Naperville’s independent business community gets set to wrap up Waldo for another year

Above /  Waldo, the famous 30-year-old fellow, hasn’t aged a bit since he entered the local scene six years ago in his striped shirt and black-rimmed specs to help raise awareness for independent businesses. Where will you spot Waldo? Scroll down this page to “play freely” for updated list of participants.

UPDATE July 17, 2018 / The 2018 Tour de Independents to promote the shop locally movement with Waldo will end July 31. This year’s “kid-prize” drawing again is set for 11AM Aug. 1. For 2018, that’s a Wednesday. Be sure to turn “passports” denoting 12 visits to local participating independents into Anderson’s Bookshop in downtown Naperville by the end of the day on Tues., July 31, 2018.

UPDATE July 30, 2017 / By the end of the business day at 9PM on July 31, the so-called “passports” that represent Waldo sightings are to be turned into Anderson’s Bookshop in order to be entered into the kid-friendly prize drawing on Tues., Aug. 1. The Where’s Waldo Wrap Up will begin at 11AM at the store located at 123 W. Jefferson. It’ll be brief.

That means all day Mon., July 31, players can still hit the local independent business community running to find where Waldo is hiding inside 12 different establishments of the ones listed below.

Since July 1, the annual search has been on throughout the community to remind folks of the importance of spending local dollars where your heart is… right in your hometown.

Thanks to all who shop, dine, bank and entertain locally— and whenever possible, thanks for supporting independent enterprises that display the bright red IndieBound Naperville sign.

Waldo was spotted showing some independents in Knoch Park at Ribfest 2017!

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Hey, kids and kids at heart! Get set to search for Waldo throughout Naperville when the popular character returns inside to promote the local independent business community July 1-31.  Watch for updates of Waldo’s whereabouts and some new twists to play throughout the month.

Meanwhile, beginning July 1, free entry sheets with info that includes participating independent businesses (and some surprise locations) will be available at Anderson’s Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., where all ages are welcome to pick up an entry to help youngsters play for a chance to win kid-friendly prizes.

Back for round six, July 1-31

Waldo will be on the loose throughout the IndieBound-Naperville community all during July.  Since the summer of 2012, the familiar character clad in his red-and-white striped shirt has hidden in a multitude of independently-owned stores and businesses in Naperville.

It’s all part of the sixth annual Where’s Waldo? on Main Street, USA, a national campaign of Candlewick Press and the American Booksellers Association.

According to American Booksellers Association Past President Becky Anderson, of Naperville’s independent bookstore, Anderson’s Bookshop, “Find Waldo Local celebrates the uniqueness, fun and strength of community.”

So Where’s Waldo?  Find his likeness placed high and low inside many restaurants, retail shops and websites all throughout Naperville. Of course, those places of business also are where you’ll see the bright red Indie Bound Naperville sign.

Waldo fans will note the famous 30-year-old fellow hasn’t aged a bit since he entered the scene in his striped shirt and black-rimmed specs. And he’s making a comeback and the NEWS by visiting different local businesses at locations north, east, west and south.

Individuals who spot him 12 times and keep track can win bragging rights and prizes, including buttons, books and more.

From Anderson’s Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave. to Heaven on Seven at 223 S. Main St., from Second Chance Resale at 1512 N. Naper Blvd. to First Community Financial Bank and Casey’s Foods in Naperville Plaza, and many more stops such as Dean’s Fine Clothing in downtown Naperville, Waldo cut-out figures will be standing up for independents.

Find Waldo in 12 places for a chance to win a prize

Collecting “I found Waldo” cards in 12 or more businesses and turning them in at Anderson’s will win a Waldo button and an entry for other, larger prizes to be drawn after the promotion ends on July 31. Pay attention for updates and other Waldo news coming soon.

A Grand Prize will include a basket of kid-friendly items and gift certificates.

Individuals who prefer a shorter version of the hunt can collect the cards from eight businesses and pick up a collectible Waldo button at Anderson’s Bookshop.

Why Waldo?

Waldo is the creation of Martin Handford, whose entertaining drawings of crowd scenes swept the world in 1987. Since then, the Where’s Waldo books have held a cherished spot on book shelves in children’s rooms and bookstores the world over. More than 55 million Waldo books are now in print worldwide and they’ve been translated into 18 languages. An entire generation of moms, dads and their children have grown up searching for Waldo and his cast of wandering companions.

In celebration of Waldo’s longevity and popularity, his American publisher, Candlewick Press, teamed up with the American Booksellers Association and 250 independent bookstores all across the country, including Anderson’s Bookshop here in Naperville, to have fun and encourage people to visit local businesses.

In the spirit of independence, play freely

There is no charge to participate, and the game lasts for the entire month of July. For more information about IndieBound Naperville, visit www.indieboundnaperville.org.  Note: As of June 29, 2017, the following businesses have signed up to participate in the Find Waldo fun. But any independent member of IBN can participate, listed here or not. Just ask where you see the bright red shop local sign.

Play online, too

To receive credit for finding Waldo at Positively Naperville, simply write on a card that you saw this online post dated July 1, 2017, hidden here on the Positively Naperville website with the code “Shop local independents/PN.” It’s that easy.

Other independent IBN member businesses without an accessible storefront may opt to use their websites, too, using the same code for credit: “Shop local independents/(web address).”

Monthly meetings at Kreger’s (rhymes with beggars)

Note also that IndieBound Naperville usually meets on the first Monday of the month except when a holiday falls that day. (For 2017, meetings are July 10, August 7, Sept. 11) at 6PM at Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus, 605 N. Ellsworth at Center St.

For more information, visit and like facebook.com/IndieboundNaperville or any of the participating merchants. Check back to www.positivelynaperville.com for updates, too.

And if you’re an independent business owner or manager, join the fun to help promote the shop locally movement and be listed at www.indieboundnaperville.org. For $80, help spread the independent word via the bright red sign.