Evanston Legacy Business Alliance

11/27/2025

This Thanksgiving, we’re reminded of the importance of community. We are grateful for YOU (legacy business owners/employees and supporters). Because of the continued support from Evanstonians our city is filled with numerous long-standing small businesses.

So this weekend and throughout the holdiay season let’s commit to shop small, shop often, and shop with a full heart.

11/26/2025

Get your holiday off to a fun and funky start!

Evanston’s old-school dance party returns Wednesday night with the E-Town Get Down! This annual Thanksgiving Eve reunion, held in the lobby of SPACE, brings together Evanstonians from all walks of life. DJs Dustin “Mr. D” Harris, Corey Bless, and Torben “Teebot” Nielsen will be throwing down three hours of tracks from their extensive collections for all to enjoy. With a theme (rivalry?) of “Prince vs. Michael Jackson,” you’ll party like it’s 1999! The event is all ages with no cover- slide through and get your holiday off to a fun and funky start!

🎶 E-Town Get Down
🔸 Wednesday, November 26, 9pm-midnight
🎶 Evanston SPACE , 1243 Chicago Ave
🔸 Free, first come, first served at the door!

📸 : Dave Hunwick

11/26/2025

Stop by Marie Parie Boutique at 508 Main Street this weekend and show them some love.

For almost 30 years they have offered a whimsical selection of French apparel, accessories, and art.

Join us for our Marie Parie Holiday Rally!

11/22/2025

Kick off your holiday shopping season next weekend on Small Business Saturday, during Shop Small Weekend! This is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the local shops that give our community such a unique personality. Enjoy a free trolley ride between the Main-Dempster Mile and Downtown Evanston , with special guest Elf on the Shelf- plus mystery gift bags and cards for shoppers, special sales and deals, and so much more! Make a list, check it twice, and support the stores that are oh so nice :)

🔹Small Business Saturday
🔸Saturday, November 29,
🔹Holiday Trolley, 11am-3pm
🔸Sales! Deals! Holly! Jolly!

11/19/2025

If we want our small businesses to survive, then we need to support them.

11/19/2025

We encourage you to do your holiday shopping at your local legacy businesses!

Here is how access the free holiday parking promotion:
https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/ILEVANSTON/bulletins/3fbd141

11/17/2025

Happy 140th McGaw YMCA - Evanston!

See you this evening for the celebration! 🎉

11/17/2025

We are grateful for Tony’s contributions to the theater scene, especially co-founding Actors Gymnasium Circus School & Theatre Company.

May his memory be a blessing.

Lifelong Evanstonian Anthony "Tony" Adler died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Nov. 11 at 11:11 a.m. after a battle with pancreatic

11/13/2025

Evanston RoundTable columnist Les Jacobson profiles two of the oldest businesses in Evanston: John J. Cahill Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning and Lemoi Ace Hardware.

Both businesses started in the 1890s and each is still owned by its founding family, a rarity. The current owners share some of the secrets of their success.

https://evanstonroundtable.com/2025/11/12/les-jacobson-evanstons-oldest-firms/

Four generations: A Cahill promotional brochure shows (from left) founder John J. Cahill, John W. Cahill, John J. Cahill II and John J. Cahill III. The

10/10/2025

Congratulations The Main-Dempster Mile 🥳

10/10/2025

Last night at our second annual Legacy Business Alliance celebration, we honored the following 2025 nominees:

1st Ward:
Accents Plus
Actors Gymnasium Circus School & Theatre Company
The Alley Gallery
Evanston History Center
Hagerty Consulting
Prairie Moon
Tapas Barcelona - Evanston, IL
The Woman's Club of Evanston Clubhouse

2nd Ward:
Dance Center Evanston
Dempster Auto Rebuilders, Inc.
Evanston Blueprint Shops
Evanston Photographic Studios
Nature's Perspective Landscaping
YWCA Evanston/North Shore

3rd Ward:
Brothers K Coffeehouse
The Lucky Platter
Secret Treasures Antiques & Collectibles
Thrift House Junior League of Evanston-North Shore
Warren's Auto Service

4th Ward:
Blind Faith Cafe
Grumman/Butkus Associates
Johnson Locksmith
Murphy's Fit
Vintage Vinyl
McGaw YMCA - Evanston

5th Ward:
Evanston Chicken Shack
Hanson Roofing
Suds Car Wash
Windy City Garden Center

6th Ward:
Central Rug and Floors
Lakeside Auto Rebuilders
Sarkis Cafe

7th Ward:
American Legion Post 42 - Evanston
Hogeye Music
Stuart-Rodgers Photography
Walsh Natural Health

8th Ward:
El Pueblito Mexican 2
Howard Street Animal Hospital
Preferred Dentistry Associates P.C.

9th Ward:
Classy Closet Consignment
The Musical Offering
PM Woodwind Repair

Thank you to our sponsors!
Blind Faith, Byline Bank, D&D Finer Foods, and Hagerty Consulting

Evanston Legacy Business Alliance honors long-standing businesses for their legacy and community impact. Celebrating 20+ years of local entrepreneurship.

09/21/2025

A shout out to the for partnering with us on the Downtown Evanston History Tour program. We are so thankful for all the historical knowledge the team has shared to make this happen! ✨

Download the app to take a tour of historical sites and earn points and prizes or just visit the webpage to learn fun facts about Downtown Evanston.

Stop by the Arrington Lagoon on Saturday, September 27, 10AM to 1PM to learn about the Downtown Evanston History Tour and enjoy a complimentary beverage or snack from the Arrington Lagoon Cafe. Learn more vis link in profile.

And don’t forget to check out the new exhibition refashioning History and other programs coming up soon!

9/25, 6:30PM: Our Stories in Evanston: Sharing the Living History of Latinos in Evanston (Free)

9/27, 11AM: Hidden in Plain Sight: Evanston’s Double Houses Walking Tour (Tickets)

9/28, 4-6PM: refashioning History Hat-making Tea Party (Tickets)

10/14, 6:30-7:30PM: refashioning History Designer’s Panel (Free)