Last night, Eli’s held a special dinner to give thanks to all of our fantastic third shift associates, who work through the night to ensure our delicious Eli’s Cheesecakes keep rolling off the line smoothly.  The third shift associates make our cookie crusts and ensure the bakery is properly sanitized for the next day’s work.  Everyone was on hand for the celebration, including company president Marc Schulman.  Associates enjoyed a culinary experience fit for a king, exchanged gifts, and took advantage of the photobooth that was set up especially for them.  Check out photos of last night’s big event below.

This morning, Congressman Mike Quigley stopped by Eli’s Cheesecake for a visit.  Congressman Quigley represents the 5th District of Illinois, which encompasses portions of northern Chicago, including Eli’s Cheesecake.  To learn more about Mike Quigley and his work in the House of Representatives, visit his website here.

Eli’s Cheesecake President Marc Schulman and Congressman Mike Quigley

This morning, WGN News stopped in to do a special report entitled, “Mail Order Madness!”  WGN reporter, Marcus Leschock, toured the Eli’s Cheesecake bakery and watched our delicious cheesecakes go all the way from our mixers to the packaging line, where they were shipped all over the country.  Of course, no visit would be complete without a stop at our bakery cafe for a few samples of all our delicious desserts.  Check out the photos from this morning’s segment and then join the Mail Order Madness by ordering an Eli’s Cheesecake for yourself right here.

Yesterday, Eli’s set up shop at the Service Club of Chicago’s annual holiday luncheon and shopping event.  This event draws in some of Chicago’s most philanthropic donors to provide funds for the Service Club’s various activities throughout the year.  Eli’s Cheesecake joined several other vendors, offering delicious holiday treats that included gingerbread men and snowflake cupcakes.  Ten percent of all vendor proceeds from the event were donated to the Service Club of Chicago.  To learn more about the Service Club of Chicago and make a donation, please click here.

Last night, the Eli’s Bakery Cafe closed its doors early to prepare a special holiday dinner for The Sunshine Activity Center in the northern outskirts of Chicago.  The Sunshine Activity Center serves to provide essential life skills to those with developmental disabilities.  This center is a haven to many in the community, providing a safe place for those with developmental disabilities to learn and gain a sense of independence.  Eli’s chef Antonio Rivera and R&D Vice President Diana Moles prepared a holiday feast for everyone, served by Eli’s staff.  After dinner, Eli’s employees joined the guests in singing Christmas carols and playing holiday bingo.  Of course, no holiday festivity would be complete without a visit from the big man himself! Santa came with his bag of gifts in hand and spent some time with everyone.  It was an incredible night of giving and holiday cheer.  Everyone at Eli’s is excited to join in the holiday celebrations again next year!

Last night, Eli’s Cheesecake held its annual Open House in our Bakery Cafe and Retail Store.  A live DJ played Christmas classics as shoppers gathered to sample some of Eli’s best desserts.  Everyone was given 20% off of their entire purchase or 30% off if they spent $100 or more.  Eli Slice even did some shopping in his spare time.  Between shopping, sampling, and impromptu pictures with our mascot, visitors spun our raffle wheel for a variety of great prizes.  Check out photos from the event below and mark your calendars for next year’s event on December 3, 2014.

The Lighting of the Trees on the Magnificent Mile with tiny white lights dates back to the 1959 when the Greater North Michigan Avenue started this holiday tradition.

It wasn’t until 1992 when the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival as we know it today originated  under the leadership of Founding Lights Festival Chairman Marc Schulman, the President of Eli’s Cheesecake. In an article in the Tribune in November of 1992, Schulman told Rick Kogan in an article entitled “It’s time to turn on the Lights” that “It’s all meant to be fund, to really kickoff the holiday season in a style reminiscent of bygone days.” “We think this will mark the new coming of age of Michigan Avenue, our hope is that the lighting of the trees will become a holiday highlight.”

On Saturday, November 23rd, over one million people lined the Magnificent Mile for the 22nd Anniversary of the Lights Festival. Eli’s Cheesecake President Marc Schulman,  Founding Chairman of the Event and Past Greater North Michigan Avenue Association Chair joined  Association Chairperson Mary Ann Rose, past Association Chairman, Ralph Weber and Grant Deporter (Grant was also a Chairman of the Lights Festival), past Lights Festival Chairpersons, Kelly Wisecarver and Robert Dion, 2nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti, Choose Chicago CEO, Don Welsh, and Association President, John Chikow, as part of the Legacy of Leaders that leads the Procession.

