FEBRUARY, 2010 – GENERAL MEETING:
The Chamber’s February, 2010 General Meeting will be held on Thursday, February 4th, at 8:00 a.m. at North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash, 4343 W. Peterson Avenue, (773) 545-5700. The Chamber would like to thank Kate Gallagher for hosting this meeting and Peter Spryopoulos from East of Edens Restaurant for hosting our December, 2009 general meeting.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS’ MEETING:
The next Board of Directors’ meeting will be held on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 4:30 PM at the Edgebrook Public Library, 5331 W. Devon Avenue (312) 744-8313. Thanks again to Kathryn Panares for providing us with our meeting room.
2010 CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP DUES:
We are all dealing with tough economic times, but it is important to renew your membership! Benefits include: inclusion in the membership directory that is distributed to local businesses, residents and community groups; receiving the monthly newsletter by email; linkage to the chamber website; inclusion in the Member-to-Member Discount and Welcome Packet programs; eligibility to participate in the Street Banner program and the annual Edgebrook Golf Outing and Summer Festival. Dues must be received by January 31, 2010 to be included in the membership directory.
CHAMBER NEWSLETTER IS NOW “GREEN”:
The February, 2010 issue of the chamber’s monthly newsletter will be the first one that will be almost exclusively e-mailed to chamber members. In order to save on rather significant and ever escalating printing and mailing costs AND to do our part in saving the world’s environment by reducing our dependence on paper usage, the chamber has implemented a new delivery format. Chamber members with an email address will be receive it via a mass email blast or you can access it via the internet by logging on to the chamber website and view it there. For those without internet access or an email address, the chamber will still mail those members a hard copy of the newsletter.
PARKING LOT SOLD, FUTURE UNCERTAIN:
The Chamber has been made aware by the law firm representing the heirs of the late Mr. Ron Brunelli that the parking lot has been sold to an undisclosed party. The Chamber had been renting this parking lot for the past twenty-five years (ONLY because of generous donations by local businesses) in order to provide the Edgebrook community and downtown businesses with a free parking alternative to City street parking meters. Recently, rates for these meters were increased to $1.25 per hour. The Chamber had been staying in contact with the Brunelli estate’s law firm while it attempted to secure the financing necessary to purchase the property and keep it a parking lot indefinitely. However, acquisition of this property was going to be a daunting challenge given the asking price was well over $500,000. In addition to checking on what local financial resources were available, the Chamber reached out to governmental officials to determine if there was grant funding or a low-interest loan program that could assist the Chamber. Alas, there wasn’t a good financial fit available to secure a reliable revenue stream that could be used to support long-term financing for acquisition of the parking lot. The Chamber would like to thank Alderman Brian Doherty, Alderman Margaret Laurino, Alderman Patrick J. Levar and State Representative John D’Amico for their efforts.
The prospective owners have not yet made contact with the Chamber to discuss plans for the property or when redevelopment will move forward. The Chamber’s parking lot lease expires on June 13, 2010. This is a sad day for the Edgebrook community and local businesses, to be sure.
The EDGEBROOK GARAGE SALE IS BACK!:
Geri Schnock from Palladinetti & Associates wants everyone to know one of the chamber’s oldest events is making a comeback. The Edgebrook Garage Sale (one-day event) will take place on Saturday, May 8, 2010 (8:00 am – 4:00 pm). It will be located on N. Kinzua Avenue (site of the Edgebrook Festival). Vendors will be on both sides of the street and for just $30.00, they will get two (2) booth spaces (one for your car and one for your booth). What you consider disposable is someone else’s treasure! Come out, enjoy the day, move some stuff out of the basement and make a few bucks in the process. Nice! Check out the Chamber’s website for a registration form and the garage sale rules and regulations.
NORTHWEST SIDE BUSINESS CARD DIRECTORY:
The Edgebrook and Gladstone Chambers of Commerce are once again working together to produce an updated Northwest Side Business Card Directory to help promote area businesses. The cost of running your business card in this directory is an economical $100.00. The directories will be published in four-color and your business will be advertised to over 18,000 area homes! Other forms of advertising are also available. Full-page advertisements range from $475 to $775 depending on the preferred location in the directory. If possible, e-mail either chamber with a PDF file of your business card. For more information, call Gladstone’s Executive Director Gale Goles at (773) 775-8871 or email her at: execdir@gladstoneparkchamber.com.
