For many professionals logging long hours throughout the work week, the weekend is always back of mind, with its promise of unlimited time to exercise, pursue hobbies, binge watch television and catch up with friends. Yet somehow it rarely seems to really deliver, because there’s laundry to do, errands to run and a bunch of little things to fix around the house.
Luckily, Chicago tech is here to help. If you need a weekend of me-time and simply putting off your to-dos isn’t an option, these companies will help take some stuff off your plate.
Love spending your weekends in the kitchen? On-demand grocery delivery service Peapod delivers food and household items directly to your door to save you the trip to the grocery store. Spend the extra time trying a new side dish recipe — or watch an extra episode on Netflix if that’s more your style.
Home cooking not your thing? Grubhub can bring you something from a restaurant instead. The Chicago tech staple offers deliveries from more than 2,000 restaurants in Chicago alone, so finding something to your liking shouldn’t be a problem.
Piles of laundry can put a serious damper on anyone’s weekend — particularly if your apartment lacks an in-unit washer and dryer. Chicago laundry and dry cleaning startup DRYV partners with nearby cleaners to pick up your laundry and return it clean and folded within 36 hours. The company offers pick ups and drop offs every day of the week within specified one-hour windows, allowing them to work around your schedule.
High-quality footwear never goes out of style, but even the sleekest pair of boots wears down at some point. On-demand cobbler startup Shoe Drop has convenient pick up and drop off locations throughout the city that can be found through its app for iOS and Android. The company offers everything from shoe shines and weather proofing to sole replacements, stitching and custom repairs. It also does work on handbags and sneakers.
Need some last-minute supplies for a party or a treat-yo-self night? No need to leave your cozy apartment. Foxtrot is an on-demand corner store that delivers everything from beer, wine and spirits to food, snacks, toiletries and gifts.
The weekend is usually a great time to spend some quality time with your pet, but some weekend plans just aren’t as pet friendly as others. If you’re planning a day out and about with your friends, UrbanLeash will happily send someone to check in on your cat or take your dog for a walk. They’ll even send you pictures and notes about the visit.
Need a massage to start the next week anew? LISA brings licensed massage and beauty professionals directly to your doorstep on demand or by appointment. The company also offers haircuts, nails and face treatments to help you look and feel great.
If you like cleanliness more than the cleaning itself, an on-demand cleaning service might be just what you need. Wischen, an app-based cleaning service, can send someone over to shine up your place before your friends come over, do a seasonal deep clean or take care of your weekly apartment touch up. Wischen’s services are available 24/7, so finding a time that works shouldn’t be a problem.
The waiting room of a neighborhood auto shop is nobody’s idea of a great weekend hangout spot. Oak Brook-based Otobots will connect you with an auto mechanic who’ll check on your car in your garage or driveway. The company will also quote you a price estimate ahead of time after you supply them with some basic information about your car.
Images via listed companies.
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