MainStreet Libertyville honors volunteers

MainStreet Libertyville, a volunteer-based nonprofit organization whose mission is preserving and promoting the downtown area, recently recognized outstanding volunteers at its annual meeting.

Honorees included Bob Bachochin, Joanne Silvertrust, Bob Rettig and Joan Suzio, Kevin Downing and Maggie Frisch. Liz Kestler, who manages MainStreet’s Facebook page, was named Volunteer of the Year.

Four downtown businesses were acknowledged for their anniversaries: Petranek’s Pharmacy, (141 years), The Runner’s Edge (10 years), Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory (10 years) and North Shore Pro Active Health (5 years).

Honorees Mark and Pete Kakenmaster, owners of the building at 620 N. Milwaukee Ave., currently the site of Yo Froot Café, were praised for its renovation.

“The ongoing private reinvestment represents the spirit and confidence by local building owners to sustain a vibrant downtown,” said Pam Hume, executive director.

Kestler said she was grateful for the chance to participate with the MainStreet Libertyville community, and honored to be selected as volunteer of the year.

Cheri Lindell, owner of Dancenter North, received the Dom Lentini award, in memoriam of a longtime downtown business owner who was an avid supporter of the MainStreet Libertyville program.

The award is presented each year to a downtown business owner for their exceptional leadership and dedication in the promotion and benefit of the downtown community following the principles of the MainStreet Libertyville organization.

“I am very grateful to MainStreet for this wonderful award and for making downtown Libertyville such a gathering place to benefit all of our businesses,” Lindell said.