Ravinia Neighbors Association IN-PERSON Board Meeting @ Ravinia Bridal, 729 St. Johns Avenue, Tuesday, March 11, 2025, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.
RNA NOTES FOR MARCH 11TH 2025 MEETING
Thank you, Bonnie Wegner & Ravinia Bridal, for hosting our meeting this month!
Attendees: Noah Plotkin, Doug Purington, Richard Rosenberg, Jeff Hoobler, Jeff Stern, Bonnie Wegner, Michael Babian, John (J.B.) Schuck, Lori Fink, Jon Center, Faye Rosenberg, Beth Grey, Annette Lidawer, Stan Miller, Jeff Levin
1. Presidents Report: Noah Plotkin shared the exciting news that the City of Highland Park approved his musical lineup & dates for food truck Thursdays which kicks off in Jens Jensen Park on Thursday June 5th, 2025, along with the Ravinia Farmers Market Music Schedule which kicks off Wednesday June 4th, 2025. The City of Highland Park is only funding the music and sound production & park permit until the end of August. Life Rhythms will be sponsoring the music and sound production for September 4th. That leaves two additional dates, September 11th & September 18th that is currently up for grabs for the local Ravinia District to contribute towards having more music on the food truck nights. Bensidoun USA wasn’t interested in contributing money towards the music for those remaining two nights. If anyone is interested in contributing towards the live music at food trucks for those 2 remaining nights, please email Noah at noah@liferhythmsinc.com
2. Residents Time: Jeff Hoobler had some great ideas regarding how we can pitch to the city to close down Roger Williams Ave between Pleasant Ave and Burton once in a while for some daytime community networking events. Annette Lidawer also brought up the remaining Tif Money in the community is something we should take a look at to see if there are opportunities to make our neighborhood better! Including the installation idea of road Bollards.
3. Doug Purington / Publicity & Membership Report:
• Membership Update:
o 2 new members; 2 renewals
• Publicity Update:
o Continuing to do Mail chimp emails and RNA Facebook postings on behalf of merchants as follows:
▪ Abigail’s
▪ Yana’s Speakeasy
▪ Jeff Cohen Photography
▪ Mill Colibris
▪ Maddie’s Market
▪ Winter Farmers Market
▪ Happi Sushi
▪ Astra Coffee Roasters
▪ Ravinia District Update:
o Fluffy Bunny has finally received their building permit! Their update below:
▪ We’re already in the process of construction, planning to open in April. I really hope that we will open on April 1st. Our coffee shop’s name is Fluffy Bunny.
Fluffy Bunny - Healthy never tasted so sweet!
Fluffy Bunny in Ravinia, Highland Park serves up premium healthy meals and drinks. Sip on high- end coffee while savoring organic, delicious food. Our menu boasts healthy breakfasts, delectable yet nutritious desserts, and a cozy atmosphere perfect for unwinding. Fluffy Bunny also hosts social events, making it a great spot to connect with friends over a shared love of wellness and good taste.
▪ The hours of operation will be from 7 am to 4 pm 7 days a week.
o New restaurant @ 565 Roger Williams, former site of cleaners, received HP City Council approval
▪ Have touched base with the management team and will have a virtual meeting with them soon to gain more insights as to their plans
o Owners of Braeside Market have gone in a slightly different direction as opposed to Dollop Diner
▪ They will be opening "Braeside Market" at 55 St. Johns in late March / early April.
• Work is progressing and it’s looking nice
o Veterinary Clinic is proposed for 592-594 Roger Williams, the corner building opposite Walgreens that has been empty for over 7 years
▪ It would be run by Dr. Jeff Kordell who has a successful clinic in Highwood
▪ They have applied to the City Council for a zoning variance and were unanimously approved
• Newsletter Update:
o Spring 2025 Newsletter to be published in mid to late April
▪ Content & Ads due March 31st
• Need interviewers for:
o Ravinia School Reopening
o Piero’s Pizza: New Owners
• These interviews are underway:
o Bonnie: Kris & Jeff re: Rebranding of RBC to Steep Ravine
Jeff Stern: Yana Khernberg re: her Speakeasy
4. Treasurer’s Report: Michael Babian:
Checking Balance: $6210.00 CD Balance: $6500.52
Total Balance: $12,710.52 Payments issued over $50: None
5. Previous Action Items: T-shirts: Simple T-shirt design as supposed to advertisement T-shirt ideas. We need some local artists to whip up some examples of simpler t-shirt art pieces.
6. New Ideas: Street closures for more happenings on Roger Williams. More events in Jens Jensen Park throughout the year. More merchant meet ups to invigorate the community!
