'The NoSh Guide' a Key to Finding Fun on the North Shore

There’s a strong sense of regionalism in the communities north of Chicago closest to Lake Michigan.

The “North Shore” is sometimes a loosely-defined region, but when you think of it, three things immediately come to mind.

Food, fun and festivities.

Those three categories are what make up ‘The NoSh Guide,’ a new hyperlocal list of restaurants/bars, festivities/events/activities and event planning options.

“I’ve noticed the division between towns on the North Shore is not that great,” said Sara McSpedon, founder of the site. “People from Glenview are going to Glencoe to get something to eat, and those from Winnetka often spend their leisure time up in Lake Forest or Lake Bluff.”

The site’s homepage currently has categories for restaurants and bars, a calendar and options for event planning. Featured events and businesses are also listed.

McSpedon’s connection to the region goes back to the last century, when she would help her father run Pops for Champagne in Highwood (which later moved to Chicago’s River North neighborhood). A career in hospitality ensued, and she would find herself working for MTV and its array of cable networks for a few years before moving back to the Shore earlier this decade.

“I was able to step back and revisit what I wanted to do next,” she said. “So I thought I’d use my experience in hospitality to bring something interesting to the North Shore. There wasn’t a huge outlet for event planning, dining and activities.”

Even when attempting to find something regional to do on a weekend with her own family had McSpedon checking 8-10 different websites.

“I had to spend about an hour on the internet,” she said. “With so much to do, there really was no central place to connect it all.”

Now, there is.

The NoSh Guide, which officially launched in October, has been well-received by area businesses and can take what was an hour-long task into a five minute discussion.

“The convenience factor is huge,” McSpedon said.