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CHICAGO (WLS) — Small Business Saturday serves as a dedicated day to highlight locally-owned stores, taking place right after the bustling shopping frenzy of Black Friday.
The initiative was launched in the city by the Chicago Department of Business Affairs, with numerous small businesses across the area, including those in uptown, welcoming shoppers even as snowflakes fell.
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In Rogers Park, the day kicked off at Alexander’s Restaurant on Sheridan Road. Remarkably, it marked just the second day of business for the restaurant, which opened its doors amid the Thanksgiving weekend rush.
“It’s truly an honor to be part of this community,” said Erik Mizhquiri, owner of Alexander’s Restaurant. “We get to pursue what we love with the people we cherish, all within the framework of a family-run business.”
The Rogers Park Business Alliance set up a presence outside the restaurant, urging the community to support local shopping ventures.
“Simultaneously, we have the welcome station where we are giving free tote bags and with goodies from local businesses, and a list of specials that local businesses are offering today on Small Business Saturday,” said Carolina Juarez, Business District Manager at the Rogers Park Business Alliance.
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“So from Clark Street to Sheridan, Howard Street to Devon, Morris, Jarvis, I have tons of small retail and small entrepreneurs,” 49th Ward Alderwoman Maria Hadden said. “So we push really hard to shop local. It’s what’s helped keep many businesses open during the pandemic, it’s really helped as we you know had so many problems with the ICE raids in our communities.”
Over 30 businesses participated in the initiative.
The snow was not stopping people from showing up and supporting. It was money spent that Ald. Hadden says goes back to the local economy and keeps small businesses thriving.
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“If you’re not necessarily big on shopping, a lot of business have gift cards, so maybe there’s not something in particular that you need, but this is a great time of year to help people, like, get ready for that, sometimes lull as we hit January and February,” Hadden said.
