Filed under: EVENTS!, HEALTH!, Non-Profit of the Month
During the month of November, Eye Spy Optical will be collecting non-perishable, unexpired food items! Drop off your donation and receive a $25 discount on a pair of glasses!!!
One of Chicago’s largest and longest-operating food pantries, Lakeview Pantry’s mission is to eliminate hunger and poverty in our community by providing food to fill the basic need of hungry people; increasing the independence of our clients through self-help initiatives and other innovative programs; and raising awareness of hunger and poverty and working towards solutions to eliminate them.
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1 in 9 people on the North Side suffers from food insecurity.
With 3 food distribution programs that deliver more than 1.6 million pounds of food to our neighbors each year and social services that help clients achieve independence, Lakeview Pantry aims to end hunger for good. Join us to be part of the solution.
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How Can You Help:
There is a greater need for the following items:
- Canned Tuna, Chicken, and Beef
- Cereal and Oatmeal
- Ramen and Rice
- Microwavable Mac & Cheese and Soup
- Toiletries- Full and Sample Sizes
All non-perishable, unexpired food items are appreciated!
Consider donating modest sizes. For example; several 24oz cans are preferable to one 64oz can, easier to carry home.
For more information, please visit them online and follow them on Facebook.
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Filed under: EVENTS!, KIDS!, Non-Profit of the Month
October Donation Drive Benefiting: Share Our Spare!
During the month of October, Eye Spy Optical will be collecting new/gently used items for babies and children age 0-5. Drop off your donation and receive a $25 discount on a pair of glasses!!!
In 2011, ten Chicago mothers realized that they had more than enough “stuff” for their own children to grow and thrive and that there were plenty of other women in their community who could use the strollers, baby clothes and extra toys that their children had outgrown. They banded together to create a non-profit organization that would help mothers in Chicago who couldn’t afford to gather all the essentials for their babies and young children and Share Our Spare was born.
How Can You Help:
There is a greater need for the following NEW items:
- Diapers size 2, 3 and 6
- New packages of boys and girls underwear size 2T-5T
- Pacifiers
Have additional items to share? Share Our Spare will also be collecting:
| NEW OR GENTLY USED: |
NEW / UNUSED ITEMS: |
- All Clothing and Outerwear (ages 0-5T)
- Baby Carriers
- Baby Swings
- Pack and Plays
- Blankets (Stroller or Swaddle Size)
- Bundle Me
- Exersaucers
- High Chairs
- Play Mats/Activity Gyms
- Strollers
- Books
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- Diapers (all sizes)
- Baby Soap and Lotion
- Bottles
- Burp Cloths/Bibs
- Diaper Cream
- Pacifiers
- Wipes
- Small Educational Toys
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For more information, please visit www.shareourspare.org or contact info@shareourspare.org.
“Nearly ½ of all children living in greater Chicago live below the federal poverty level. Sadly, parents are faced with heartbreaking decisions such as reusing diapers and going without food. Chicago offers an unparalleled network of social service agencies to support these families in education and training, job placement, housing and food. However, no organization provides reliable cost-free essentials for the early years like diapers, clothing and gear.”
Share Our Spare also collects donations at their River West warehouse located here. They work with over 20 community partners to distribute newborn kits and other collected items to families in need and put all that “spare” kid gear to good use.
Visit Share Our Spare’s website and follow on Facebook and Instagram to stay updated and inspired!
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Filed under: EVENTS!
Get Your Boogie On…AGAIN!!!
Join Eye Spy Optical on Thursday, July 21 for Lakeview Live Concerts on the Curb!
Iris the Airstream had a wonderful time at the June concert! She will be on vacaction in Wisconsin this year, but we will still have plenty of eyewear and sunglasses:-)
This fabulous event is being hosted by the Lakeveiw Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Music Exchange and Lagunitas Brewing Company and businesses up and down the block will be gettin’ their groove on to celebrate with sidewalk sales, pop-ups etc!
The bands were great and there were tons of activities for the kiddos – including a GIANT Connect 4 board that you have to see to believe!
And there was beer! Did we mention the beer? Lagunitas was pouring some of their best and most delicious beverages. You definitely won’t want to miss out on that!
AND again….since Iris’s favorite season is summer, we will be giving all of our lovely customers 10% off any sunglasses purchase during the concert!
Details Schmetails:
Who’s Playin’?
When are they Playin’? Thursday July 21st. Things will get started at 5:30pm and will wrap up at 8:30pm.
Where are they Playin’? The band will be set up at the corner of Paulina and Lincoln Ave, but there will be fun stuff going on up and down the street!
Could it possibly be free? YES!!!! The concert is free to any and all who get their butts on down here!
Where are my dancin’ shoes? I don’t know…but you better find them!
You can find more info about the concerts at www.concertsonthecurb.com and on their facebook page.
Stay tuned for info about August 18th’s event!
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Filed under: Rapp, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Tom Daniels, owner of Sam & Willy’s
Tom is sporting a snazzy Dean frame by Canadian eyewear company, Rapp. They are known for their unique materials and cool shapes.
