LAKEVIEW — Lakeview businesses are doing their best to combat the Monday blues this month by offering free coffee and treats from local businesses during the morning commute.
But this Monday is your last chance to take advantage of the "Good Morning Mondays'' promotion by the Central Lakeview Merchants Association, which is doling out the java and munchies from 7-9 a.m. at the Belmont "L" stop.
"For the commuters, it's usually a big surprise. It's good to see the commuters smile," said Jeff Briggs, who works in business relations for the association. "Anytime you give something away for free it goes over well."
Sandwich Me In, Starbucks, Bountiful Eatery, Ann Sather, Chicago Bagel Authority and Jamba Juice are six of the spots that set up at the "L" stop at the corner of West Belmont and North Wilton avenues this month.
Briggs and other members of association thought of the idea while watching commuters hustle to catch their trains. As they saw about 250 commuters shuffle by, they wondered: "How could we make Mondays a little more exciting?" and "How could this benefit our members?" Briggs said.
The group approached about 200 of its 400 members with the idea of doling out free samples to get "a little more exposure" for restaurants that "some have heard about and some haven't," Briggs said.
The exposure has been great, he said.
