The 2017 season of Hyde Park’s “First Thursday” event kicks off on Thursday, May 4, from 5-8 p.m. with more than 40 retailers, restaurants and other businesses offering discounts, raffles, refreshments, special menu items, and more.
The event, which features businesses from S. Lake Park Avenue, 53rd, 55th, and 57th Streets and the surrounding commercial streets, is back for its second year and includes Hyde Park newcomers such as Nando’s PERi-PERi, Roti Modern Mediterranean, Target, and Whole Foods Market.
The full list of participating businesses and offers can be found on the event website– S. Lake Park Avenue/53rd Street area highlights include free frozen slushie samples (approx. 4 oz.) at McDonald’s; a free 2 oz. scoop of gelato at Whole Foods Market; one free Starbucks Grande (16 oz.) beverage at Target Express with receipt from $20 store purchase from 5-8 p.m.; $6 classic, strawberry, and peach margaritas at Chant; a free can of soda and bag of chips with any oven-baked sandwich at Café 53; two weeks of free yoga to anyone who registers for classes that night at Core Power Yoga; an $11 savings on two movie tickets, popcorn, and sodas at the Harper Theater; a $200 savings on apartment move-in fees at Hyde Park Property Management; a $7 island cocktail at Ja’ Grill; a “First Thursday” Happy Hour from 4-7 p.m. at Kimbark Beverage Shoppe for those 21 and over as well as a promo code to save $10 on tickets to the June 3 & 4 Hyde Park Brew Fest (use the code “FIRSTTHURS” on May 4 ONLY at the event website); a free week’s pass at LA Fitness; BOGO coupon at Nando’s PERi-PERi; a mini peanut butter parfait sample at Native Foods; $200 off a complete pair of glasses (and cocktails!) at Pearle Vision; and $150 savings on apartment administration fees at Vue53. Businesses offering discounts include A10 Hyde Park, Akira, Ancien Cycles & Café, Bonne Sante Health Foods, Hyde Park Produce Market, Hyde Park Records, Jojayden, Kilwins, Leona’s, Mikkey’s Retro Grill, Modern Cooperative, NoteworthyNotes, Pockets, Porkchop, The Promontory, Rajun Cajun, Roti Modern Mediterranean, The Silver Room, The Silver Umbrella, Sir & Madame, Sprocket & Stone, Zberry, and Yusho.
Offers from 55th Street business include a junior sandwich and side for $5 at Bergstein’s Deli, a free 8-oz. Metropolis coffee at Dollop Coffee Co. with the purchase of any food item, a 15% discount if you correctly answer a trivia question at First Aid comics,15% off your entire purchase at Gilda’s Designer Thrift Boutique; and free nail grinding for dogs and cats, free freshly baked grain-free blueberry and banana dog cookies, $5 off coupon for next grooming appointment and custom dog tag when a grooming appointment is booked during event, free glass of red or white wine from 57th Street Wines, and a shot for the pups of Mr. Grumples doggie protein shakes at Parker’s Pet Spa & Boutique.
On 57th Street, offers include a wine tasting at 57th Street Wines; a free “mystery book” with purchase at 57th Street Books; free chips & salsa vouchers at Cemitas Puebla; and discounts at Medici Bakery & Delicatessen; Noodles, Etc.; and Powell’s Books Chicago.
All offers are one per person, while supplies last from 5-8 p.m. on May 4, with the mention of “First Thursday.” Several businesses such as Chant and Roti Modern Mediterranean will offer discounts all day long.
“Downtown Hyde Park has a great mix of local, independent businesses combined with popular national chains,” said James Hennessy, associate vice president for commercial real estate operations for the University. “The First Thursday events are an excellent opportunity for people to visit their favorite businesses for discounts and explore new businesses, as well.”
If you are a local Hyde Park business owner and would like to participate in the event, please contact Amy Srodon at acsrodon@uchicago.edu.
Visit the event website and Facebook page.
