Small Business Saturday: Chicagoland

If you haven't heard yet, Saturday, November 27th, is Small Business Saturday - a day to shop locally and support your small businesses. It's about time! According to the U.S. Small Business Administration 99.7 percent of all the nation’s employer businesses are small businesses. Data also show that they employed 57.4 million Americans or 50.6 percent of the non-farm private sector workforce in 2005.

What is a small business, you may be wondering. SBA defines a small business as a concern that is organized for profit; has a place of business in the U.S.; operates primarily within the U.S. or makes a significant contribution to the U.S. economy through payment of taxes or use of American products, materials or labor; is independently owned and operated; and is not dominant in its field on a national basis. The business may be a sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or any other legal form. In determining what constitutes a small business, the definition will vary to reflect industry differences.

Basically, it's not a chain store. But I like to focus on the really small, local businesses. So here is my list of suggestions for places to visit this Saturday if you live in the Chicagoland area - -  they are the businesses I shop at, the ones run and operated by the people who conceived of them, the Mom and Pops, especially green and fair trade focused:

Oak Park - 

Green Home Experts: Home goods store with many everyday items, and some fun, unique gifts. We bought some green school supplies there.

Geneva - 

Peaceful Parlour: New green store with lots of great gifts. Just bought some unbelievable glass straws for the stockings.

Evanston - 

Healthy Green Goods: Home goods store with the added expertise of owner and Doctor, Marny Turvill. 

Andersonville - 

The Galleria: a great selection of products from many of the smallest, most independent businesses around.

Green Genes: Babies, kids, adults, great gifts and lots of one of a kind fun stuff.

Women and Children First: Excellent book store, longtime Andersonville favorite.

Lincoln Square - 

The Book Cellar: local bookstore that supports local authors.

Northcenter - 

Bellybum Boutique: Mom and baby boutique. I like to get stuff for myself at this store. Mommy needs nice things too!

Hyde Park - 

The Fair Trader: definitely the place for gift buying and giving.

Running around shopping and need to refuel? Try one of these local favorites with yummy, local, organic, gluten free, vegan or any combination of these kinds of foods.

Drew's Eatery

Ranalli's of Andersonville

Uncommon Ground (Edgewater/Wrigleyville)

Need more suggestions on local small businesses to patronize?

Local Chicago First

Mindful Metropolis

Please leave your comments on your local favorites.

Happy Shopping!

Green Genes: Helping the Planet One Purchase at a Time

When you walk into Green Genes on 5111 Clark Street you'll find a bit of whimsy, a bit of charm, fun gifts for adults, cool stuff for tots - - and it's all good for Planet Earth!

When Heather and Tina, owners of Green Genes, decided to start their own retail business in Andersonville, there was no question it would be an environmentally responsible store as both ladies are very conscious of their planetary impact. With Heathers extensive background with children and art, they decided on "Green Genes," a store that focuses on green products for children and families. But when you take a closer look, it's so much more.

Caring and Well Educated Staff. First, the staff is exceptionally educated on the latest trends in health, safety, and environment. Many products are the latest, safest items for baby and family, from BPA free bottles to chemical free lotions and soaps that are great for the whole family.

Vintage. Take a moment to look around and you'll also find many vintage treasures. My two favorites are the vintage globes and the original Fischer Price little people. Brings back fond childhood memories. I'd buy both for myself (don't tell my kids!).

Local - Art. Green Genes is a great place to find local art and local products you aren't likely to find anywhere else. You can't get more local than the awesome prints (normally only found at art galleries) by Otto who lives right above the store! Green Genes also features artwork by artist in the neighborhood, Chicagoland, and Illinois. Heather herself has many collages and other unique and whimsical pieces. Some art can be personalized and even reproduced from your children's drawings. Many products are made locally. You can find cute outfits by The Pig Pen, made from upcycled fabrics; superhero capes and cravats (neck warmers) by Baby Hobo/Evanston; organic tot and baby clothing by Chicago business Chapter One Organics; and the ever popular and unique "Sweater Dudes" repurposed from sweaters by Green Gene's own Heather Muenstermann, just to name a few!

Everyday Needs. Green Genes also carries toys, books, clothing, dolls, cards, notepads, water bottles, diapers, hats, gloves, lunch box accessories, educational games, and much more.

Socially/Environmentally Responsible Business. Of course the Owners of Green Genes don't stop there. The store is decorated with VOC paint and vintage hardware, and the floors and counter are made from bamboo. They reuse boxes for shipping and generate less than 1 bag of garbage per week. During Andersonville's first annual Green Week this July, they collected old electronics, including PC's and accessories, VCR's, cell phones and more, that filled up 2 SUV's! Green Genes is also a proud sponsor of Chicago beach cleanups.

This holiday season check out Green Genes for some unique gifts and return for some great everyday products. No matter what you find, it's sure to be good for you and the planet!

Green Genes located at 5111 N. Clark Street, just south of Foster. The store is open Tuesday through Sunday (10am - 6pm Tues., Thur., Fri.,Sat.; 10am - 7pm Wed. and 12pm - 5pm Sunday) You can also shop online at http://store.green-genes.com/. Or call 773 944 9250 for more information.

Originally published in the Mindful Metropolis Mindful Business Matters series by Alexandra Gnoske.

Eco-chickagoan Event!

Chickagoan - the go to website for all things healthy, wealthy, and wise for the ChicKago woman - is hosting the "Eco-Chickagoan: Incredibly Healthy Organically Fabulous" event on Tuesday, November 16th, at Bull and Bear, downtown Chicago.

This first annual event connects Chickagoan women with green living vendors for some organic drinks, eco networking, and green education!

Part of the Chickagoan mission is to encourage the women of Chicago by connecting and sharing with other Chicago women. And here is your opportunity - at the FREE event where you will find other Chickagoans who are interested in healthy, spiritual, active lives in the City.

There will be raffles and prizes as well as eco goody bags for the first 25 guests. Bring a friend, bring a colleague, and join your peers at Bull and Bear on 431 N. Wells from 6pm - 9pm. Check out the local green scene and find out what's going on!