 
Friday, August 23, 2024 | View in browser
 Enjoy: Home Decor!
Looking for a fall refresh? With the change in season right around the corner, it's the perfect time to switch things up or add a fun, new statement piece. Whether it's sprucing up your own space or finding that unique housewarming gift, here's a few local shops to find everything you need from art to tableware to furniture.
Pink & Tan | Main-Dempster Mile: This independent design store is all about helping you live beautifully everyday. They source the very best in well-designed home essentials, meaningful décor, and unique furnishings, and curate artwork that's meant to be loved and lived with (not just an investment).
Secret Treasures Antiques + Collectibles | Main-Dempster Mile: This Evanston gem has been a staple in the community for nearly 30 years, and their goal has stayed the same - that everyone who walks in has a fun and happy experience. Stop by to visit and find all kinds of amazing finds!
Ten Thousand Villages | Downtown: At Ten Thousand Villages, shop with intention for ethically-sourced wares — and to share in the joy of empowering makers in ten thousand villages. While you're at it, have fun exploring a world of fabulous fair trade treasures and enjoy a truly unique shopping experience in our Evanston store.
Modern Vibe | Main-Dempster Mile: Modern Vibe is a vintage resale shop, located at 611 Dempster Street, specializing in mid-century modern and danish modern home furnishings.
Stumble & Relish | Main-Dempster Mile: Find lots of little things to stumble on and savor here…lovely artists, handmade goods, unique finds, vintage accents, home decor, stationery, beautiful design…and they want to share them with you! Discover sweet things to relish in pure happiness, gifts to give & something to make you smile.
Gallery 1925 | Central Street: Come explore Wilmette-based interior designer Laura Soskin's unusual collections of art, objects and accessories that she’s build up over many years. In 2021, she moved some of the best pieces into her gallery at 1925 Central Street.
Maison Du Prince | Main-Dempster Mile: With over 20 years of design industry experience, owner Ramsey Prince brings his recognizable flair to Chicago's North Shore and beyond. Located at 1239 Chicago Ave., Maison Du Prince is your premier destination for painstakingly curated collections of home accents and personal accessories sourced from around the globe.
Rebuilding Exchange | West End: Shop for your home with a greater purpose in mind! Rebuilding Exchange is a retail experience on a mission. These nonprofit stores invite the community to discover an ever-changing inventory of incredibly reasonable, often surprising, and sometimes historical building materials and appliances. From reclaimed wood and vintage fixtures to unique architectural pieces and modern appliances, their stores offer a diverse selection of items that cater to both practical needs and creative projects. They also offer a complete calendar of DIY workshops and salvage-infused experiences designed to inspire creativity, reuse, and community.
 WGN features Evanston's own Lefty's Righteous Bagels
Lefty’s Righteous Bagels, located at 827 Chicago Ave., is Chicagoland's only full-time woodfired bagel bakery, specializing in Montreal-inspired bagels. Owner Brad Nadborne shared with WGN9 the unique process behind crafting these authentic bagels. Take a look.
 MDM's Summer Send Off Block Party August 23
Say goodbye to the last days of summer by gathering in the Main-Dempster Mile on Friday, Aug. 23 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. to enjoy live music, local food and beverage, family activities and more! All gate donations will benefit Rainbows for All Children.
 Try a free dance class at Chicago Ballet Arts
Chicago Ballet Arts is offering free sample classes as part of its Preparatory Division Open House on Sat., August 31. Stop by meet our teachers, visit our space, and learn more about our dance family! Open House classes are open to both new and returning students.
9 to 9:20 a.m., Mini Movers (ages 2-3 with an adult)
9:30 to 10 a.m., Creative Movement (ages 3-4)
10 to 10:30 a.m., Ballet Beginnings (ages 4-5)
Please RSVP to save your spot for this free opportunity!
 Help us plan for the new Downtown Civic Plaza
The City of Evanston's Economic Development Division is working on an exciting new project - a new public plaza in Downtown Evanston - and we want to hear from you! Take a few minutes to complete this short survey to help us understand what you'd like to see in this space.
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
Maple/Foster
West End
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 Mina Sudsaard & Sam Rattanopas, NaKorn
Meet Mina Sudsaard & Sam Rattanopas, co-owners of NaKorn, an authentic Thai restaurant located at 1622 Orrington Ave. in Downtown Evanston. Here you will find a menu offering a perfect blend of bold flavors with traditional, old-world recipes in a modern presentation. Their commitment to food and hospitality shines through every time you visit!
Read the full interview here.
KB: Can you share some of the history of your business?
MS: My co-founder, Sam Rattanopas, and I both hail from Bangkok, and, in addition to being business partners, have been best friends since 5th grade. We immigrated to the United States together in 1996. Sam has a professional background in restaurant management with success at many top-named restaurants in Chicago. She manages the front and back of house operations, as well as personnel. I specialize in design and marketing, overseeing concepts and branding efforts for the restaurant. This is our first restaurant – indeed, our first business – together, and we look at it as our shot at the American Dream. Our hand-made décor is meant to be a nostalgic glimpse of the past, reminiscent of the 1970’s Thai shophouses – birdcage light fixtures, hand-assembled abacuses lining the bar, banquettes of custom fabrics imported from London, and a mural of Thailand’s beloved King Rama IX, all contain our blood and sweat (probably literally).
KB: What can folks expect if they come to Nakorn?
MS: If you come to NaKorn, you can expect authentic, high-quality Thai cuisine with bold flavors and fresh ingredients. We offer unique dishes, many featuring seafood, and a full-service bar with specialty drinks and local craft beers. Our cozy dining room provides a warm atmosphere, and we're open for dinner every night and lunch every day except weekends. We are closed on Tuesdays.
KB: How do you set yourself apart from other retail shops?
MS: We take a dish you can find at home and bring it into the restaurant in a different way that no one has ever seen before. The NaKorn menu provides a perfect blend of bold flavors with traditional, old-world recipes in a modern presentation. Using only the finest and freshest ingredients, our chefs have created unique dishes layered with flavors. We feature a full-service bar, with specialty drinks.
KB: How does the Downtown organization support your business?
MS: The Downtown organization has been a huge help for our business. They put on events and promotions that bring people into the area, help with marketing and advertising, and connect us with other local businesses. They also keep the downtown area clean and safe, making it a great place for everyone. But we could really use more promotion to liven things up after COVID and get more people back downtown.
KB: Is there a fun fact you can share?
MS: Our name, NaKorn, means “metropolitan” in Thai and is significant for three reasons: first, we hail from Bangkok, Thailand’s largest and most metropolitan city; second, the mix of traditional ingredients with a contemporary presentation provide an urban approach to Thai cuisine; and third, my father, Khun Sompit Rattanopas, hailed from the southern, coastal Thailand town of NaKorn Srithummaraj, and the restaurant’s name is, in part, a gesture of love and respect for him.
KB: What is your favorite thing about owning a business in Evanston?
MS: My favorite thing about running a business in Evanston is the strong sense of community. The residents here are incredibly supportive of local businesses, and there's a real emphasis on collaboration and mutual growth. We love NaKorn, our friends, family, and outstanding staff. Each day, we enjoy hearing from our customers about how much they love our food. Our customers know our staff, and our staff know our customers, which creates a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes every day special.
 What do YOU enjoy about Evanston?
With ten unique business districts, there is something for everyone to enjoy! We want to hear about your faves. Tell us about your favorite places for health and fitness, your favorite store or art gallery to explore, or your favorite place to eat! Send us an email about your favorite spots at hello@enjoyevanston.com.
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