View as Webpage

July 26, 2023

The City is currently seeking nominations for the 2023 Business Beautification Awards. The Award recognizes businesses that have enhanced their storefronts and created a welcoming atmosphere that invites and attracts prospective customers with pleasing aesthetics. Award recipients go above and beyond to improve the visual appeal of their property and serve as an example to all businesses and property owners within Highland Park to remain committed to beautifying our community.

Award recipients will be granted a Mayoral certificate and a digital badge for use on the business website and Facebook. In addition, recipients will receive public recognition at a City Council Meeting, on the Central Avenue digital kiosks, in The Highlander, City e-News, and on the City’s website and social media platforms.         

Nominations are due by September 1 and may be submitted via this form on the City's website. For questions, please contact ashaffer@cityhpil.com.

(Pictured above is last year's winner, Hillco-owned businesses.)

Are you offering Ravinia Specials or Ravinia Boxes To Go for Ravinia patrons? Let us know, and we'll help spread the word. Please email ashaffer@cityhpil.com with any details. (Featured in this photo, a signature salad to go from Maddie's Market.)

Discover small business grants for every stage of your small business adventure, recommended based on your unique profile and delivered to your inbox weekly. The search for free money doesn't get any easier! In partnership with the Global Entrepreneurship Network (GEN) and with funding from Etsy and Progressive, Hello Alice is a free online platform that helps businesses launch and grow through every step of their entrepreneurial journey. The Small Business Growth Fund provides small business owners with knowledge, funding, networking opportunities, and peer-to-peer connections with more than one million small business owners. 

Learn about Hello Alice funding opportunities.

The City of Highland Park, in partnership with Bensidoun USA, presents a weekly Artisan Market featuring fresh fruit and vegetables, baked goods, pet treats, crafts, live music, and more. The Artisan Market runs every Sunday through Sept. 24, from 10 AM - 3 PM at The Lot.

Look for a special pop-up vendor table from the City and the Lakota Group to share your thoughts about The Lot!

If you are interested in participating in the Artisan Market as a vendor, Bensidoun USA’s application and vendor requirements can be found here.

Food Truck Thursdays continues, featuring Abigail’s and Ravinia Brewing Co., and over a dozen rotating food vendors and food trucks and live music. Food Truck Thursday takes place in the Ravinia District weekly through September 28, 4:30 PM til dusk. This week enjoy Noah’s Jam Jam Bourrée- Children’s Entertainers and Dime Store String Band – Bluegrass music.

Look for a special pop-up vendor table from the City and the Lakota Group to share your thoughts about The Lot!

If you are interested in participating as a food vendor, please contact Leslie Cahill, General Manager of The French Market/Bensidoun at: lcahill90@gmail.com.

Let's celebrate! It’s the 45th season of the Ravinia Farmers Market and the 25th anniversary of the Ravinia Neighborhood Association’s. On Wednesday, August 9, join us for a day of festivities from 7am – 8pm in Jens Jensen Park. 

The farmers market takes place from 7am – 1pm, and at 2pm, get

ready for the Taste of Ravinia! Co-hosted by the City of Highland Park and the

Park District of Highland Park, join in the fun with local producers and Ravinia

District businesses, family activities, live music, food and much more.

Did you know the City of Highland Park has a dedicated composting program for businesses and local restaurants? Highland Park Composts is a collaboration between The City of Highland Park, the Solid Waste Agency of Lake County (SWALCO), and LRS to support the implementation of food scrap composting at local restaurants and businesses. Local businesses and restaurants who are interested in signing up for this program should email: cityhp@cityhpil.com.mposting Services

Have you integrated solar technology and other green improvements into your business? Help inspire others to make the leap to solar and invest in green initiatives by participating in the Illinois Solar Tour!

The Solar Tour consists of a series of Solar Open Houses. Homeowners, small businesses, and nonprofits open their doors to the public and tell the story of how and why they decided to go solar. The event will be held September 30, from 10 AM to 3 PM and will be available in an in-person and virtual hybrid format. To learn more about the Solar Tour or sign up to showcase your business, contact the City Manager's Office at 847.926.1000 or email cityhp@cityhpil.com. 

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.

SCORE recently added a new YouTube channel where all previously recorded webinars can be accessed.

To schedule an in-person or virtual session, visit score.org/northchicago 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.

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.

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact Business Development Manager Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1027.

Questions regarding enjoyhighlandpark.com should be addressed to Amanda Bennett, Communications Manager, at abennett@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.