Volkswagen dealership coming to Elgin auto mall

The long-awaited second tenant at the Elgin auto mall along the Randall Road corridor is under construction.

Work has begun on a Volkswagen dealership at the mall, which sits at the intersection of I-90 and Randall Road, said Marc Mylott, community development director for the city of Elgin.

When completed, the dealership building will be 36,195 square feet, Mylott said.

The exact completion date of the dealership, which will be on the north side of the mall, is unknown, Mylott said.

Presently, the project is called Elgin Volkswagen, but the name could change once the dealership opens.

The auto mall opened with its first tenant in 2009, and with the hope that more soon would follow.

But McGrath Honda has been the sole tenant in the 10-lot mall since the opening.

The auto mall has been in foreclosure proceedings in Kane County since 2013, but interest in the mall still continues, officials said.

Quick, cool meals:

Just in time for the warm weather, when you feel more like being outside than cooking, the Williams Sonoma along Randall Road in Geneva is hosting a class to help you.

On Sunday, April 26, the store in Geneva Commons is hosting "Spring Into Action with Vitamix."

During the presentation, the store and the blender girl, Tess Masters, will be teaching you how make the most of your machines.

They'll give you expert tips and tricks on preparing delicious and healthy recipes, including soups, smoothies and nut butters.

The class is free and begins at 10 a.m.

You can contact the store to register at (630) 262-8390.

For the junior chef:

If you're younger, but still an aspiring chef, Williams Sonoma in Geneva has a class for you too, this weekend.

At 10 a.m. Saturday, April 25, the store is offering a Junior Chef: Baking Bundts class.

In the class, children ages 5 to 13 will learn about popular Bundt cakes.

They'll get to make one for their family, too.

The kids will get to make different flavors and sizes of cakes, and also top them with three different glazes - vanilla, chocolate ganache and lemon.

You can contact the store to register at (630) 262-8390.

Moving soon:

Morkes, the popular chocolate shop just off the Randall Road corridor in Algonquin, will soon be temporarily closing its doors.

In May, the business will close its Algonquin location in preparation for a move to Huntley.

Morkes is moving into a newly-constructed building in downtown Huntley along Main Street.

It still will offer its signature homemade chocolates, parties and hand-dipped strawberries that make it such a draw along the Randall Road corridor.

When is opens at the new spot in June, though, it also will be offering additional treats including doughnuts and Italian ice, as well as coffee.

If you're used to getting your chocolate fix as you travel up and down the Randall Road corridor, you'll want to stop into Morkes soon before it closes in preparation for the move.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.