LINCOLN SQUARE — With temperatures plummeting to wind chills as low as 40 degrees below zero, many Chicagoans have been warned to stay home rather than venture outdoors.
Not that there's anywhere to go anyway.
Most small businesses have opted to close for the day rather than force employees into the Polar Vortex.
"The store will be closed tomorrow because yuck," Eclecticity (4752 N. Lincoln Ave.) posted to its Facebook page on Sunday. "Stay warm, stay dry, stay safe!"
Others announcing a snow day include Neighborly (2003 W. Montrose Ave.), Hazel (1926 W. Montrose Ave. and 1902 W. Montrose Ave.), Alapash Terrariums (1944 W. Montrose Ave.), Knit 1 (3823 N. Lincoln Ave.), the Book Cellar (4736 N. Lincoln Ave.), Embellish Boutique (4161 N. Lincoln Ave.), Lollipop Seeds (4726 N. Lincoln Ave.), Little Threads (2033 W. Roscoe St.), Wax Man Spa (1744 W. Lawrence Ave.), Kitsch'n on Roscoe (2005 W. Roscoe St.) and Costello's (2015 W. Roscoe St. and 4647 N. Lincoln Ave.).
Beans & Bagels is open but will close at 2 p.m.
The Albany Park Community Center has closed all of its locations and canceled all of its programs for the day.
Albany Park Neighbors has canceled its meeting scheduled for tonight. Residents are instead being encouraged to attend a forum planned for Jan. 15 to discuss the proposal for a Walgreens at Kimball and Lawrence avenues.
Old Town School of Folk Music begins its winter session today, at least partially. Classes and private lessons scheduled before 2 p.m. have been canceled; those after 2 p.m. will take place as planned.
So what's open?
It's business as usual at Sulzer Library, 4455 N. Lincoln Ave., operating on normal hours, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
River Valley Farmer's Table, 1816 W. Wilson Ave., is not only open but will reward those willing to brave the cold with free soup with any purchase on Monday.
