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July 11, 2024

Congratulations to Abigail's American Bistro, which celebrated 15 years as a Highland Park restaurant on April 9, 2024!

Since 2009, Abigail's has provided a welcoming atmosphere with a fresh and flavorful menu. Owner and executive chef Michael Paulson brings more than 20 years of experience to the table, emphasizing fresh and local ingredients in every dish. With a menu that reflects the changing seasons, there's always something delicious to try at Abigail's. Stop in, enjoy a great meal, and congratulate Chef Paulson and the rest of the team at Abigail's American Bistro on this achievement.

493 Roger Williams Ave. | 847.780.4862 | abigails493.com

Mark your calendars! The City of Highland Park kicks off its Port Clinton Friday Night Concert Series this coming Friday, July 12. On select Friday evenings from 6:30 - 8:30 PM (July 12, July 19, August 2, August 9, and August 16) attendees will enjoy a lively atmosphere at Port Clinton Square thanks to an eclectic musical lineup featuring folk, reggae, blues, pop, and classic rock. The series kicks off this week with classic rock, pop & 90s hits from the Michelle Hallman Band.

Downtown Highland Park businesses are encouraged to take advantage of increased foot traffic in the area by staying open later on event nights. Help maximize attendance by encouraging customers to attend the concert series and explore businesses throughout Downtown Highland Park!

Food Truck Thursdays return to the Ravinia District this week, featuring Ravinia businesses, over a dozen rotating food vendors and live music. Food Truck Thursdays takes place in the Ravinia District weekly through the end of September, 4:30 PM til dusk in Jens Jensen Park. This week, enjoy spiritual folk from Ryan Herrick & the Heretics (4:30 – 5:45 PM), followed by the future funk sounds of headliners Nasty Snacks (6 – 8:30 PM). 

For more information on how to be a part of the 2024 event season as a participating or sponsoring business, please contact the Ravinia District’s event management team, Ripple Public Relations, info@ripplepublicrelations.com, or call 847.432.6000. 

Recap of June Improvements

There has been significant progress on the Briergate Business District Revitalization Project this summer. Construction crews have successfully completed all curb and gutter improvements, as well as fire hydrant installations, along Old Skokie Valley Road. Installation of brick pavers began this week as did the milling and resurfacing of the roadway.

What's Ahead?

The next phase will focus on improvements to the alley running between Old Deerfield Road. Specific improvements are anticipated to include:

• Enhanced drainage solutions
• Resurfacing or reconstruction of the alley pavement
• Construction of new curbs

The City’s Engineering Consultant, Ciorba Group, will oversee construction activities. The Construction Engineer for this project is Mike Kowalski. Mr. Kowalski may be contacted at mkowalski@ciorba.com or at 312.515.3292.

Construction is underway to allow for newly paved streets, expanded pedestrian walkways, ADA accessibility improvements, increased outdoor dining space, and inviting new streetscape, including new benches, lighting, and landscape. Your patience and feedback are appreciated during these improvement projects.

June Improvements

Second Street

• Began curb work at the north end of the block
• Began installation of conduit for electrical services
• Begin underlayment work in areas where paver bricks will be placed
• Installation of updated storm sewer

CBD Resurfacing

The installation of updated curbing, ADA accessible crosswalks and electrical conduit for new pedestrian signaling.

Work was completed on the following streets:

• Elm Place from Green Bay Road to St. Johns Avenue
• Green Bay Road from Elm Place to Laurel Avenue
• Central Avenue from Green Bay Road to Linden Avenue
• Laurel Avenue from Green Bay Road to St. Johns Avenue
• Second Street from Central Avenue to Laurel Avenue
• First Street from Green Bay Road to Laurel Avenue
• St. Johns from Elm Place to Laurel Avenue
• Sheridan Road from Elm Place to Central Avenue

Downtown Furniture Replacement

• Installed 19 benches on existing pavers or concrete
• Installed 15 total benches located in pocket park areas – benches required new concrete pads

What's Ahead?

Second Street

• Temporary closure of the Second Street Parking lot from Monday, July 15, 2024 through Wednesday, July 17, 2024, to allow for the pouring and curing of the entrance and exit access lanes
• Complete installation of all curbing
• Completion of concrete underlayment
• Complete installation of all brick pavers
• Completion of electrical conduit installation
• Installation of streetscape to include:

Trees

Planters

Benches

Bollards

Lights

CBD Resurfacing Project

• Phase 2 began Monday, July 8, 2024
• All work will be conducted overnight from 9PM – 6AM, Monday – Friday (into Saturday morning)
• All roadways will continue to be open and accessible during business hours (no road closures)
• Roadway asphalt surface removal and complete replacement to be conducted in phases
• Roadway patching in deficient areas
• Temporary stripping will be in place to maintain parking throughout process

Downtown Furniture Replacement (Phase 3 began July 9)

• Installation of benches at Port Clinton
• Completion of landscaping punch list items.