Tom is the owner extraordinaire of Sam & Willy’s which is, in our opinion, the best pet shop around. He is a long time animal lover, but when he and his lady added a dog who had some special nutritional needs to their family (they already had 2 cats), he realized that there weren’t any places where he could get what he needed for his pup. So he did what many business owners do, and started the very business he had been looking for, a neighborhood pet store where people could get nutritious food and pet supplies, and a little advice from knowledgable staff. He named the store after that dog, Sam, and his cat Willy.
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Fun Facts About Tom:
How long have you been in business? 12 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Farrah Fawcett
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dolphin
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Grey
Where did you grow up? Cleveland, OH
What hood do you live in now? Lincoln Square
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Tom’s favorite part of owning Sam & Willy’s is helping people who come into his store looking for help with a particular issue that their pet is having, educating and connecting with his customers. He also loves being a part of the community, working with many of the local animal rescue groups. His is not a shop where you feel like an anonymous shopper, Tom wants to work with you to make sure your pet’s needs are being met.
Sam & Willy’s will be celebrating its 12 year anniversary this Spring, so stop in, say hi and pick a treat for the furry animal in your life!
Sam & Willy’s * 3405 N. Paulina St. Chicago Il 60657 * 773-404-0400
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Filed under: Anne et Valentin, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Luke Karl, VP at Dinkel’s Bakery
Anne et Valentin makes wearable frames in some great color combos like this orange and black D-Mo frame that Luke is wearing.
Dinkel’s was opened by Joseph K. Dinkel and his wife Antonie opened Dinkel’s Bakery in 1922. He was a master baker in Germany and after immigrating to Chicago, they set out to start their own bakery.
Since then, Dinkel’s has become a Chicago institution and is now being operated under the third generation of Dinkels with Joseph’s son -Norman, his grandson Eric, and his grand daughter and her husband – Sandgren and Luke running the show.
They have kept tradition alive, using many of Joseph’s original recipes still to this day.
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Fun Facts About Luke:
How long has the Dinkel’s been in business? Since 1922
How long ave you been working there? 2008
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? My idol was Wynton Marsalis
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Peregrine Falcon
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Brown
Where did you grow up? Kansas City, KS
What hood do you live in now? Lakeview
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Dinkel’s Bakery has expanded thanks to the wonders of the internet and now people who grew up eating delicious goodies from Dinkel’s can now buy them and serve them to their families no matter where they live by visiting www.dinkels.com.
Dinkel’s is the kind of bakery that puts a smile on your face. Just one bite of deliciousness and you will be hooked!
Dinkel’s Bakery * 3329 N. Lincoln Ave. Chicago Il 60657 * 773-281-7300
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Filed under: Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Alissa Fields, Queen of Specs at Eye Spy Optical
Alissa is wearing her signature Theo Cinquante in Hot Pink. The bright color really pops on this classic shape and is anything but ordinary – just like Alissa!
Also known ’round these parts as The Queen of Specs, Alissa is the colorful and funky owner of Eye Spy Optical.
Eye Spy Optical came into being after many fruitless searches for red and purple glasses. Realizing that there was a lack of fun, colorful and funky glasses in Chicago, Alissa (a.k.a the Queen of Specs) decided that the folks in Chicago deserve glasses that have some personality!
Since Alissa was a kid, she wanted to start her own business. She had lemonade stands, worked in retail starting at 4 years old in her grandparents’ lamp store and earned an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis. Alissa’s parents’ design background guided her interests towards well-designed and beautiful objects. The Queen of Specs wore glasses since the age of 12, and always helped her friends pick out their specs. One day, it finally dawned on her … she would love to have an eyeglass shop and fit people with spectacular specs.
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Fun Facts About Alissa:
How long have you been in business? 17 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? Charlie Sheen
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Mandarin Fish
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What color are your eyes? Hazel
Where did you grow up? Rogers Park, Lakeview, Glencoe, Wilmette and Evanston…Whew!
What hood do you live in now? Mayfair
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Alissa and her staff pride themselves in outfitting customers with frames that are bit out-of-the-ordinary. Many of their customers say that they are surprised at what eyeglasses they choose for them. They always hear how much our customers love their new glasses, how many compliments they receive, how much fun they had picking out frames…and how they will return to Eye Spy again and again!
They stock frames in every color of the rainbow, and sell more red and purple glasses than black glasses. They also do a ton of special orders, so if you are looking for something specific or more sedate, they can help you find it. They have spectacular specs and shades for men, women and kids.
Eye Spy Optical offers personalized fittings, “Try-before-you-buy” digital photos of you in your glasses, expert advice, comprehensive eye exams and contact lens fittings, and honest opinions…about anything and everything!! If you let them guide you and listen to their opinions, it will be easy to decide on your new pair of simply spectacular specs.