CITY SNOW REMOVAL NOTICE:
All Chicago businesses and commercial property owners are required, under Municipal Code, to remove snow and ice from sidewalks abutting their property or businesses (Section 4-4-310 and 320). Business owners should clear a path at least 5 feet in width. It is important to remember that a sidewalk is free of snow / ice is a provision of your business license (Section 4-4-320 & 10-8-180).
WEBSITE ADVERTISEMENTS:
The Chamber is now offering you several options to advertise your business on its website. You can consider taking out a Business Card “Website” advertisement for $100 and it will be posted on the “front-page” of the website for a calendar year! If you do so, your business website will be “linked” to the chamber’s website for FREE! Send your card to the Chamber by the 20th of each month.
If you choose not to take out a business card website advertisement, you can decide to have your Business Website “linked” to the chamber’s website for a very reasonable fee for a calendar year.
You can also post your Business Flyers (special rates, deals, sales and other important news about your business) on the Chamber’s Website. Once you pay a nominal annual fee, you can post one of your flyers every quarter for no addition charge.
EDGEBROOK FESTIVAL 2010 UPDATE:
METRA has allowed the chamber to use the western half of N. Kinzua Avenue on Friday and Saturday in 2010 for our annual festival. The chamber’s Festival Committee has decided the festival will be held on Friday, July 30, 2010 and Saturday, July 31, 2010. Look for an improved format and festival layout! Volunteers are always needed!
SIGNUP FOR THE BANNER PROGRAM:
The Chamber’s Street Banner Program is still accepting applications. A Standard Banner costs a mere $300 and a Custom Banner with your business logo is an economical $350. Included is a five-year maintenance program that covers everything. If you find a better banner offer, let us know about it! For more info, call the chamber at (773) 775-0378.
Get your business name visible in Edgebrook!
Thousands of cars drive through the Central / Devon intersection, everyday day of the year. Promote your business to potential customers!
2010 WELCOME PACKET PROGRAM:
The Chamber always seeks your promotional items. Bring them to the Chamber office or any general meeting. Please take advantage of this FREE chamber service!
AN EVENING WITH TEDDY ROOSEVELT:
Edgebrook will be co-sponsoring an “After-Hours” business networking event with the Sauganash, Lincolnwood, Niles and Skokie Chambers of Commerce on February 18, 2010 (5:00 – 7:30 pm) at the Skokie Theatre (7924 N. Lincoln Avenue). Come listen to a 30-minute dissertation by famed actor Joe Wiegand as President Teddy “Roughrider” Roosevelt. This event costs only $15.00 to chamber members.
SWEDISH COVENANT HOSPITAL
The Edgebrook and Sauganash Chambers of Commerce will be co-sponsoring an “After-Hours” networking event hosted by Swedish Covenant Hospital on March 10, 2010 (5:30 – 7:30 pm) at Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood (3900 W. Devon Avenue, Lincolnwood). A presenter will discuss the natural “body clock” and circadian rhythms. These are interesting discussion topics.
CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:
FEBRUARY 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
North Shore Community Bank & Trust – Sauganash
4343 W. Peterson Avenue
FEBRUARY 18TH – 5:00 to 7:30 PM
“Meet Teddy Roosevelt” After-Hours Event
Skokie Theatre
7924 N. Lincoln Avenue, Skokie, IL
MARCH 4TH – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Essence MedSpa and Wellness Center
6413 N. Kinzua Avenue (formerly Rose Mortgage)
MARCH 10TH – 5:30 to 7:30 PM
Swedish Covenant Hospital Health Care Program
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue, Lincolnwood, IL
MARCH 18TH – 4:30 PM
Board of Directors’ Meeting
Edgebrook Branch Chicago Public Library
5331 W. Devon Avenue
APRIL 1ST – 8:00 AM
General Membership Meeting
Myron & Phil Steak and Seafood Restaurant
3900 W. Devon Avenue (Lincolnwood)