Like our neighborhood’s residents, many Ravenswood small businesses are committed to living more sustainably. For this year’s Ravenswood Holiday Gift Guide, we consulted with some eco-minded local business owners to bring you green gift recommendations for the upcoming holidays.
Give Green, Give Local
Basic Revolution
About the Business: Motivated to make a difference by diverting textile waste from landfills, local sustainability advocate Andrea Harney launched Basic Revolution. The innovative subscription service for sustainably-crafted socks and undergarmets doubles as a recycling service for your old, hole-y clothes.
Gift Recommendation: The Basic Revolution Women’s Knee Sock Box ($59). Includes four pairs of organic cotton knee socks, plus clothing recycling service for any worn-out socks or other unwearable/undonatable clothing that fits in the box. Get more information at www.mybasicrevolution.com.
Eco & the Flamingo
About the Business: Eco & the Flamingo is Chicago’s first Zero Waste general store. Featuring bulk dry food, tea, coffee and snacks, as well as eco-friendly cleaning supplies, health and beauty products, home goods, gifts and more.
Gift Recommendation: Green Home Goods from Sacred Art ($12-24). Aside from her own store, Eco & the Flamingo owner Bethany Barbouti recommended holiday shoppers check out Sacred Art. She says the boutique carries “some lovely green gifts,” including fruit and veggie hand towels and a line of nature-inspired ceramics, plus earrings made from citrus fruit. Shop online from both businesses www.ecoandtheflamingo.com and www.sacredartchicago.com.
Lena Rose Beauty
About the Business: After working as a certified nail technician for four years, Jenny Duranski became ill from working with the toxic products. She began to research all-natural, organic and vegan alternatives, plus determine which ingredients were harmful. In 2013, her research led to founding Noktivo, Chicago’s first and only non-toxic nail salon.
In April 2017, Jenny founded Lena Rose, named after her daughter. Lena Rose is Chicago’s first green beauty boutique and spa, focusing on vegan, non-toxic, “farm-to-facial” goods and services.
Gift Recommendation: Lena Rose House Line Gift Set ($45). Lena Rose’s new house line of beauty products are handmade in small batches with the purest-sourced ingredients from local farmers. To celebrate the launch of the line, Jenny has bundled together a gift box featuring full or sample sizes of six products to pamper mind, body and spirit. All items are infused with the aromas of Lena Rose’s reserve floral blend of chamomile, rose petals, rosemary and orange blossom.
You can shop for beauty products from over 25 green brands, purchase gift cards and book spa appointments online at www.lenarosebeauty.com.
Vivant Gardening Services
About the Business: Led by local greening advocate and Montrose Metra Community Gardens coordinator Kasey Bersett Eaves, Vivant provides simple, honest and personal service to home gardeners, chefs and restauranteurs who wish to bring their space to life at an attainable price.
Gift Recommendation: Vivant Gardening Services Gift Certificate ($10-50). Know a gardener in need of a hand? Vivant gift certificates are redeemable for any hourly garden service, consult or online Q&A. They will get answers to their questions and the helping hands they need to accomplish their garden goals. These gift cards never expire, so they’re perfect for saving to on year-round projects.
Learn more about Vivant Gardening Services, including their variety of upcoming virtual workshops, at www.vivantgardens.com.
WasteNot Compost
About the Business: Composting in the city helps the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reduces smell from landfill waste. WasteNot’s fleet of electric vehicles powers a zero-emissions compost collection service that makes doing your part clean and easy. Co-founders Liam Donnelly and Lauren Kaszuba built the company from the ground-up, pulling long hours, running pickup routes with cargo bikes and storing waste in their parent’s garage. Now, they proudly serve hundreds of residential and business clients, with home service beginning at just $24 a month.
Gift Recommendation: WasteNot’s Holiday Getting Started Kit ($55). This holiday starter kit makes it easier than ever to get your friends, family and loved ones composting. It includes 4 services, 1 compost caddy, 2 rolls of compostable liners, a WasteNot bucket, a Compost Do’s & Dont’s guide, and more. Get details at www.wastenotcompost.com/giftofcompost.
Locally-Sourced
LaGrow Organic Beer Co.
About the Business: LaGrow Organic Beer Co. is the result of three brothers cultivating passions for great beer and a sustainable living into Chicago’s first USDA-certified organic brewery. This family-owned, independent brewery was founded in 2016 and shares space in a Malt Row production facility with Smylie Brothers Brewing Co.
Gift Recommendation: The LaGrow Sampler – A 4-Pack of each of their 5 Styles ($55). The LaGrow brothers take a “seeds-to-suds” approach to producing beer that is big in integrity, quality, and taste. Your environmentally-minded friends will love that every can, case, and keg of their beer is made with organic grains and hops sourced from farmers who are committed stewards of the land. This Sampler contains 4-packs of LaGrow’s organic India Pale Ale, American Pale Ale, Citra Blonde Ale, and Imperial Stout. Place your orders for local delivery at www.lagrowbeer.com.
Spoken Café
About the Business: A true Ravenswood institution, Spoken is a warm, relaxed café serving breakfast and lunch fare with Acadian Cajun respects, plus caffeinated drinks, baked goods, and housemade goods. Co-owners Will Goodwin and Sidonie Gaudé had been leaders in local greening efforts; growing their own ingredients, partnering with organizations like Montrose Metra Community Gardens and WasteNot Compost, and eliminating single-use plastics from the café.
Gift Recommendation: Spoken Jams, Sauces & Pickes ($10-12). Spoken’s line of house-made jams, sauces, and pickles are budget-friendly, made from locally-sourced ingredients, and offer a little something for everyone. From Peach Bourbon BBQ Sauce and Gin & Juice Pickles made with KOVAL spirits, to “Chicago Dog” Relish and Ravenswood Pear Butter, the variety of colors and flavors is dizzying. All items can be shipped, so you can send your friends the tastes of summer all winter-long. Peruse the menu and place your orders at www.shop.spokenchicago.com.
River Valley Farmer’s Table
About the Business: River Valley’s grocery store is loaded with goods from River Valley Farms and other local, sustainably-minded producers. If you haven’t shopped with them in a while, don’t miss their expanded selection of organic and biodynamically produced wines, Slagel Family Farms meats, and daily fresh baked breads.
Gift Recommendation: River Valley Kitchens Fire Roasted Bloody Mary Mix ($14). This isn’t your typical store-bought bloody mix! Every bottle of RVK Bloody Mix boasts 5 pounds of chemical-free heirloom tomatoes. Zesty and delicious with a mild amount of heat, it’s ready for mixing with your favorite vodka– or a beer for a twist on a classic Michelada. Go the extra mile with the River Valley Bloody Mary Kit (pictured, $55), which includes the RVK Bloody Mary Mix, a jar of River Valley Farms Pickled Mushrooms, and a bottle of Sneaky Fox Vodka.
Order online for pickup or local delivery at www.river-valley-farmers-table.square.site.
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Green Giving: Ravenswood Holiday Gift Guide December 1, 2020 Posted in: Community News Like our neighborhood's residents, many Ravenswood small businesses are committed to living more sustainably. For this year's Ravenswood Holiday Gift Guide, we consulted with some eco-minded local business owners to bring you green gift recommendations for the upcoming holidays. Read Full Article
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Merch & Apparel from Local Businesses: Ravenswood Holiday Gift Guide December 4, 2020 Posted in: Community News As a part of our 2020 Ravenswood Holiday Guide, GRCC brings you a collection of merch and apparel from local small businesses that'll make perfect gifts. Read Full Article
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