Pictured (left to right): Dr. Michael Ruchim, Associate Chief Medical Officer, Northwestern Memorial Hospital, 2^nd Ward Alderman Bob Fioretti (Seneca Park &  the Eli M. Schulman Playground are now in the 2^nd Ward), Eli’s Cheesecake’s Maureen Schulman, reigning Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skating Champion, Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, Eli’s Cheesecake’s Marc Schulman and Ritz Carlton Hotel General Manager Tom Segesta.

The evening of Thursday, November 21^st continued a tradition in the Streeterville neighborhood as a ceremony was held to light Seneca Park & the Eli M. Schulman Playground for the holidays.

It was a festive evening (although a little wet) with a pre-lighting reception at the historic Company 98 of the Chicago Fire Department  catered by the Ritz Carlton Chicago and the Eli’s Cheesecake Company. Chicago Fire Commissioner Jose Santiago, a former Captain at Engine Company 98, joined in the festivities.

The lighting of Seneca Park & the Eli M. Schulman Playground is 100% privately funded.  Funders of the lighting are Northwestern Memorial Healthcare, the Museum of Contemporary Art, American Girl Place, the American Dental Association, the Ritz Carlton Chicago, The Eli’s Cheesecake Company, Lookingglass Theatre Company, the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, Broadway in Chicago, CBRE and Moore Landscapes.

 Reigning Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skater, Evan Lysacek (a native of Naperville), served as the celebrity in a countdown to direct Moore Landscapes to turn on the lights. Lysacek is a long time friend of Marc and Maureen Schulman, who coordinated the event with Sarah Burke of Northwestern Healthcare.

A highlight of the event at the Firehouse was the reading of the by Eric Schroeder of Lookingglass Theatre of the poem written by Sally Park in honor of the event. Sally is a long time resident of the area and annually writes a poem for the evening.

Attendees at the Lighting included 2^nd Ward Alderman Robert Fioretti (Seneca Park & Eli M. Schulman Playground are now in the 2^nd Ward,  Dean Harrison, CEO of Northwestern Healthcare, Susan Hayes Gordon of Lurie Children’s Hospital, Peter Roth, recently named GM of the Park Hyatt,  John Chikow of the Greater North Michigan Avenue Association and Gail Spreen of SOAR.

In 1988, the Playground at Seneca Park was renamed in memory of the late restaurateur, Eli M. Schulman, whose restaurant Eli’s the Place for Steak was located just south of the park on the site of what is now the Lurie Children’s Hospital. Over the next one and a half years, Eli’s son Marc Schulman led a campaign to totally rebuild Seneca Park and the Eli M. Schulman Playground raising over $350,000 to fund the reconstruction and to purchase the equine sculpture, “Ben,” by Deborah Butterfield which is in the Park. Fund raising events included a Gala the Ritz Carlton featuring the late cabaret singer Bobby Short.

The Lighting of the Trees on the Magnificent Mile with tiny white lights dates back to the 1959 when the Greater North Michigan Avenue started this holiday tradition.
It wasn’t until 1992 when the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival as we know it today originated  under the leadership of Founding Lights Festival Chairman Marc Schulman of Eli’s Cheesecake. In an article in the Tribune in November of 1992, Schulman told Rick Kogan in an article entitled “It’s time to turn on the Lights” that “It’s all meant to be fun, to really kickoff the holiday season in a style reminiscent of bygone days.” “We think this will mark the new coming of age of Michigan Avenue, our hope is that the lighting of the trees will become a holiday highlight.”

What a great way for the Streeterville Community to welcome the Holiday Season: Thursday night in Seneca Park  & the Eli M. Schulman Playground and Saturday evening for the 22^nd BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Lights Festival.

This year, November 23rd is one of the biggest days for Eli’s Cheesecake because this Saturday, we will be holding our bi-annual Dock Sale as well as participating in Chicago’s Lights Festival.

Eli’s will be holding it’s Thanksgiving Dock Sale at 6701 West Forest Preserve Drive from 9am to 2pm.  Visitors can save up to 50% on the biggest selection of Eli’s products available anywhere.

Eli’s Cheesecake will also be participating in the Chicago Lights Festival at Pioneer Court at the south end of the Magnificent Mile on Michigan Avenue.  We will be offering FREE Eli’s Cheesecake slice decorating from 11am to 4pm with the help of students from the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences.

Guests to either event can also donate nonperishable food to the Greater Chicago Food Depository and receive a FREE slice of Eli’s Cheesecake.  Additionally, anyone who makes a donation of $10 or more will receive a FREE 7″ Eli’s Cheesecake to take home!  We hope to see you there!

Today, Eli’s Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake made a special appearance on Good Day Chicago.  Sun-Times Splash editor Susanna Negovan was on set with her “Things We Love” segment, where she shared her passion for Eli’s Cheesecake with the world.  Check out the segment here, then go order some delicious Eli’s Cheesecake for yourself on our website.  We’ll deliver just in time for Turkey Day!