The Holiday Season is just around the corner and both Edgewater and Andersonville businesses want you to remember to shop local this year. In order to help people 60 years and older better manage the hustle and bustle of busy stores while searching for gifts, Andersonville will offer a unique opportunity for them to find just what they are looking for.

The second annual Joy On Clark Street will be held on December 3 from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and will provide seniors special shopping, dining and entertainment options including information on traditional Swedish events. Hosted by the Andersonville Chamber of Commerce (ACC), the event will include 40 local businesses along the strip.

“There are a large number of senior residences in the Andersonville, Edgewater and Uptown areas,” said ACC Events Manager Laura Austin. “We wanted to provide those residents and other older adults a shopping day for the Holidays when the neighborhood is a little quieter during the daytime hours. It is an opportunity for folks needing a little more accessibility to access discounts, giveaways and more without the stress of coming out in the evening and managing the crowds of Late Night Andersonville.”

Those participating in the free event are required to RSVP by Monday, Dec. 1. Check-in will be at the Swedish American Museum (5211 N. Clark) from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. where a selection of activities will be waiting for them including special pops including the Swedish Pop Up Cafe providing coffee and Swedish sweets, tablings/activations by Dispensary 33, and other businesses such as Raven Theatre, TK Photography, and more.

ACC will also offer their Shop Local Holiday Passport at check-in. The passport, which is available to everyone starting Nov. 30, encourages customers to make a purchase at 10 or more of the over 130 area locations by Dec. 31, 2019. Passport participants can then mail or drop off their passport directly to the chamber offices at 5217 N. Clark St. #3 by Jan. 10, 2020 to enter to win prizes, including one grand prizewinner of the Andersonville Experience 2020 – a pass that includes tickets and special access to all 2020 Andersonville crawls and events.

“Shopping for the Holiday season can be a stressful endeavor,” Austin added. “We hope to take some of that stress away so that folks can shop for loved ones and themselves. We hope that The JOY event goers will come experience a great day in the neighborhood and take advantage of some amazing deals at retail locations, restaurants and even theatre.”