Editor’s note: The map shows a tentative route for the holiday trolley which will be transporting shoppers on Small Business Saturday, Nov. 30. The route will include Six Corners, Jefferson Park, Montrose-Milwaukee, Austin-Lawrence and Austin-Irving. Watch for more details in the next week.

Area business groups are planning a holiday trolley and an array of other activities to attract visitors to their commercial districts on “Small Business Saturday,” which encourages shoppers to visit independent stores the day after “Black Friday,” whose focus tends to be more on the big-box national retailers.

The Six Corners and Jefferson Park chambers of commerce are sponsoring a “Small Business Saturday Passport.” Shoppers will be asked to have their passport stamped at participating businesses on Saturday, Nov. 30, and those who visit at least six stores will be entered into a free drawing to win a $100 gift card.

The following businesses are participating: City News Café, 4018 N. Cicero Ave., Distinct Bath and Body, 4046 N. Milwaukee Ave., Lorch Bros. Flowers, 4936 W. Irving Park Road, Fannie’s Café, 4042 N. Milwaukee Ave., Tatas Tacos, 4929 W. Irving Park Road, Rasenick’s Workwear, 3940 N. Cicero Ave., Singer Factory Distributor, 4914 W. Irving Park Road, Shilas Restaurant, 3938 N. Cicero Ave., Fearless Cooking, 4410 N. Milwaukee Ave., Cosmic Bikes, 4641 N. Milwaukee Ave., Ix-Chel Gelato, 4968 N. Milwaukee Ave., Delightful Pastries, 5927 W. Lawrence Ave., and Sir Speedy, 4209 N. Milwaukee Ave.









The passport forms will be available at these businesses during the last week in November.

Also in the area, the Gladstone Park Chamber of Commerce will be sponsoring a similar passport program with 10 businesses over the weekend of Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.

Passports will be available at the following businesses: State Farm/Agent David Wins, 5870 N. Milwaukee Ave., Pasta D’ Arte, 6311 N. Milwaukee Ave., Garage Bar and Grill, 6154 N. Milwaukee Ave., Hajdu Realty Group/Dreamtown, 7280 W. Devon Ave., Highway House, 5653 N. Northwest Hwy., Jebote Smoke Shop, 5679 N. Milwaukee Ave., Jet’s Public House, 6148 N. Milwaukee Ave., Gen-Ki Karate & Fitness Center, 5756 N. Milwaukee Ave., Filonek’s Bar and Grill, 6213 N. Milwaukee Ave., and Thee European Spa, 5927 N. Milwaukee Ave.

There also will be a holiday trolley on Nov. 30, transporting shoppers between Six Corners, Jefferson Park and the Austin-Irving business district. The event will start with a breakfast at the Gale Street Inn, 4914 N.Milwaukee Ave., and end with a gift-wrapping party at the Foundation Tavern, 5007 W. Irving Park Road.

The trolleys are being sponsored by the Six Corners Association, Jefferson Park Chamber of Commerce, Jefferson Park Forward and the Irving-Austin Business District. The trolleys will run about every 15-20 minutes and make about 10 stops on Small Business Saturday.

More information on the trolley is available at www.sixcorners.com/holidaytrolley.

One of the trolley stops is at City News Cafe, 4018 N. Cicero Ave. where the Northwest Arts Connection will be holding on Nov. 30th a “Winter Wonderland.” Admission is free, and activities will include live music, caroling, face painting, storytelling and Mrs. Santa.