As part of the Main-Dempster Mile Holiday Open House this year, 20 different shops will hold events and sales from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9 and will feature a tour of holiday trees decorated by local families and businesses.

Some of the district’s newest businesses like Yasotorn Thai Cuisine and Trapdoor Studio will join neighborhood favorites such as Botanica CBD, Homestead Meats, Follow Your Nose, Belgian Chocolatier Piron and Evanston Stitchworks for the event. In-store events range from a candle sale at Stumble & Relish to a community shopping event, with a portion of the night’s sales going to local pet rescue C.A.R.E. Free hot chocolate will be provided by Blind Faith Café.

The Main-Dempster Mile will provide a Google map of participating stores and events on the web page and social media channels. The current list is subject to change. 
 
In addition to the open house, the map will include directions to almost 30 trees in the district that have been decorated by local families and businesses as part of the MDM’s Holiday Tree Decorating Contest. 

Three $100 prizes will be awarded to three winning trees as part of the contest. Two prizes will be awarded by judges. One prize will be awarded for the most “likes” on the contest’s Facebook voting page. All trees will have photos on the voting page as of Dec. 9 and voting will close on Dec. 17.