Evanston business groups are promoting gift card and T-shirt sales to help local businesses survive the shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Downtown Evanston, the Main-Dempster Mile, the Central Evanston Business District, Central Street Evanston, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and the City of Evanston are participating in the promotion, which is focused on Saturday, April 25.
Downtown Evanston Executive Director Annie Coakley says the gift card sales provide a financial boost and demonstrate support for small businesses.
“Whether you are purchasing gift cards for Mother’s Day, an upcoming birthday, a donation to a local organization, a ‘just because’ gift to a friend or for yourself,” Coakley says, “You are helping the business continue to provide good jobs, quality customer service and the character that makes Evanston feel like home.”
A list of participating businesses is available online.
Downtown Evanston is also leading an Evanston-wide T-shirt Fundraiser to help provide financial assistance for local businesses. Downtown Evanston partnered with Underground Printing to print Evanston the shirts which are available for purchase through May 5.
All proceeds from the T-shirt sales will go back to the local retail community through grants managed by Lend Evanston.