance is also a huge plus, though most of our guests live outside of the business district. With the university close by, the students that we service are able to walk to the establishment.
KB: What can folks expect if they come to Studio SLK for services?
SLK: Upon entering the business, one is greeted by a staff member in a warm, calming, and, relaxing atmosphere. Guests should expect to be pampered from the beginning to the end of their service by our friendly, knowledgeable, and skilled staff. They will also find quality products and personalized recommendations tailored to their needs.
KB: How do you set yourself apart?
SLK: Studio SLK differs from its counterparts because of its inclusive environment and commitment to ensuring that each guest experience is memorable.
KB: Any specials or services you’d like people to be aware of?
SLK: Studio SLK offers a variety of services which include a silk press for textured hair, loc maintenance, straightening and smoothing treatments, color, extensions, manicures, and pedicures.
KB: What is your favorite thing about owning a business in Evanston?
SLK: Opening a business in Evanston was fulfilling because after relocating to the area during my formative years, it's a place that I called HOME. Having the support of family and friends has made this undertaking a rewarding experience.
Owning a business in and of itself is an amazing experience though it comes with its challenges. Being able to give those in the beauty industry access to a place to work while developing their skills has been rewarding. Being able to service people of all backgrounds has given me a different perspective.
 Get to know West Village!
The West Village business district is a unique arts and wellness enclave of small artisanal shops, artist studios, and galleries anchored by Heartwood Center, the Midwest’s oldest holistic healthcare center. Joining the West Village recently is Zentli, a Mexican restaurant aiming to heal the community through incredible Mexican street food and incredible art.
Once a Polish meat shop, 1100 Florence Gallery now hosts Joanna Kramer Ceramics, anchoring the Greenleaf & Florence art galleries and studios, which have made this neighborhood district a draw for both locals and visitors.
 Church & Dodge, photo credit: Becca Heuer
Did you know?
The streets around the Church & Dodge business district were named after some pretty cool people! Some examples include:
- Dewey Street is named for the Dewey sisters, Electa E. Dewey and Mary J. Dewey
- Darrow is named after a Black Mason from Chicago
- Simpson Street is named after Matthew Simpson, a confidant of President Abraham Lincoln
- Emerson Street is named after early Evanston resident, Benjamin Emerson, the first professional milkman of Chicago in 1835
Additionally, there are some honorary street names along Dodge, including Shorefront Legacy Center's Dino Robinson; Samuel Johnson, a long-time community leader and owner of Church Street Barber Shop; and Tina Lifford, na Evanston. native and actress who has starred in over 100 TV shows and movies.
Next time you drive around Church & Dodge, you can experience a bit of history... the more you know!
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