Edgewater Chamber hosts Virtual Business Conference

I've posted about this before, but I'm a board member of our local Chamber of Commerce. 

With all that is going on with COVID-19, I'm happy to say that the Chamber is hosting an educational forum for local businesses on how to meet the challenges brought to the forefront by the pandemic.

RESCHEDULED!:  Due to a technical glitch in the presenting software, this has been rescheduled to Thursday May 28.  

Same bat time, Same bat place.  Different bat day! 

(A reference to the original Batman, starring Adam West?  Okay, Boomer!)

It's going to happen on Thursday May 28 from 9 am-3 pm.  And my wife Stephanie Schwab (who as many of you might know, is a super-dynamite marketer and thought leader in digital marketing) is going to be speaking at one of the forums. 

(She's also going to be teaching separately a class on how to switch your business from offline to online and go from stuck to productive in 3 short weeks)  

SWITCH: Go from stuck and overwhelmed to bringing in online revenue - in just three short weeks!)

But enough spousal promotion (for now)

At the Edgewater Essentials Virtual Forum, there will be 5 education sessions with more than 15 presenters, and topics ranging from managing your online presence to how to protect your business and its employees, to how to establish healthy routines.   I've included the schedule below.

There will also be chat and networking rooms, so that registrants can expand their professional circles, collaborate with others, and provide (and receive) personal support.

And at 12 pm, you can attend our annual business meeting, and find out about what's going on with the Chamber, about our recent merger with the Edgewater Development Corporation, and how our new 3-year plan can help our community.

Attendees will be able to diversify their skills through these presentations, facilitated discussions, workshops, networking opportunities, and other virtual activities, all from the privacy of their own home.

This event is meant to be a springboard for the community to share experiences and interact with like-minded business owners and professionals. Everyone is welcome to participate, even people who are not yet members of the Chamber.   Attendees can join for one session or stay on for the full schedule of events featured in the day-long program free of charge.

Registration is free, and all of the conferences will be recorded, so all registrants will be able to view all of the sessions, even if they can't attend all of them.

Register online for free tickets to the Edgewater Essentials Virtual Forum.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:  EDGEWATER ESSENTIALS VIRTUAL FORUM

9:00 AM Managing Your Online Presence  

• Janice Means (Marketing With JR)
• George Lowe (SparkFactor)
• John Honkala (Blueshoon)

10:00 AM Establishing A Healthy Routine

• Amanda Montgomery (Heartland Health)
• Patricia Stasjak (Andersonville Physical Therapy)
• Kelsey Mathis (KAM Meditation)
• Dave Rasmussen (Sacred Health)

11:00 AM Spinning Straw Into Gold: Email Marketing

•  Stephanie Schwab (Crackerjack Marketing)

11:30 AM Moving Forward Together: Breakout /Networking Sessions

• Stephanie Kusibab (Essentiam Strategy)

12:30 PM Edgewater Chamber Business Meeting

1:00 PM Putting Your Best Face Forward

• Kate Piatt Eckert (Steep Theatre)
• Thomas Kubik (TK Photography)
• Jenn Eicher (Hazel's Career Coaching)
• Julianne Ehre (Pivot Arts)
• Lisa Ripson (Ripson Communications)

2:00 PM Pivoting Your Business

• Shawn Ash (Farm Bar)
• Michael Caramagno (Caramagno CPA)
• Corey Bradberry (Theatre In The Dark)
• Christine Forster (Smack Dab)

2:30 PM Incubate Your Brand

• Stacey Neier Beran, PHD (Quinlan School of Business)

Virtual Restaurant Week March 20-30

It's a tough time to be a restaurant in Chicago.  The state of Illinois says takeout and delivery only, people are afraid to go out.  At some point in the future, things will lighten up, but who knows how long that will be?  And will your favorite restaurants be able to survive during the Great Pause?

It's Virtual Restaurant Week in my neighborhood!  Start the ordering!

The Edgewater Chamber of Commerce has you covered.  They are instituting Virtual Restaurant Week, from March 20-30 with an opportunity to support the local restaurants that do a great job all year round, and now need some of our business during this particularly tough time.

The hours and even the menus of some of the restaurants have changed, so be sure to check them out.  Also, many of them use alternative online delivery sources (Grubhub/Doordash/etc)  Please remember that those services do take a bite of the money, so if you can order directly from them, please do.

And tip generously!

