Way before downtown Naperville became known for its holiday art displays, Century Walk sculptures, Edward Hospital Marathon or its Riverwalk running through it, the DuPage River attracted settlers who began developing this city’s hub in 1831, one step at a time.
Main Street Promenade East, located at Main and Van Buren, just steps from the Van Buren Parking Deck, welcomes new merchants to downtown Naperville. And during holiday festitivites, folks can count on free trolley rides throughout town. Listen for the Ding! Ding! and “Trolley-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.”
In 2014, much progress is present after years of planning in this popular destination, adding new vitality to the historic landscape just in time for the changing seasons and special holiday events.
Discover many new merchants in downtown
Since mid-August, the streetscape in downtown Naperville has been opening up with more happenings and opportunities to shop, dine and be entertained day by day.
New retailers in Main Place and Main Street Promenade East add to the variety of attractive established merchants such as Dean’s Fine Clothing, Anderson’s Bookshop and Quigley’s Irish Pub. Note also that Hugo’s Frog Bar and Fish House in the original Main Street Promenade is celebrating its first decade as part of the mix. And Catch 35 is conveniently located to the new shops, too, at the corner of Van Buren and Washington.
- ME Spa (formerly Coldwater Creek the Spa) is now open at 55 S. Main Street, 2nd floor in the Main Street Promenade. J. Jill is also open along Van Buren.
- Ever Eve, DavidsTea, J. Crew, Anthropologie and Frost Gelato are now open at 50 S. Main Street in the new Main Street Promenade East.
- Naf Naf Grill recently moved and is now open at 22 E. Chicago (corner of Chicago & Washington) in River Square.
- Michael Graham Salon & Spa is slated to open its doors by the end of the year.
- Regus Business Centre is now open with “ready-to-go” offices on the second level of Main Street Promenade East.
- Many new businesses will be open in time for the holiday season!
On October 3 the doors to Anthropologie opened along Main Street. Anthropologie, a shop featuring women’s clothing, accessories and home decor, is located next door to J. Crew. Now Main Street is enhanced with four blocks of shopping and dining opportunities all the way from the Main Street Bridge at Chicago Avenue to Benton Avenue.
Plus, throughout every week, every month all year, Anderson’s Bookshop hosts myriad special booksigning events, bringing many world-renown authors and their loyal readers to the bookstore at 123 W. Jefferson Avenue as well as to stages at North Central College, etc.
In most months, on the first Tuesday, the West Suburban Irish host a trivia Quiz Night beginning at 7PM at Quigley’s Irish Pub.
On a selected Tuesday of the month, Heaven on Seven hosts 5-course beer dinners, featuring selections from a different craft brewery paired with New Orleans-style cooking.
Finding fun entertainment in downtown Naperville happens during the week, too.
For more information about these businesses and special calendar dates, visit www.downtownnaperville.com. For details about the shopping opportunties at Main Street Promenade, visit www.mainstreetpromenade.com.
Did you see it? At 5AM Thurs., Sept. 23, the CBS Mobile2 vehicle rolled into downtown Naperville for a live broadcast. Click for the story.
Get Away to Naperville
For information about planning a weekend getaway with an overnight stay at the independent, locally-owned Hotel Arista in CityGate Centre or another Naperville hotel, visit the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
For complete details and updates including all the festivities planned in downtown businesses, visit www.downtownnaperville.com.
Kick off 2014 Holiday Season during November
In 2012, a showcase of fiberglass snowmen decorated by local artists rolled into the downtown streetscape for the holidays, followed in 2013 by tasty-looking gingerbread men (and women) sculptures.
A Marathon of activities
Wander through the shops downtown, enjoy live music and seasonal decorations and find early-bird holiday savings, special sales and surprises.
The introduction of the attractive train sculpture display on Nov. 7 arrived just in time to welcome the Edward Hospital Naperville Marathon & Half Marathon on Nov. 9. Downtown visitors watched the runners and stayed for brunch, lunch or dinner. Chew! Chew! Chew! For Naperville Marathon results, visit www.naperville26.com.
