Black and White Ad Campaign Promotes Lake Forest Businesses

Smaller cities across the United States tend to promote shopping local as the holiday season approaches.

But while some look to current technology or the latest trends, the city of Lake Forest is taking their idea way back via a series of black and white photos highlighting local merchants.

The city-sponsored ad campaign - where portraits of store owners in their stores are taken by local photographer Kerri Sherman of Bloom & Focus - tells the story about locally-owned businesses, according to a city news release.

They invite shoppers to meet local business owners, like Ellen Stirling with the Lake Forest Shop. “So often I hear my customers say, ‘I should have started in Lake Forest.’,” said Stirling. “ Whether they are looking for the extraordinary dress, perfect casual separates and accessories, or the unique gift for the woman on your list, almost every week I hear, ‘I should have started here first.’”

Lake Forest has always had a strong local business community, with eight having been around for more than 100 years and 25 having been locally owned more than 25 years. Also, 60 percent of all Lake Forest businesses have been in the community for more than a decade.

The ads will be debut in the winter issue of the City’s Dialogue newsletter. The city’s Facebook page will also preview the campaign.

Businesses interested in joining the campaign should contact the City of Lake Forest at KelseyS@cityoflakeforest.com.