A Great American Street in Downtown Evanston
Evanston’s Central Street, named one of America’s Great Streets by the American Planning Association, is a small thriving commercial area served by a busy Metra commuter rail station and located next to Northwestern University’s Ryan Field. The district is home to a wide variety of locally-owned, small businesses who have been volunteering for years to market the area and host events. But online competition, a nearby shopping mall, and several other proximate business districts meant that the businesses needed a way to step up their game and let people know what a treasure the area is.
Shop Small, Shop Local: Special Service Area in Action
Why create a Special Service Area (SSA) / Business Improvement District (BID)? It's a great tool for businesses to come together to market an area, host events, and make improvements to stay competitive. The City of Evanston recently passed ordinances creating two SSAs that will serve the two business districts along Central Street. These locally controlled SSAs will hire their own staff and guide marketing, events, and beautification improvements along Central Street for the next ten years.
Here, Teska's Scott Goldstein catches up with Simone Oettinger, owner of Maya Papaya & Tony Macrarony at the Central Street Sidewalk Sale. Simone was one of the leaders in establishing the SSA last year in Evanston, along with Mari Barnes (Notice), Larrabee Aim (Aim & Ailie) John Tasi (Old Neighborhood Grill), John Kim (Backlot Coffee), Tom Erd (The Spice House), Rachel Hershinow (Stella), Paul Zalmezak and Paulina Martínez of the City of Evanston.
Near Evanston? You don't need a sidewalk sale to shop small! Stop by Central Street to snag some locally sourced goodies and support these great small business owners. Happy feel-goods come free with every purchase.
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