J. Jill returned to Naperville, opening in early November along Van Buren (corner of Webster & Van Buren) where Hot Mama (now Ever Eve) used to be in the Main Street Promenade.
All the new merchants will be open in time for the holiday shopping season. All the new merchants will accept Downtown Naperville gift cards, available for purchase at at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (Main Street Promenade, suite 351); Heaven on Seven (224 S. Main Street), Elan Boutique (143 E. Jefferson) or Twisted Olive (232 S. Washington).
Find Haldie now!
The centerfold of the November issue of PN includes the official entry form for “Find Haldie!”
Visitors to the Century Walk mural located along Rubins Way are welcomed to find dozens of Haldie images in all sizes for a chance to be part of the colorful scene. The value is $1,000 per Century Walk pricing; plus, your claim to fame will last more than 15 minutes.
For complete details, stop by Dean’s. Follow updates on this website using the “Search for Something” tool. For more info, call Century Walk at (630) 355-5553. Take the challenge and have fun!
Washington Street Holiday Market & Discovery Weekend Nov. 21-23
Washington Street Holiday Market returns Nov. 21-23. The weekend of festive shopping fun will be hosted by Room 363 and Little Luxuries, featuring more than 40 vendors with vintage and holiday merchandise, unique gifts with holiday flair. Hours: 5:30-9PM Friday, 9AM – 9PM Saturday and 9AM – 4PM Sunday. $5 entry fee Friday night with live music. No entry fee Saturday and Sunday. INFO: visit room363.net.
Barnes & Noble also will host Discovery Weekend at the bookstore located at 47 E. Chicago Avenue.
Downtown Thanksgiving Weekend
Fast forward to Thanksgiving weekend when the Naperville Noon Lions again will host their annual Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27.
Celebrate a good run with cheers at Quigley’s Irish Pub after the Turkey Trot until noon.
And from 5-9PM Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays beginning on Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, Naper Lights, a holiday light display will light up Naper Settlement. Sponsored by Marquette Companies and Ryan Hill Realty, the display, a fundraiser hosted by Naperville Sunrise Rotary, will feature several giant holiday light displays, decorated light poles and trees within the grounds of the museum village. The event is free to the public and donations to Naperville Sunrise Rotary will be welcomed. For info, visit www.naperlights.com.
Downtown Naperville will celebrate Small Business Saturday all day on Sat., Nov. 29. Discover Downtown Naperville’s many wonderful small and independently-owned businesses. Shop locally and find an array of unique gifts at downtown’s many quaint family-owned businesses that have their names right out front such as Dean’s Fine Clothing, Anderson’s Bookshops, Lou Malnati’s, Gotskind’s, Quigley’s Irish Pub—you name it.
Then top off the holiday weekend all day with family-focused live entertainment in downtown Naperville beginning at noon and adding to the festivities until the Little Friends Parade of Lights returns at 5PM on Sun., Nov. 30.
All through the day and night and year… Downtown Gift Cards
No matter what the season, Downtown Naperville Gift Cards make sensible, usable gifts for anyone for any special occasion “or just because,” said Wood.
Redeemable at more than 150 downtown shops, spas and restaurants, Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased for any amount from $10-$500. Every DNA Gift Card comes enclosed in a bright and colorful jacket along with a list of all the businesses where it may be used. No fee is attached to the purchase of a Downtown Naperville Gift Cards.
Downtown Naperville gift cards may be purchased in person at the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce (Main Street Promenade, suite 351); Heaven on Seven (224 S. Main Street), Elan Boutique (143 E. Jefferson) or Twisted Olive (232 S. Washington). For convenience, individuals also may purchase gift cards online atdowntownnaperville.com to be mailed to the purchaser or recipient.
Katie Wood, Executive Director of the Downtown Naperville Alliance; and Ruth Yackley, BBM Incorporated, contributed events and store opening dates to this story.