Visit the City’s Capital Improvement Program page for more information related to the Central Business District Capital Projects. If you have any questions specific to the investment projects taking place, please contact Ashley Palbitska, Assistant to the City Manager at 847.926.1034 or apalbitska@cityhpil.com.

Don't miss the 2nd Annual Taste of Ravinia Farmers Market! This full day event celebrates National Farmers Market Week (Aug 4-10) on Wednesday, August 7th (7 AM- 8 PM). Enjoy market to table cooking demos, samples, recipes, live music, and family fun! Located along Dean Avenue and in Jens Jensen Park, the Ravinia Farmers Market has been a North Shore favorite for over 45 years.

If interested in joining as a vendor or finding other avenues to participate, contact Ed Kugler at ravinia1978@gmail.com. 

The Highland Park Chamber is a collective group of local businesses, individuals, and organizations that voluntarily align themselves with the Chamber’s mission to help build a stronger, more prosperous community. Members actively invest their time, money and talents into initiatives that ensure Highland Park is attractive to residents, visitors, and businesses alike.

Interested in becoming a member? Contact the Chamber at 847.432.0284 or info@chamberhp.com.

Upcoming Events

Indus Progressive Indian Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Tuesday July 16, 5PM

617 Central Avenue

Join community members as Indus Progressive Indian celebrates their grand opening! From the creators of Bhoomi, Indus is a progressive, fine-dining Indian restaurant located in the Central Business District. The ribbon cutting ceremony will take place shortly after arrival at 5:00 pm. Light refreshments will be available. No registration is required.

Small Business Resource Luncheon

Thursday, July 25, 11 AM - 1PM

Marriott Suites Deerfield 2 Parkway North

29th District Chambers will host the 2024 Small Business Resource Luncheon on Thursday, July 25. Hosted by State Senator Julie Morrison, the event will begin with networking, followed by keynote speaker Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State.

Giannoulias and other representatives of State agencies are available both before and after to answer questions and provide resources for small businesses.

Admission: $40 per person

Deadline to Register: Tuesday, July 17 at 12pm

Register with the Chamber Here

The Downtown Highland Park Alliance's Spotlight Grants are funded by SSA19 and are available to businesses in the Central Business District creating events which market CBD businesses and drive foot traffic to downtown Highland Park.

Requirements:

• Collaborate with at least 2 Central Business District businesses to brainstorm an event.
• Create a work plan outlining the location, activities, participants, goals, and budget.
• 50% of approved expenses can be covered up to a maximum grant award of $5,000.
• Promote the event encouraging visitors to shop, dine, and experience downtown Highland Park.

For details and application instructions, contact Ripple Public Relations at info@ripplepublicrelations.com or 837.432.6000.

The City's Exterior Improvement Grant Program is designed to provide assistance and encourage both commercial property owners and sales-tax-generating businesses citywide to improve their storefronts’ appearance and functionality. 

The annual program budget is $100,000 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum grant is 50% of the project cost, up to $20,000 per year for up to five consecutive years, or $100,000. However, a grant for the same improvement would not be considered within the same five-year period.

This program provides an excellent opportunity for local businesses and property owners to upgrade eligible improvements that are visible from the right-of-way, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the entire city.

For more information on the Exterior Improvement Grant Program download the application.

If you have questions about the program, please contact Business Development Specialist Angela Shaffer at 847.926.1008 or ashaffer@cityhpil.com.

Community Navigators is a support program to assist small businesses, particularly minority, women, rural, and veteran-owned businesses. They provide outreach to raise awareness on federal and state programs, and provide 1:1 technical assistance, etc. For more information, please click HERE.

This newsletter is produced by the City of Highland Park's Office of Business Development. 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. The City reserves the right to edit and/or filter submissions. 

For general business inquiries and assistance, contact the Business Development Team:

• Manager, Carolyn Hersch at chersch@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1027
• Specialist, Corey Cohn at ccohn@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1046
• Specialist, Angela Shaffer at ashaffer@cityhpil.com or 847.926.1008

To learn more about the Business Development Economic Advisory Group (BEDAG), which supports community programs that promote City business and economic development, visit the City's website.