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December 1, 2022

Beautification Award Recipient:

Hillco Properties' "Shop the Block on Central" Businesses

Congratulations to the Hillco Properties' "Shop the Block on Central" businesses: Beanstalk, Sprout Kids, Wild Willow, Harper & Ash, Central Cafe, Central Boutique, and Central for Men, which were honored with the City's Beautification Award at the Monday, November 28 City Council meeting! The Beautification Award recognizes businesses that have enhanced their storefronts and created a welcoming atmosphere that invites and attracts prospective customers with pleasing aesthetics. Their beautiful window displays change seasonally with creative decor and presentation of merchandise created by Aimee Bartlett. From dressing mannequins to weaving yarn, Aimee creates displays that are truly works of art that enhance our community all year long. Congratulations!

At the Monday, November 28 meeting, City Council also celebrated milestone anniversaries for North Shore Shell and North Shore Shell Service, with 50 years of service, and 75 years in business for Trans World Travel. City Council honors businesses for their longevity at 50 years and then every 25 years after that. Congratulations to all!

The City encourages business owners and managers to share information regarding upcoming events, promotions or news for possible inclusion in the City's marketing modalities, including The Weekender, Enjoy Highland Park, and social media. Please send these items to the City via email to: businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com. With the departure of Melissa Rosen, who will be missed as she embarks on an exciting new role, and the addition of new staff members, this new email address will be the best way to share this information moving forward.

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com.

Questions regarding enjoyhighlandpark.com should continue to be addressed to Amanda Civitello, Communications Manager, at acivitello@cityhpil.com.

On Wednesday, November 30, the City issued a Business Alert apprising business owners and managers of a scam targeting Highland Park businesses.

The City was made aware that scammers are pretending to represent a fictitious “Highland Park Award Program,” claiming that the business has been selected as a winner and offering the opportunity to purchase an award. The scam claims that revenue from this fake program funds “local business support and partnership programs.” This is false.

Because of the title of this fake program, it may appear to recipients that this is an initiative of the City of Highland Park. The City of Highland Park is not affiliated in any way with this scam. Although the City does sponsor a community awards program, the City does not charge businesses for their recognition with either the Beautification or Business Recognition awards. The City of Highland Park will not email, call, or text you to purchase an award.

If you believe you have been the victim of a scam, please contact the City of Highland Park public safety non-emergency line at 847.432.7730 for assistance. Scams may also be reported to the Illinois Attorney General.

The City of Highland Park is pleased to present the Heart of the Holidays, created to attract residents and visitors to downtown Highland Park to shop, dine, and use services.

Visit enjoyhighlandpark.com for updates and event information.

The City of Highland Park encourages residents and visitors to shop and dine locally this holiday season with extended parking hour until Monday, January 2, 2023

Parking restrictions will be suspended at all municipal parking lots. There will be no time limit enforced at these public lots. Disabled parking, fire hydrant zones, loading zones, and on-street customer-only parking will still be in effect. Permit parking still remains in effect during these parking holidays. Employee parking restrictions will also be strictly enforced.

Be sure to share this information with your customers via social media!

A list of available on- and off-street parking lots and garages can be found at www.cityhpil.com/parking. Additionally, a complete list of Highland Park retail and restaurant locations can be found at Enjoy Highland Park. 

For more information, please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000.

• Outdoor dining season has concluded. All outdoor dining furniture must be removed from the public right of way.
• City-wide winter parking regulations are in effect from December 1, 2022 through March 31, 2023. Vehicles may not be parked longer than 15 minutes on any public streets between 2:00 - 6:00 AM, regardless of weather conditions.
• 2023 business registration materials have been mailed and should be returned to the City by December 31, 2022 to avoid increased fees.

The City of Highland Park recognizes the importance of independent merchants to the City’s image and tax base. The goal of the Small Business Facade Improvement Program (SBFIP) is to provide both assistance and incentive to property owners and local businesses to improve the look and functionality of their property and place of business. The SBFIP is available for use by small business operators and commercial property owners citywide.

SCORE offers in-person or virtual sessions using phone, email, or video

All sessions are free and confidential. SCORE mentors are successful business professionals, some retired, some working, from all industries and experiences.

Visit northchicago.score.org and register to “Find a

Mentor”. You will be asked to provide the nature of your business interest.

Please include whether you prefer in-person or virtual mentoring (phone,

email, video) and note the Highland Park Public Library even

if you prefer a virtual session.

Update Your Business Plan to Grow Your Business!

Meet With A Small Business Advisor Through SBDC Illinois

Illinois Small Business Development & International Trade Center offers confidential, no-cost, one-on-one virtual advising sessions.

To schedule a meeting click HERE

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact the City's Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com.

This newsletter is produced by the City of Highland Park's Office of Business Development. If you have information you would like to include in this weekly mailing, please submit information, photos, and news to businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com. The City reserves the right to edit and/or filter submissions.