Mayor Rahm Emanuel and the City’s Small Business Center encourage Chicagoans to shop local this weekend and throughout the holiday season.  To further support shopping local the City of Chicago has partnered with neighborhood Chambers of Commerce throughout Chicago to launch the 2013 Unwrap Chicago campaign. The campaign encourages residents to use locally owned independent businesses when shopping during the holiday season.

“Small-business owners contribute to their communities all year long by creating jobs, providing unparalleled products and services, and keeping communities healthy and vibrant. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy and the lifeblood of our neighborhoods, accounting for nearly half of Chicago’s jobs,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Shopping at local businesses during the holiday season is an opportunity for each of us to give back, to invest some of our hard-earned dollars back into our community. I encourage every Chicagoan to shop at small businesses this coming Saturday and throughout the year.”

“There are more than 50 events planned in neighborhoods throughout Chicago during the holiday season, which makes it easy to shop locally,” said Chief Small Business Officer Roxanne Nava, of Chicago’s Small Business Center. “Together, with Unwrap Chicago, we can keep millions of dollars in Chicago.”

Some local events happening throughout Chicago include:

Shop Black Friday Plus and Buy Local on Black Friday Nov. 29 – Dec. 1

Neighborhood: Chatham

Shop Black Friday Plus and Buy Local on Black Friday will be held throughout the Chatham neighborhood. Customers shopping at select local businesses will be rewarded with gift certificates

More information is at http://www.cbatechworks.org/BLACK-FRIDAY-PLUS-2013.HTML.

18 Days on 18^th Street

Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20

Neighborhood: Pilsen

18 Days on 18th Street kicks off with a tree lighting ceremony on Dec. 6 at at 5 p.m. at Plaza Tenochtitlan, 1800 S. Blue Island. On Dec. 13 from 6 to 10 p.m., a guided trolley tour of Pilsen businesses and murals will be running from Halsted Street to Damen Avenue. On Dec. 20, a Traditional Posada celebration will be held and will include visits to local businesses, caroling and piñatas and food. The Posada starts at 6 pm at 1919 S. Ashland Ave.

More information is at www.greaterpilsen.org.18days2013 

Holiday Bazaar

Saturday, Dec. 7, from 11 am to 2 pm.

Neighborhood: Bronzeville

The Bronze Bazaar and Trolley Tour is an opportunity for residents and visitors to get all their gifts in one day. Participants can sip some hot chocolate and buy unique gifts as a trolley visits some the local retailers. 

Do-Division Holiday

Date: Saturday, Dec. 7, to Sunday, Dec. 8, at 11 am.

Neighborhood: West Town

Shoppers are invited to take a break from big box shopping this holiday season and venture into one of Chicago's most charming and authentic retail corridors, West Division Street.  On Dec. 7 and 8, Division Street between Ashland and Leavitt is transforming into Do-Division Holiday for a neighborhood shopping extravaganza.  

More information is at www.do-division.com/do/holiday. 

Julmarknad

Dec. 7

Neighborhood: Andersonville, Edgewater, Uptown

During the yearly Julmarknad festival, the Swedish American Museum, 5211 N. Clark St., Chicago, features a handicrafts fair with traditional Swedish food and entertainment. In addition, select businesses join the fun with free music, refreshments and more.

For more information, visit www.SwedishAmericanMuseum.org or www.andersonville.org. 

More information on neighborhood events in Chicago this holiday season and the 2013 Unwrap Chicago campaign events can be found at www.eatdrinkbuylocal.org 

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