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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Fabulous finds on the North Shore P12 FOLLOW US:
NO. 424 | A JWC MEDIA PUBLICATION
SHOP NOW, SHOP LOCAL THE HOLIDAY SEASON MAY LOOK AND FEEL DIFFERENT THIS YEAR, BUT NORTH SHORE CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE AND SMALL BUSINESSES ARE GEARING UP TO KEEP THE SEASON BRIGHT WITH OPPORTUNITIES TO SPEND AND CELEBRATE LOCALLY. BY MITCH HURST THE NORTH SHORE WEEKEND
The best way to shop is to shop local, and this holiday season that's truer than ever. With the COVID-19 pandemic impacting small businesses since March—forcing some to close for a period of time and limiting foot traffic into stores—this is the perfect time for North Shore residents to help our small shops, boutiques, and restaurants bounce back. The North Shore Weekend interviewed executives from area chambers of commerce and owners of small businesses throughout the North Shore about the challenges and opportunities for the upcoming holiday shopping season, and found they are cautiously optimistic, geared up and ready to offer a safe shopping environment. This year, rather than feed the big box stores and online retailers like Amazon, think about supporting the shop around the corner.
LAKE FOREST/LAKE BLUFF With its "Think Local First" holiday initiative, the Lake Forest/Lake Bluff Chamber of Commerce aims to promote local shopping at businesses in the area. This includes an online ecommerce guide that showcases businesses on the chamber's Website (lflbchamber.com), Facebook groups focused on promoting shopping locally, a “Turning the Tables to Serve Up Support” movement for restaurants, and a promoting “Gifts that Give” campaign to encourage contributions to nonprofits. The chamber is also selling gift certificates, a Lake Forest Market Square, 11" x 17" ORIGINAL ART BY MARK MCMAHON / COPYRIGHT MCMAHONGALLERY.COM popular gift choice that can be redeemed at local businesses and keeps dollars in town, according now struggling to keep their doors open," Rolek Missy Crowe, who owns M on the Square, a to Joanna Rolek, the chamber's Executive Direc- says. "We must make every effort to keep our full-service floral and home accessory shop in tor. It is also sponsoring special events in both dollars and sales tax revenue in our communities. Lake Forest, says her business participates in all Lake Forest and Lake Bluff featuring holiday If our businesses can keep their lights on through of the promotions and activities the chamber has window displays in both downtowns that show- this dark winter, then we will all win in the end." to offer because of the emphasis on shopping case festive art, community participation, and Rolek adds that, like many North Shore com- local. nonprofit promotion. munities, Lake Forest and Lake Bluff are fortu"If you don't shop local, you won't have a town "Shopping locally and keeping dollars in town nate to have the generous support of munici- to go to," Crowe says. "When your family comes has always been important but now it is critical palities through financial assistance and also the to visit, you won't have a square to walk to." to community health. The same businesses that facilitation of creative accommodation for onThis holiday season, Forest Bootery in Lake have supported our kids’ teams, groups’ fundrais- street dining, delivery stops, licensing changes, ers, and are owned by friends and neighbors are and more. Continued on PG 8