We truly love being a part of the small business community on Main Street. Throughout the Main Street Mural Project, it’s been a real treat to connect with local businesses owners, learn their stories, get their ideas for what they’d like to see on the mural, and host them in the studio to make tiles for the mural itself.
Today, We’re excited to introduce you to another one of those small business owners — Terri & Pete from Virag Jewelers.
Virag Jewelers has a rich history in Evanston. They opened their first shop on Chicago Avenue in 1936 before moving to Main Street in the 1970s. The shop is still family owned and operated today.
Check out the video below to hear more from Terri & Pete about Virag Jewelers and the Main Street Mural.
Why Small Businesses
One of the reasons we were so eager to create the mural on 727 Main Street is because we believe it’s one way we can support small businesses by attracting more people to the Main Street corridor.
Many businesses in our neighborhood have struggled to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
After a devastating economic downturn, recovery efforts were hampered by major construction projects on Main Street and some small businesses have closed as a result.
At Open Studio Project, we believe that community is something we create together. Local businesses play a vital role in that creative process, and so do you!
Your support for local small businesses, your contribution to projects like the Main Street Mural, and your very presence as a unique individual are all a part of what make our South Evanston community great.
Thanks for being a part of it!
