Citing the potential impact on Evanston’s small businesses, City Council voted Monday to table a minimum wage increase and reject a contentious ban on cashless retailers and restaurants. Councilmembers debated a proposed ordinance that would set the minimum wage at $15.50 for businesses with four to 99 employees and at $16.25 for businesses with 100...| The Daily Northwestern
Two organizations of the UL safety testing enterprise welcomed about 200 workers to their new headquarters in downtown Evanston this month as the city’s central business district continues to grapple with rising office vacancies. Leaders from UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement celebrated the move from a suburban office park in Northbrook at...| The Daily Northwestern
The office vacancy rate in downtown Evanston has seen an uptick — and city officials warn the trend could continue unabated going into 2024. Evanston Economic Development Manager Paul Zalmezak said the downtown vacancy rate stood at 12.6% as of last week, compared to a rate around 11.3% earlier this year. Concerns have grown, Zalmezak...| The Daily Northwestern
As Bookends & Beginnings prepared for its grand re-opening Saturday morning, a line of customers began knocking at its door. Owner Nina Barrett straightened a few final books before swinging the doors open almost 10 minutes early. In flowed a stream of familiar faces. “This is a dream come true,” Barrett said, snapping pictures of...| The Daily Northwestern
