CHICAGO ( July 5, 2017 ) — The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce ( ACC ) is excited to announce the official launch of Andersonville First Fridays, a late-night, monthly event series beginning this Friday, July 7 from 6-10PM. In an effort to promote local shopping and dining, businesses will keep their doors open late to welcome visitors with promotions, refreshments, and special experiences on the first Friday of each month. This month's First Friday also coincides with the grand opening of Transit Tees at 5226 N. Clark.
"Just last month, Andersonville was voted Chicago's best overall neighborhood, and we remain a fantastic destination for local retail, quality dining, and more," said ACC's Executive Director Sara Dinges, "but for First Fridays, we're kicking it up a notch with an experiential shopping event throughout the neighborhood."
Already in 2017, Andersonville businesses have had great success in collaborating for neighborhood-wide shopping events such as February's "With Love from Andersonville" and April's3rd Annual Andersonville Flower Show.
"Some of the best features of Andersonville are the vibrant mix of small, locally-owned businesses and the wonderful residents who support us," said Murray & White co-owner and ACC Board Vice President JT Murray, who has helped craft the First Fridays event series. "One of the things I am most appreciative of, is how we as businesses do not stand in competition against each other, but rather united in support of one another."
Andersonville First Fridays kicks off this week with nearly 20 businesses on board to "stay up late." Information will continue to be updated on andersonville.org/firstfridays.
JULY'S PARTICIPATING BUSINESSES AND OFFERS INCLUDE:
Andersonville Brewing | Live acoustic music every First Friday
Andersonville Cryotherapy and Athletic Recovery Center | 5-9PM: Come and experience 'Better Health Below Zero' with an exhilarating Whole Body Cryotherapy session for a special First Friday rate of $30
Andersonville Galleria | 5:30-8PM | Meet the Makers Reception
Borderline Music | Open until 9PM
Candyality | Open until 9PM
CBD Kratom | Open until 10PM
The Coffee Studio | Open until 9PM
Foursided | Open until 9PM: 20% off candles from 6 — 9PM
Hamburger Mary's | 7:30PM & 9:30PM: "Dining with the Divas" drag revue show at 7:30PM & 9:30PM. Reservations recommended.
Jerry's | Jerry's staff will hand out free cookies ( while supplies last ) every 30 minutes or so, to everyone in the restaurant.
Martha Mae: Art Supplies & Beautiful Things | Open until 9PM
Murray & White | Open until 10PM: Stop by to meet owners JT and Travis, sip on free sangria while you shop, and sample sauces and jams from New Canaan Farms.
Presence, Inc. | Special in-store coupon after 6PM only!
Roost | Open until 10PM
Sidewinder Gallery | 7-9PM | "Pollinate" Opening Art Reception: Artists Juliana Purcell Sheehan, Robert Pioch, and Taylor B. Sommers present "Pollinate" as a platform to view and discuss the unseen connections between us all. Come expecting wine, beer, art and great conversation.
Swedish American Museum | Kerstin Andersson Museum Store| Open until 9PM: Shop late for your favorite Swedish gifts! Special offer: 20% off on T-Shirts.
Transistor | Open until 9PM
Transit Tees | Open until 9PM | Transit Tees will open their doors for the first time in Andersonville on July 7! Stop by the new location at 5226 N. Clark Street for free refreshments and special deals.
Women & Children First | 6-10PM | Shoppers will receive 15% off on any purchase of $25 or more when they check-in at the bookstore on Yelp or Facebook. Shoppers can also receive the discount for writing a "shelf-talker"—one of the beloved handwritten recommendation cards that visitors see tucked among the bookshelves at WCF.
Andersonville First Fridays will return on Friday, August 4 and highlight an urban block party and community dinner hosted in North Andersonville on Olive Street. Tickets for the event go on sale Monday, July 10. Future Andersonville First Fridays dates also include: September 1, October 6, November 3, and December 1.
The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce fosters a vibrant environment in which Andersonville businesses can thrive by attracting a diverse customer base; providing business support services and advocacy; and engaging in business attraction, long-range planning, and economic development. The Andersonville Chamber of Commerce will provide the Chicago Equality Rally a gathering space in conjunction with Andersonville Midsommarfest 2017. Any views expressed by individual speakers of the Chicago Equality Rally are independent of the views held by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce.