Eye Spy Optical * 3350 N Lincoln Ave. Chicago IL 60626 * 773-477-2670
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Filed under: Anni Shades, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Laura Boton, Owner of Sine Qua Non Salons
Laura’s wearing a dreamy pair of Anni Shades Oleg frames. Anni Shades are made in Ohio by hand and can be custom made in almost any color you like!
In 1993, Laura was a frustrated stylist. She wanted to work in a salon where “freedom, creativity and flexibility could exist for the stylists, and comfort and acceptance would be a priority for our guests, ” instead of the run of the mill mico-managing she had experienced in the salon industry.
With a little help, a lot of hard work and $25,000 borrowed from friends and family, Sine Qua Non Salons was a dream come true!
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Fun Facts About Laura:
How long have you been in business? 21 years
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? David Cassidy & Micky Dolenz
If you could be any animal, what would it be? Dog
Are you right or left handed? Right handed
What is your eye color? Brown
Where did you grow up? Des Plaines, the City of Destiny
What hood do you live in? West Rogers Park
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Laura was in that first location, an old house at at 2944 N Lincoln for 5 years. She moved to her current location in 1998 after a failed bid to buy that building (which no longer exists) and has continued as a go-to for the stylish people of Lake View.
Laura loves what she does, “Its been a great ride!”
Sin Qua Non Salons * 3417 N. Lincoln Ave., Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.404.8789
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Filed under: Niloca, Shop Local. Shop Lincoln
In order to highlight our fellow independent small business owners on our stretch of Lincoln Ave., we asked our photographer, Dave Rentauskus, to take portraits of our comrades in our spectacular specs….along with a few shots of their shops.
Johnny Begale, Sausage Kitchen Manager
Johnny is wearing a spicy Jawd frame by the Australian eyewear designer, Niloca, who are known for unexpected shapes and unique use of color in their handmade frames.
Paulina Meat Market is one of those great family business that are hard to find these days. In 1984, just as the current location was opening it’s doors, Johnny’s dad Bill, applied and started his career, learning to “break down cattle and serve carnivourous Chicagoans.” He and his wife, Laurie had the opportunity to buy the business from the original owners in 2006, and have made the market their own, exapnding their selection of fresh meats and sausages and compimentary products to appeal to the needs of their customers while still keeping the original roots of their German-American Meat Market intact.
Johnny has a degree in accounting from Illinois Wesleyan University and worked for 2 years at McGladrey, but found himself wondering if that was the right fit. He began working for the family business in 2011 with the Sausage Kitchen team. “I have an awesome family and was fortunate enough to have a place to go when I needed to take a step back and figure things out.” Johnny has also put his accounting and business knowledge to good use, helping to make Paulina Meat Market the World Class Meat Market it is today.
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Fun Facts about Johnny:
How long have you been in business? Paulina Market has been in business since 1949 (65 years)
Who was your teenage celebrity crush? I was 19 when Annapolis came out (just on the edge of teenage years), and James Franco is a stud in that movie so would have to go with him!
If you could be any animal, what would it be? I would have to be a bird, a Bald Eagle to be specific I guess. I don’t know much about Bald Eagles, but I love to travel and I love my country so that would be a sweet animal to be!
Are you right or left handed? Righty
What color are your eyes? Brown
Where did you grow up? Niles, IL
What ‘hood do you live in? Roscoe Village
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Johnny and his family want Paulina Market always strives to understand its customers and their meat-eating needs and pushes itself to be the best market in town!
Paulina Meat Market * 3501 N. Lincoln Avenue (corner of Lincoln & Cornelia) Chicago, IL 60657 * 773.248.6272
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Filed under: EVENTS!, NEWS!
… with Eye Spy & our neighbors during the holiday season!!
Make purchases at locally-owned shops on Lincoln Ave., get entered in a gift raffle…and we donate to a non-profit for each participant:-) It’s easy…read below to see how to participate!
*Pick up a punch card at participating stores from 3200-3600 N Lincoln.
*Shop at 6 or more stores & get your card punched with each purchase.
*Select shops will be giving out samples & discounts.
*Bring the card back to Eye Spy to enter the gift raffle & we will donate $3 to a non-profit organization for each card entered!
*Check out the facebook page for special sneak peaks and updates!
Participating Businesses:
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Filed under: EVENTS!
With the holiday season creeping up on us, we wanted to remind you to Shop Local. Shop Lincoln! What’s in it for you, you might ask? Well, let me break it down for you! We’ve teamed up with our local loves on North Lincoln Avenue, from 3200 thru 3500 to bring you Shop Local. Shop Lincoln! Shop at any participating shop on Lincoln and they will give you one of our fabulous little punch cards, get 6 or more punches and drop the card off at Eye Spy and be entered to win a gift basket full of goodies from the whole neighborhood! We will be donating $3 per person who enters the raffle!
Perhaps each participating store will have a surprise for you? I hear they might be planning their own incentives!
We are kicking the whole thing off on Shop Small Saturday, November 29th! Shop around Lincoln Avenue till December 31st and drop you card by Eye Spy and enter to win some lovely neighborhood goodies!
Remember to Shop Local, Shop Lincoln!
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