Evanston residents wandered in and out of 22 downtown businesses Thursday evening, June 25, sipping champagne, milkshakes, and LaCroix while browsing deals on everything from athletic wear to bamboo underwear.

Downtown Evanston's annual Sip + Stroll ran from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., offering a self-guided tour of the business district. Attendance was free, with a suggested $10 donation at check-in benefiting Kitchen to Community, a youth culinary education nonprofit founded by Nicole Henry.

Downtown Evanston Executive Director Andy Vick handed out orange maps of participating businesses at Life Time gym, one of two check-in locations along with lingerie boutique Bella Otér on Davis Street. Attendees also received color-changing cups.

The businesses ranged from bookstores to art galleries to fitness studios. Crossroads Trading offered champagne and a half-off rack. Bookends & Beginnings poured themed cocktails with a $10 purchase. Life Time provided three hours of free drop-off childcare so parents could stroll unencumbered.

Shannon Handy, owner of BODYBAR Pilates at 710 Church St., said the event coincided with her studio's two-year anniversary. "It's a really nice way to do outreach to the local community, and also, from a business perspective, to get the local community to have awareness on the businesses as well," Handy told The Daily Northwestern.

For some attendees, the stroll surfaced businesses they'd never noticed. Resident Jody Koizumi said she discovered a gym she hadn't known existed and peered into Artem Pop Up Gallery for the first time.

Emerging businesses also participated. Michelle Russ, who runs pet photography business Hilarious Hound, set up a booth displaying dog portraits inside Gather: Consciously Curated on Chicago Avenue. It was her first Sip + Stroll. Russ said she plans to open her own studio in Evanston.

Evanston Professional Moms connected Downtown Evanston with Kitchen to Community as the event's charitable beneficiary. Downtown Evanston's next annual event is the Thursday Night Market on July 9 at Fountain Square, running 5 to 8 p.m.