To find out more, visit https://www.edgewater.org/events/edgewater-restaurant-week/

Virtual Restaurant Week Participants:

Alice and Friends’ Vegan Kitchen 5812 N Broadway (773) 275-8797 4pm-9pm, closed Tuesday Featuring: Gluten-free Chana Poke Bowl $11.50 Delivery: GrubHub, Caviar, Door Dash, Phone Pick up: Available http://aliceandfriendsvegankitchen.com/
Broadway Cellars 5900 N Broadway (773) 944-1208 Friday and Saturday 4pm-9pm Limited menu available at cellarsbarandgrill.com Pick Up: Available by phone or walk up
Burke’s Public House 5401 N Broadway (773) 944-1109 4pm-8pm daily Special Deal: Fridays Only, Fish Fry carry out $11.95 per order and package beer carry-out available Pick up: Available by phone order only http://www.burkespublichouse.com/
Cookies and Carnitas 5938 N Broadway 5pm-9pm Pick up: Available through GrubHub and Door Dash
Edgewater Mexican Café 1055 W Bryn Mawr Ave 773-944-0357 11am-10pm daily Featuring: Burrito with Chicken of Beef $14 Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Phone Pick up: Available https://www.edgewatermexicancafe.com/
Edgewater Tacos 5624 N Broadway (773) 944-0847 11am-9pm Monday-Saturday Featuring: $3 Tamales and $3 Churros Pick up: Available by phone orders or walk-up window https://www.edgewatertacos.com/
Ethiopian Diamond Restaurant 6120 N. Broadway 773-338-6100 11am-9pm daily Featuring:Free appetizer of Sambussa with any regular order. Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Phone, Delivery.com Pick up: Available by phone or website https://www.ethiopiandiamondrestaurants.com/
Farm Bar Edgewater 1133 W Granville Ave 773-303-8281 5pm-10pm, closed Monday Featuring: Pasture Raised “Classic” Burger $13.50 and Indiana White Cheddar & Kale Turkey Burger $14.50 Delivery: Available by phone Pick Up: Available by phone https://farm-bar.com
Fireside Restaurant & Lounge 5739 N Ravenswood Ave (773) 561-7433 12pm-12am daily Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Door Dash, Chow Now Pick Up: Available by phone or online
Flaco’s Tacos, Edgewater 1116-20 W Granville Ave (773) 262-8226 11am-8pm daily Featuring: Cold Beer Packages available for pickup or delivery. Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Caviar, Postmates, Door Dash Pick up: Available by phone and online http://flacostacosonline.com/
Francesca’s Bryn Mawr 1039 W Bryn Mawr Ave 773-506-9261 4pm-8pm daily Featuring: Family pack meals are available in varying sizes, Limited menu as shown online with some daily chef specialties. Delivery: Uber Eats, Door Dash Pick Up: Available by phone or website https://www.miafrancesca.com
Indie Café 5951 N. Broadway Street 773-561-5577 11:30am-10pm daily Special Deal: 15% off orders online at Indiecafe.us Delivery: Available by phone or website Pick up: Available by phone or website http://Indiecafe.us
Jerry’s Sandwiches 4739 N Lincoln Ave 872-208-6264 11am-8pm daily Featuring: Spiced Lamb Burger $14.95 and Cold Creole Meatloaf Sandwich $13.75 Pick up: Available by phone or website http://jerryssandwiches.com
Lickity Split Frozen Custard & Sweets 6056 N Broadway (773) 274-0830 12pm-10pm  daily Special Deal: Sweet Relief!  Buy one pint or quart of custard and get a second at half off (toppings not included). Delivery GrubHub, Uber Eats, Postmates Pick up: Available at the Broadway location http://www.lickitysplitchicago.com
Metropolis Coffee Company- Roasterie Location 3057 N Rockwell Ave (773)338-4904 9am-3pm Monday-Thursday Featuring: Freshly roasted coffee, mailed to you or available from our Roasterie location for curb-side pickup! Pick up: email:orders@metropoliscoffee.com, or call 773-338-4904 https://www.metropoliscoffee.com
Milo’s Pita 6141 N. Broadway 773-717-7699 11am-11pm, closed Sunday Featuring: Shawerma, Falafel, and Kabob sandwiches for $5.59 Pick Up: Available by phone http://www.milospita.site
Moody’s Pub 5901 N Broadway 773-329-5694 11:00am-10pm daily Delivery: GrubHub Pick up: Available by phone
Nookies Edgewater 1100 W Bryn Mawr Ave (773) 516-4188 8am-9pm daily Featuring: Breakfast for dinner! Delivery: GrubHub Pick up: available online or by phone
Nori Sushi at Edgewater 1235 W Devon Ave 773-262-5216 11am-9pm daily Special Deal: Lunch Bento Box, Dinner Bento Box, Ramen, Sushi and many more. Phone orders receive $5 off with purchase of $35 or more before tax & delivery charge. Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Postmates, Chow Now Pick up: Available by phone and website https://www.norichicago.com/
Pearl’s Southern Comfort 5352 N Broadway 773-754-7419 5pm-11pm daily Special Deal: 15% discount for call in/pick up orders Delivery: Uber Eats Pick up: Available and preferred by phone https://www.pearlschicago.com/
pHlour Bakery & Cafe 1138 W Bryn Mawr Ave (773) 293-6135 7am-3pm, closed Monday Pick up: Phone orders only https://www.phlour.com/
Pizzeria Aroma 5350 N Broadway (773) 769-4900 Pickup: 11:30am-10pm, Delivery 11:30am-11pm daily Special Deal: Family Deal – 16in pizza, tub of pasta and mozzarella sticks for $32.95 Delivery: 773-769-4900 or pizzeriaaroma.com Pick up:  Available773-769-4900 or https://www.pizzeriaaroma.com/
Ras Dashen Ethiopian Restaurant 5846 N Broadway 773-506-9601 11am-10:30pm, closed Tuesday Featuring: Veggie Sampler with a choice of 5 sides for $16 Delivery: Uber Eats, Caviar Pick up: Available by phone https://www.rasdashenrestaurantchicago.com
Rewired Café 3508 N Broadway 773-360-1621 9am-5pm daily Featuring: Small drip coffee $1.50 for delivery or pick up Delivery: GrubHub, Uber Eats, Postmates, and Ritual Pick up: Available by phone and preferred
Rice Thai Asian Kitchen 1136 W Thorndale Ave (773) 878-8060 1pm-9:30pm, closed Wednesday Pick up: Available by phone and GrubHub  ricethaiasian.com
Sauce and Bread Kitchen 6338 N. Clark 773-942-6384 11am-7pm Thurs-Sun Featuring: Eggs, breads, soups and ramen Pick up orders by phone and GrubHub https://www.sauceandbread.com/
SmackDab 6730 N Clark St. (872) 241-9111 8am-3pm Tuesday-Sunday and 5pm-9pm Thursday -Sunday Special Deal: 20% online orders with unlimited use promo code: quarentineQT Delivery: smackdabchicago.com Pick up: Available by phone and website https://smackdabchicago.com/
Susupuato Restaurant 6161 N. Broadway 773-761-4710 4pm-11pm daily Featuring: Taco Dinner: Three tacos with one choice of filling. Served with rice and beans or fries. $12-$16 Delivery: GrubHub, Postmates Pick up: Available by phone
Uncommon Ground 1401 W Devon Ave (773) 465-9801 11am-8pm, closed Monday Special Deal: 20% off in store pick up on food and $12 Growlers (64oz) or $6 Howlers (32oz) of Greenstar Beer. Delivery: GrubHub Pick up: Available by phone https://www.uncommonground.com/

