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!

Drew's Eatery: Eco Knowledge Month

Can't wait for Spring? Get yourself ready for a happier, healthier Spring at Drew's Eatery, your source for local, organic, sustainable and naturally delicious food. Drew's is hosting Eco Knowledge Month to help you learn more about what to eat, what you wear, and how to live a healthier life!

March 12th is Vegan Night from 7PM - 9PM which includes Drewlicious food at a discount, free music, and Chicago Soy Dairy will be offering samples! Vegans and Meat lovers have plenty of choices and can be satisfied in one place.

March 15th is Lunch and Learn with Pro-Holistic Institute. Have a free lunch and learn from Dr. Rae Bouvin about how stress affects the body and what you can do to feel better and enjoy life more. Please rsvp, space is limited 773 279 9344.

March 19th is Know What you Wear with Recycle Me from 7pm - 9pm. Recycle Me will be sharing information about the quality of your clothing and answering questions. Did you know only 1% of cotton is grown organically? The rest is heavily sprayed! Clothing will be available at a discount and Drew's food and special drinks will be available.

ALL MONTH Live Green Membership Drive. Stop in and learn more about Live Green Chicago and the benefits you can receive by becoming a member.

Holiday Green Guide: Interviews with Green Business Owners

Interview with Andrew Baker

Andrew Baker is the Owner of Drew's Eatery, located in the North Central neighborhood of Chicago, at 2207 W. Montrose, where you can find yummy, healthy and satisfying treats any time of year.

RM: When did you open Drew's Eatery?

AB: March 14th, 2009.

RM: How would you describe your Eatery? What makes Drew's Drew's?

AB: It's an eatery with an emphasis on Organic, Local, and Natural foods. What makes it Drew's is that we offer a healthier choice for life's simple pleasures, using eco friendly packaging and to go supplies. Our menus are printed on brown paper bags and we take time to find environmentally responsible alternatives for our everyday supplies.

RM: What inspired you to start this yummy Eatery?

AB: When I lived in San Francisco for a couple of years I learned a lot about local and organic foods and just became more ecologically aware. That's just how I think about things now.

RM: How have things changed, if at all, since you opened last Spring?

AB: More and more customers who come in are educated and aware of their environmental impacts. We have a lot of families who are regulars here because it is important to them to raise their children in a healthy, more environmentally aware manner.

RM: What are your goals through your business?

AB: To make a difference while making a profit.

RM: What's next? Long term I would love to expand, but today it is day by day, building our business and getting the word out about Drew's.

Drew's Eatery serves items such as vegan and all natural beef hot dogs, vegetarian and meat chili, so it's a place where families and friends with different dietary palates can all be happy together. They also serve seasonal treats like pumpkin ice cream and a pumpkin non-dairy cream. And did I mention their food is delicious?

You can visit Drew's Eatery Tuesday through Sunday at 2207 W. Montrose Ave. You can also become a fan of Drew's on Facebook. You'll get updates on different seasonal treats, FB promotions, and invitations to some wonderful local artisan openings hosted by Andrew.

Mr. Baker grew up in Palm Springs, CA. He currently resides in Logan Square with his partner David Vail of Hazel Inc. (just East on Montrose) of 17 years, who share their pad with dogs Rocky and George.