Business Resources

Central Street Evanston - Business Resources

Are you a business in the Central Street Evanston interested in getting involved in events or are you interested in opening a new business or relocating to Central Street? Central Street Evanston provides a range of services to the business district including marketing and advertising, special events, seasonal landscaping, holiday decor, placemaking and more. Below is a list of resources available to all businesses within the SSA#7 and SSA#8 boundaries to help market and promote local their business, as well as information about snow removal.

COVID Resources

Central Street Evanston is part of the Evanston Economic Covid-19 Task Force that is working on strategies to help businesses and organizations find resources and prepare for the recovery process.

The Task Force developed the Covid-19 Checklist for Businesses which is updated regularly with information on small business assistance programs, grant opportunities, legislative updates and more. Below are additional resources organized by federal, state, city and organization.

Center for Disease Control
General Business FAQs (updated December 2, 2020)

State of Illinois
Illinois Moving to the "Bridge Phase" (effective May 14, 2020)

City of Evanston
The City of Evanston has a regularly updated Covid-19 website with daily case updates, communication updates, task force updates, health recommendations, ways to help out and more. Sign up for regular email updates from the City.

Evanston Chamber of Commerce
If you are in need of PPE, please contact Roger Sosa, roger@evchamber.com with questions about ordering.

If you have other questions relating to Covid-19, please email centralstreetba@gmail.com. We will update this page soon with other information and guidelines.

Special Events

Central Street Evanston hosts special events throughout the year. All businesses are invited to participate in events listed below.

Around the World on Central Street – June 18-27
Businesses provide an international special for the weekend whether it is a food, product, book, etc. Create online branding, graphics for social sharing; posters and possibly vinyl for signboards; business decorate their storefront windows to celebrate their cultural offering. The event will include entertainment and a Passport Program for Evanstonians.

Sidewalk Sale on Central Street - July 8-11
Our annual sidewalk sale will take place mid July this year with specials from our local Central Street Businesses. There will also be to-go food from a few restaurants and cafes along Central.

Who's Who on Central Street

Central Street Evanston wants to share with the community and other business owners fun facts about the Central Street business owners and managers. Please complete this short form and provide a photo if available. Find the form here.

For more information, please contact ellie@centralstreet-evanston.com.

e-Newsletters

Central Street Evanston will send out a biweekly e-newsletter featuring information about special events in the business district, community events, and promotions, sales and other announcements at individual businesses.

If you want to include an event in the e-newsletter, please email a description of the event with a website that provides more information, and a photo (600 px wide by 400 px high) in jpg or png to centralstreetba@gmail.com. You can also tag @centralstreetevanston and/or make @centralstreetevanston a co-host of a Facebook event and/or an Instagram post.

Snow Removal

Central Street Evanston does not provide snow removal service to the business district. It is the responsibility of businesses, residents and landlords to remove snow and ice from sidewalks after a snow event. Below is a summary of the City of Evanston's ordinance.

Sidewalks should be completely cleared to allow everyone, including people with disabilities, children walking to school and the elderly, to travel freely using the sidewalks instead of the street.
Businesses are responsible for clearing sidewalks adjacent to their property; snow should be removed a minimum of 36” away from the building to avoid citation.
Snow should be removed so as to not block any public right of way (alleys, sidewalks, fire hydrants and streets).

If you need assistance finding a company to clear snow for you, please email centralstreetba@gmail.com.