Edgewater International Women's Day Crawl on March 8

I've recently joined my local Chamber of Commerce as a Board member.  (I was on the board of a different organization (The Edgewater Development Corporation) that merged with it, and they invited me to join the board of the combined organization.)  

I'm excited, because they (or I should say WE) do a lot of good work supporting our neighborhood and the businesses that populate our neighborhood, and that's a major feature of this part of Chicago.  I recently went to a visioning session for the Chamber, and we've got lots of plans going forward.  I want to be a part of the work to make my neighborhood a better place than when I got here.  And this is tangible.

One of the events they do (errr.. we do-- I'm going to have to remember this) is coming up, celebrating International Women's Day and the many woman-owned businesses in our community.  


This event is coming up Sunday March 8, and will offer fun and interactive (and often tasty) activities for participants.  It's a fundraising event, and some of the money will go to Loom Chicago, which is a non-profit that offers studio space, materials and workshops for women in the Chicago refugee community who can knit, crochet, weave, and sew.  

One of the women of Loom Chicago

These women can then sell these beautiful handmade products and make some money.  It's fiber arts social enterprise!

From 11 am -2 pm, participants can walk along the Broadway corridor and tour women-owned businesses, chat with owners (and Edgewater Chamber members), sample food and liquor (must be 21+ for liquor), interact with local women entrepreneurs,  and basically have a lot of fun!

Some of the women-owned businesses on the Crawl include:

Farm Bar
Chicago Mosaic School
Edge of Sweetness
Bark Bark Club
Ethiopian Diamond.

(other businesses will be added as well!)

Also, some of the women-run businesses providing hands-on activities include:

Smackdab
Greenstar Brewery
Work + Shelter
Loom Chicago.

The chamber anticipates 100-150 Edgewater residents, foodies, families, friends, and women-allies eager to experience the neighborhood and chamber members to participate in the neighborhood crawl.  All in all, it looks to be a great afternoon!

The International Women’s Day Crawl is open to the general public, all genders and all ages (must be 21+ to partake in liquor tastings). ​Tickets are available for purchase​ ($35 for general admission and $30 for chamber members) to participate in the crawl, help boost women-owned businesses in the neighborhood and give back to your community through the good work of Loom Chicago. 

For more information, please visit ​https://www.edgewater.org/events/international-dinner-crawl/ 

Hope to see you there!