Enjoy Evanston

09/02/2026

We are hosting a promotion throughout September to support Evanston's legacy businesses. Residents who spend a combined $250 or more at participating Legacy businesses during the month will be eligible to receive a $50 Evanston Gift Card.
Here's how to participate:
Complete our form and upload copies of your receipts totaling $250+ from any of the Legacy businesses listed at evanstonlegacybusiness.com.

07/24/2026

Meet Space to Place: a City of Evanston initiative to activate vacant ground-floor commercial spaces by giving local entrepreneurs a structured, low-risk pathway to test and grow their businesses! A new shared marketplace retail incubator is coming to Downtown Evanston this October — built directly on input from 100+ Evanston business owners. Applications are officially open!

Test your business in a physical retail environment with:
• A dedicated retail footprint in a shared marketplace location
• Subsidized rent, plus financial assistance available for income-qualifying applicants
• Shared POS system + City marketing support
Business training, mentorship, and an expert roster (licensing, brand, finance, and more)
• A pathway towards permanent tenancy in Evanston
• Priority access if you're woman-, minority-, LGBTQ+-, or veteran-owned

You might be a good fit if you're an Evanston-based retail or packaged food & beverage business already up and running — online, at markets, from home, or in shared space — and ready to test a retail space this fall!

Applications open now through August 5! English + Spanish versions available: https://www.cityofevanston.org/business/retail_incubator___pop-up_program.php

07/21/2026

Couldn't be more excited for Alleyway Grill to open in Downtown Evanston!

Sign says "Coming Soon"

05/13/2026

Something exciting is coming to downtown Evanston this October, and your voice will help shape it from the start! 💡

Do you own a business in Evanston? Are you a shop owner, maker, or designer selling online, at markets, or out of your home? The City is launching a Pop-Up + Incubator Pilot Program built with you in mind, offering subsidized short-term storefronts, business training, mentorship, and a real pathway toward permanent tenancy in Evanston.

Whether you're dreaming of your first storefront, ready to test a new concept, or looking to take your next big step, we’d love to hear from you! Take our short survey open through May 29. Your responses will directly help shape how the program is built.

ENGLISH: https://bit.ly/pop-up-business
ESPAÑOL: https://bit.ly/pop-up-business-es

02/25/2026

Shout out to Renee Feldman Studio in the Ashland Arts Business District for being voted best salon in 2026! Congrats and well deserved! Renee Feldman Weddings

Residents voted the Renee Feldman Studio Evanston’s Best Salon for 2026. The Daily talked to the salon’s owner and a few regular clients about what makes the business a cut above the rest. RUBY DOWLING: On a Friday morning in February, Evanston’s Ashland Arts business district is waking up. Bi...

02/13/2026

Looking for unique Valentine Gift Ideas? Find something gorgeous from Accents Plus. The store is choc full of original items like clothings, bags, jewelry and can we talk about those scarves!? Also, The Mexican Shop in the The Main-Dempster Mile is a must-go. Originality is their brand identity and you are sure to find a unique item here.

Find more one-of-a-kind items at Artem Pop Up Gallery, with a well curated selection from multiple artists. Or visit Cultivate Urban Rainforest & Gallery - houseplants make perfect gifts! Gift your reader a page-turner at Bookends & Beginnings, and top it all off with delicious chocolates from Belgian Chocolatier Piron, Inc..