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May 24, 2023

Naturepedic Organic Mattress Gallery recently opened in Downtown Highland Park. Naturepedic Organic Mattress Gallery is a family-owned certified organic mattress manufacturer dedicated to providing the entire family with high-quality, non-toxic mattresses and bedding. From mattresses designed for kids to highly sought-after luxury organic mattresses for adults, all mattresses are made with a combination of domestic and imported materials. 

643 Central Avenue / 847.926.7295 / Naturepedic Organic Mattress Gallery

The City’s online payment system for licensing will be temporarily disabled starting May 24, 2023 at 4PM through June 6, 2023 at 8AM, as part of the City’s implementation of new computer software. During this time, all license online payments will be unavailable. Payments are not accepted over the phone. Payments can be made by mail or drop box, located in the parking lot adjacent to City Hall. Please contact the City Manager’s Office at 847.926.1000 or cityhp@cityhpil.com for more information.

On Monday, June 5 through Thursday, June 8, the entire St. Johns North parking lot at 525 Central Avenue will be unavailable for parking due to maintenance. The north end of the parking lot will be open for parking again on Friday, June 9.

Alternative parking may be found at the following locations:

• St. Johns Avenue between Central and Elm Place (2 hour parking limit will not be enforced)
• Lot Six located on St. Johns Avenue between Central & Laurel 

Kick off a fantastic summer at the first Food Truck Thursday of the season in the Ravinia District. Featuring over a dozen food trucks and live music from folk-pop duo Jay O'Brien and Allison Zabelin and hot house swing band Bowmanville, Food Truck Thursdays begin on Thursday, June 1, and continue weekly through September 21, 4:30 PM til dusk.

The Pilates Center of the North Shore has operated in Highland Park for 20+ years and offers private, semi-private, and group mat and reformer classes following the Joseph Pilates’ Principles. Practiced by people of all ages and levels of fitness, the goal of Pilates is to improve your health without risking injury to your body. 

616 Laurel Ave. / 847.266.1512  / The Pilates Center of the North Shore

We're thrilled to announce the broad entertainment lineup for featured events at The Lot, the City’s alfresco dining and entertainment destination! From national headliners to North Shore favorites, classic rock to yacht rock, DJs to a cappella, there's something for everyone on stage at The Lot this summer! 

Season Lineup:

• Vintage Market: June 11, 11 AM - 4 PM
• Taste of Highland Park: June 23, 5 - 10 PM & June 24, 12 - 10 PM
• Bitter Jester Music Fest: June 25, 12 - 8 PM
• Artisan Market: July 2 - September 24, Sundays at 10 AM - 3 PM
• World Music and Food Fest: July 15, 12 - 10 PM
• Vintage Car Show: September 9, 12 - 4 PM
• Oktoberfest: September 30, 12 -10 PM
• Vintage Market: October 8, 11 AM - 4 PM
• Stews & Brews and Blues: October 13 & 14, 5 - 9 PM

Every year during the month of June, the LGBTQ+ community celebrates in a number of different ways. Please let us know if your business is hosting or participating in any Pride Month promotions so we can share the news. Send your information via email to: businessdevelopment@cityhpil.com.

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.

The Sponsor-A-Planter Program offers residents and businesses the opportunity to sponsor an available municipal planter during the summer and fall seasons. An annual fee covers planting, maintenance, and a 5” x 7” commemorative placard in the planter. The placard may recognize the sponsor or honor an individual or family. Planters are located in the Central Business District and the Ravinia District and are maintained from May to November.

More information is available at cityhpil.com. Please contact the Office of Business Development at 847.926.1046 with questions. 

The U.S. Department of the Treasury announced that Illinois will receive up to $354.6 million to administer programs as part of the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). The expanded program offering through SSBCI will enable Illinois to support small businesses across the state - helping them attract more capital investment and expand or launch business operations, while supporting key sectors. All of the new programs will launch in the coming months.

• Advantage Illinois (AI) Loan Guarantee Program (New Program)

Advantage Illinois' new Loan Guarantee Program will support business applicants who are having difficulty gaining access to capital by using funds to guarantee a percentage of loans provided by partner lenders.

• IN-VENT Venture Capital Program (VCP) (New Program)

Innovation Venture Fund (IN-VENT) will operate as a direct equity program with a focus on investing in businesses in key industries such as agriculture, ag tech, information technology, life sciences, manufacturing, quantum, and more.

• Climate Bank Finance Loan Participation Program (New Program)

This new program will be overseen by DCEO and administered by the Illinois Finance Authority (IFA), which will partner with local lenders to issue the loans. Climate Bank funds will be available to small businesses in the clean energy sector.

To receive program updates, please fill out the following form.

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.