iShop Chicago, a New Social Experience!

WHAT'S iSHOP CHICAGO ALL ABOUT? 

iShop Chicago was launched two years ago as a way to bring information about the best of the city to the Chicagoland community.  Our focus is three-fold:

First, iShop Chicago is dedicated to shining a spotlight on the best hot spots in Chicago, including restaurants, bars, retailers and event venues.  We believe Chicagoans will have a much better appreciation for their city if they simply knew where to go and what to do. 

Second, we have an ever-expanding community of loyal followers, shoppers and event attendees, many of which have supported our  POP! Events & Entertainment social events. iShop Chicago hosts various events throughout the year at many of the businesses we spotlight on our blog. Our private events offers iShop Chicago followers shopping, socializing and networking opportunities at Chicago area retailers and event venues.  All private events are designed by iShop Chicago event planners to offer exclusive 1-day only shopping deals, food & beverage specials and entertainment discounts.

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Third, our iShop Chicago private events are a huge hit!  Our events provide an additional marketing resource for Chicago area businesses.  Many businesses have experienced increased foot traffic by tapping into iShop Chicago's resources and customer base.  Not only are events attended by iShop Chicago's social community, they are also attended by tourists looking for interesting things to do while visiting Chicago.  Our events are also a fantastic platform to spotlight some of Chicago's smaller, independent and sometimes obscure businesses. 

HOW DO YOU DETERMINE WHICH BUSINESSES ARE SPOTLIGHTED?
We scour the city's north, south and west sides looking for interesting places to dine, shop and visit. We visit each venue and provide our followers feedback from a personal viewpoint. From time to time, we will spotlight businesses in neighboring Chicago communities, but our primary focus is within the city of Chicago.

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Additionally, we often ask you, our iShop Chicago community, for future review suggestions. If you have a favorite Chicago hot spot and would like us to review it, please send us the name, address, website, phone number of the business to ishopchicago@gmail.com. We'll be sure to mention your name in our review.  

 

 

WHEN ARE PRIVATE EVENTS HELD?
You simply never know when we will advertise a private event.  So, follow our blog to stay in the loop!  We suggest you register for events as soon as they are posted, as our events tend to fill up quickly.

MERCHANTS, RETAILS & VENUES
Consider hosting an iShop Chicago private event at your business.  Benefits:

• Increased foot traffic
• Promote new products and services
• Reduce excess overstocks and inventory
• Reach new local audience
• Use iShop Chicago's customer base to target new customers
• Benefit from iShop Chicago's social medial marketing tools and resources
• Past event partners: -  Neiman Marcus, Chicago South Loop Hotel, L26 Restaurant, Fabbri Furs, Beef & Brandy Restaurant, MySpa Chicago, Les Tableaux Fine China, SoNo Woodfired Pizza, CapitalOne 360, Steppenwolf Theatre and more!

For inquiries or to request a marketing kit, contact Regina Dillard - ishopchicago@gmail.com
 

Garfield Park Conservatory: Chicago's Best Kept Secret Is Out

I was amazed to discover many Chicagoans  have never visited the Garfield Park Conservatory.  If this is you, let me give you three reasons to visit. To start, the Conservatory is only a 15-minute drive from downtown Chicago, the flora and fauna is absolutely breathtaking and best of all, admission is free!  Yep, FREE!  Still not convinced? Ok, let me share my personal experience.  I've known about the Conservatory for many years, but wasn't sure what to expect.  One day I said to my 13-year-old, "let's visit the Garfield Park Conservatory today".  He gave me the side-eye and reluctantly agreed. I packed a light lunch for us and headed to the venue.  When we arrived, I was very happy to know there was plenty of free parking available on Central Park Avenue and in the adjacent parking lot. 

Upon entering the indoor botanical garden, my mouth hit the floor - slight exaggeration, but you get my point.  My first thought - what has taken me so long to visit?  Not only had I deprived myself of this extraordinarily beautiful garden, but I've deprived my children as well.   My first reaction - I immediately felt a sense of peace and serenity in this lush, green and beautiful haven.

The temperature inside the gardens is a bit warm and humid, as it mimics the tropics. There are faux waterfalls, streams and walkways which guides you through the entire garden.  There are also benches placed throughout the garden which allows you to take in all of its beauty.  However, it doesn't stop there.  The Conservatory offers an outdoor public garden and Demonstration Garden, a beautiful city-lot-sized working garden, to learn about community and organic gardening in Chicago.

 

Additionally, if you're planning a social gathering or special event, you couldn't ask for a more scenic backdrop for entertaining and photo-taking.

If that's not enough, here's the biggest sell.  As you know, Chicago winters can be brutal and downright depressing. A planned visit to the Garfield Park Conservatory can help rid you and your family of wintertime blues. Convinced? I hope so.  Please return to this blog page and share your experience. I'd love to hear about it.

Click on the link below to discover the beauty and wonder of Garfield Park Conservatory.

Other Details: Café and Gift Shop on Site, Kids Play Area, Volunteer Opportunities

 

 

 

VISIT GARFIELD PARK CONSERVATORY