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August 8, 2023

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

The Farmers Market takes place from 7 AM – 1 PM, and at 2 PM, 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.

Congratulations to Gordon Salon Highland Park for being recognized by Salon Today as the third runner up in the 2023 Salon of the Year contest! Gordon Salon recently redesigned the Highland Park location, and Salon Today couldn't help but notice the sustainably-minded living wall in the reception area. In case you didn't know, all Gordon Salons are carbon negative. The Gordon family is committed to reducing more carbon in the atmosphere than their operations create. Click here to view the beautiful Highland Park remodel!

653 Central Ave. / 847.266.7777/ Gordon Salon Highland Park

Ravinia Books, Antiques, etc. is not just a bookstore. Owners Carol and Elliott Miller have a large and diverse collection of antique, vintage, and modern books for adults and children, but their shop also features a considerable variety of other items and knick-knacks, from glassware, Judaica, household items, vintage and antique linens, jewelry, camping gear, pens and mechanical pencils, and more. Open Wednesday - Saturday afternoons, stop in to say hello and browse the eclectic stock of interesting and evolving items.

469 Roger Williams Ave. / 224.522.6620/ Ravinia Books, Antiques, etc.

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.)

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.

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 Highland Park Players – Broadway-style entertainment and the Taylor Morse Band – Classic Rock.

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.

Are you a commercial property owner interested in pursuing energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, electrical vehicle charging and resiliency projects for your commercial buildings? Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy program (C-Pace) of Lake County is holding an informational webinar on August 16 to share information on special available financing for eligible projects.

Webinar Details

Title: Set the PACE by Going Green in Lake County

Date: 11 AM, August 16, 2023

During the webinar you will:

• Meet the Lake County C-Pace team
• Get an overview of the benefits of C-Pace financing
• Learn how to use C-Pace in Lake County
• Hear from other C-Pace users and see examples of C-Pace in action in Illinois

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.