Evanston Needs More Retail, Officials Say

Evanston officials have expressed a desire to see more retail business in the city during a recent Economic Development committee meeting.

Evanston Now reports City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said the city is trying to promote its quality of place and “attract distinctive new businesses” such as the Little Beans Cafe that opened earlier this month on Asbury Street.

With competition for national retailers fierce at Old Orchard and other malls to the west, aldermen came up with some suggestions on how to improve the retail scene with regional or local outlets.

Sixth Ward Alderman Mark Tendam suggested reaching out to Bonobos, an online clothing retailer with Guideshops (places where customers can try on clothes and order them for home delivery) in some locations like Lincoln Park.

Seventh Ward Alderman Jane Grover shared her vision for a retail shop to replace the Pret a Manger restaurant that recently closed at the Church and Sherman intersection.

She would “love to see something retail there” while adding in her desire for more sporting goods stores to come to Evanston.

Read more via Evanston Now