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New La Grange restaurant fulfills career goal

Chef Grant Slauterbeck, who has spent his career in the restaurant management industry assisting others open various venues, has reached his ultimate goal in launching his own place.

"This is what I have wanted to do my whole life," Slauterbeck said last week before the opening of Fourteensixteen restaurant in downtown La Grange. The Tinley Park resident says the eatery at 14 W. Calendar Ave. features urban flavors and decor along with rooftop dining.

Slauterbeck took his experience in opening other establishments to design the restaurant in a 130-year-old building featuring a 100-seat dining room, bar area and 60-seat lounge rooftop terrace. He jokes that he's not a "control freak" but says, "I wanted everything to line up just right, from the food to the design."

His business partners are Martin Gula, owner of an industrial restaurant maintenance group, and Zybanek Blaha, who helped build the new business that takes the space of two storefronts located at 14 and 16 Calendar Avenue. The name of the business stems from the address. The eatery is a sister restaurant to Marion Street Market, which he has helped to operate in Oak Park for 12 years.

Slauterbeck says he is proud of the craftsmanship and detail of the restaurant. The decor is industrial yet tasteful from the rustic mosaic mirrors to the antique water gage light fixtures and contemporary garage doors, he says. "There was a lot of demolition. We gutted the place," he said, adding that "you have to have a clear vision and talented people."

He worked with executive chef Bret Bohning to develop the menu that features highlights including Rushing Waters Trout Crudo with sweet corn, cucumber and eggplant and Pot Stickers with scallops, Pho broth, scallion, bean sprout, ginger, Thai basil and dehydrated lime.

Slauterbeck started working at a restaurant when he was a senior at University of Michigan, where he studied music. He was hooked.

"It takes a different type of person to thrive in a kitchen," he said. "The order of the kitchen intrigued me," and Slauterbeck began learning the trade while living in the Ann Arbor area. He realized that Chicago would be a better location to foster his culinary drive and he launched GCC Chicagoland, a restaurant management and consulting company. He worked with others to open new restaurants including Pinstripes and the Glenview House.

When Slauterbeck, 41, moved to the suburbs with his wife, he grew tired of the dining options and decided it was time to launch his own place. The entrepreneur, who describes himself as passionate, said, "This is something La Grange has never seen before."

New partner

For Michael Lepper of the Darien branch at Impact Networking, six years have been rewarding. Lepper was promoted to a partner at the company based in Lake Forest.

After graduating from Northern Illinois University in 2010, Lepper joined the Impact team as an account manager and he received the Rookie of the Year Award the following year.

He has risen to leadership positions by mentoring others and building highly successful teams. Founded in 1999, Impact employs more than 280 people at its 11 Midwest locations.

The firm uses automation to help businesses reduce redundant, manual or paper-based processes.

Clothing stores open

Two popular clothing stores have opened at Chicago Premium Outlets in Aurora.

Children's apparel brand Hanna Andersson opened earlier this month. The Swedish inspired retailer is known for its soft, indestructible cotton-wear that has been around for more than 30 years.

And Lands' End, known for its casual apparel and outerwear for men, women and children, was set to open Sept. 16. Founded in a basement office on Chicago's Elston Avenue in 1963, Lands' End has grown into a global apparel and lifestyle company known for its high quality, honest value and now-famous unconditional return policy.

Two and a half decades of cabinets

ARA Cabinets 4 U is celebrating the beginning of its 25th year in business at a Wheeling location. ARA's Kitchen and Bath Studio located at 39 S. Milwaukee Ave., features dozens of creative kitchen and bath displays, highlighting the latest remodeling trends. To honor this occasion, when a prospective customer contemplating a complete remodel of their kitchen meets with an ARA design consultant, the client can receive a free gift with a value of $25. In addition, ARA is offering 20 percent off three of three U.S. cabinetry lines: Shiloh, Eclipse, and Aspect.

Negotiation complete

Rosemont-based Lee & Associates negotiated the sale/lease-back of a 51,200 square foot industrial building at 7725 S. Quincy St. in Willowbrook.

Tru Fragrance & Beauty will remain in the facility on a long-term lease. Principals Terry Grapenthin and Jeff Galante of Lee & Associates represented the seller, Tru Fragrance & Beauty.

The buyer of the property was Zilber Property Group.

After assisting in opening other area restaurants, Chef Grant Slauterbeck is opening his own venue in La Grange.
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Wood fired steak and clock shadow cheese curds are highlights on the menu.
Michael Lepper
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