CHICAGO NEIGHBORHOOD NEWS – Lakeview, Lincoln Square/Ravenswood, Norwood Park, Oak Park, Loop

Now that Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are over, there are plenty of opportunities to spread holiday cheer for everyone when you shop locally. Nearly all of Dean’s Team’s featured neighborhoods have great offers you can take advantage of through the holiday season.

LAKEVIEW

Saturday, 12/3, is a big day in Lakeview with its annual Holiday Shopping Extravaganza. To start things off, between 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. only, Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is holding a 25% discount sale for their pre-paid Gift Cards for any dollar amount between $25 – $500. They can be purchased at the LVECC office at 3138 N. Broadway or purchased online by use of the website link above. Funds on Gift Cards can be used at any of the multitude of participating businesses and will never expire. Just keep in mind that a $3 monthly fee will be deducted after 1 year of inactivity as incentive to remember to use your precious Gift Card. Also from 12:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. 20 Lakeview businesses are participating in the Holiday Treat Stroll with samples of goodies to help keep your energy up while shopping. And if that wasn’t sweet enough, the Laugh Factory (3175 N. Broadway) will feature a free viewing of the 1983 film classic, A Christmas Story, at 2:00 p.m. with hot cocoa, tea or coffee for purchase. Aaaw Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce, you’re so thoughtful!

LINCOLN SQUARE/RAVENSWOOD

Unwrap Lincoln Square & Ravenswood will reward those that finish their holiday shopping the quickest and/or spends the most within the boundaries of Foster Ave. (North), Montrose Ave. (South), Ashland Ave. (East), and Chicago River (West). The first 150 shoppers to spend a total of $300 at a minimum of 3 qualifying businesses (must be at least $25 per business) will be awarded a $50 Bridgeview Bank Visa Gift Care to be used within the neighborhood. Deliver or mail your photocopied receipts to the Lincoln Square & Ravenswood Chamber of Commerce (2611 W. Lawrence Ave.) as soon as possible to participate. Also the top 2 shoppers that spend the most within the boundaries will receive twelve $50 gift certificates to dine at participating local restaurants through 2017. Start collecting your receipts and submit them to the Chamber by Friday, 1/6/17 to enter.

NORWOOD PARK

Keep track of your receipts from local stores in the Norwood Park area between 11/25 – 12/24. Spend at least $150 total at 3 local businesses and you can be entered into Norwood Park Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s raffle to win gift certificates to shop even more. All you have to do is send photos of your qualifying receipts to info@norwoodpark.org as your raffle entry.

OAK PARK

No luck involved to be a winner with Downtown Oak Park’s Shopper’s Reward Program. Bring your original receipts totaling to $400 from purchases made between 11/1 – 12/25 at 7 or more of the businesses listed within the link above. Individual receipts must be a minimum of $25 to make up your  total of $400. Bring your original receipts to the Visit Oak Park Visitors Center (1010 Lake St.) between the hours of 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. any day from now through February 15, 2017 (except holidays). Then you will receive a $50 Shopper’s Reward certificate to keep on shopping in the area before the end of the Reward Program on 2/15/17.

LOOP

Doing it again for its 16th year, it’s time for the 7th floor of the Merchandise Mart (222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza) to be transformed into the One of a Kind Holiday Show & Sale where more than 600 North American artists will present their works of art, fashion, crafts, and culinary offerings for this event that truly lives up to its name. Adult admission tickets of $12 are good for all 4 days, 12/1 – 12/4, children 12 and under may attend for free and a portion of these sales benefit the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital. One of a Kind is open today and tomorrow, 12/1 and 12/2, from 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.; Saturday 12/3 from 10:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.; and Sunday 12/4 from 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

CATHY MALLERS & DEAN’S TEAM CHICAGO