Articles filed under Small Business

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BlackFinn buyer has Naperville mayor’s endorsement May 13, 2013 12:00 AM
Is a BlackFinn by any other name still a BlackFinn? Several Naperville officials don’t think so.Everyone from the mayor to police chief to the head of the chamber of commerce says local businessman Jim Bergeron’s pending purchase and takeover of the downtown BlackFinn American Saloon can only benefit both the city and the business.
McDonald's cuts Angus burgers from menu May 9, 2013 12:00 AM
McDonald's is cutting the Angus burger from its menu.The Oak Brook-based company had said earlier this year that it was evaluating whether to continue selling the Angus Third Pounders, which were introduced in 2009 and are among the chain's priciest items. The company also said at the time that it was it was cutting Chicken Selects and Fruit & Walnut Salad.
Hanover Park bank, SCORE to hold free breakfast seminars May 8, 2013 12:00 AM
Hanover Park Community Bank, along with the Small Business Administration nonprofit association SCORE, will host two free breakfast seminars on May 15 and June 26.
Bogusz: Des Plaines open for business May 7, 2013 12:00 AM
New Des Plaines Mayor Matt Bogusz kicked off his first day on the job by visiting local businesses Tuesday morning, before heading to Springfield to meet with the city's lobbyists and lawmakers to talk about proposed gambling expansion legislation. "It's a top priority," he said, adding that he has been working behind the scenes to keep abreast of any new developments in proposed gambling expansion legislation.
Biggby Coffee, Campbell Street Dogs now one restaurantMay 7, 2013 12:00 AM
Two closed restaurants in Arlington Hts. have combined to form one new restaurant, which opened Tuesday, May 7. The Daily Grind Grille, 5 W. Campbell St., is the brainchild born of Biggby Coffee and Campbell Street Hot Dogs.
Tony's Finer Foods opening Wednesday in Hanover Park May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Tony's Finer Foods, which emphasizes its selection of international products, will open Wednesday in Hanover Park, a village that is proud of its diversity. "The closest stores to here are in Melrose Park and Niles, so we felt that coming out west could work," said Tony Ingraffia, a co-owner. "There's a great variety of people here."
Sports offer small business marketing opportunities May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Want to reach homeowners? Looking for young families with kids and solid incomes? The Chicago Red Stars have them. So do the Chicago Wolves and Schaumburg Boomers. Small Business columnist Jim Kendall explores the marketing topic.
Half Price Books now open for business in Algonquin May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
A new bookstore now is open in the former Borders Books location along the Randall Road corridor in the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center. Half Price Books opened last month inside half of the vacant Borders Books location, the first store of its kind in the Fox Valley area.
Buffalo Grove’s Candy Bouquet offers alternative to flowers May 6, 2013 12:00 AM
Candy Bouquet in Buffalo Grove offers an alternative to flowers. The owner talks about the purpose of the business, which is to create floral like arrangements with hard candy and chocolate.
Barrington, Crystal Lake women launch online bridal gown businessMay 6, 2013 12:00 AM
When Bree DiMucci of Barrington was getting married about two years ago, she had 12 weeks to find a dress before the ceremony. Yet many boutiques and bridal salons said she'd never have her dress delivered on time. Or they would charge her extra fees to get it quickly.
Businesses may get sticker shock on health care May 5, 2013 12:00 AM
Small business owners may be experiencing sticker shock now that insurers are revealing the rates they want to charge under the new health care law. Many are worried that paying for health care will hurt profits and have held back on hiring, spending or expanding. The information that's been released to date is providing some insight, but not enough for small businesses to be comfortable about making big financial moves.
Artists seeking support for Lombard community art center idea May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
A creative environment where artists of all types can express themselves and produce their works is brewing in the minds of a small group who would like to see such a space in downtown Lombard. Led by photographer Sharon Tinker, a few artists and writers are developing a community arts center, and many are hoping the center eventually could be located downtown. "I just want a space where I can go and create that's away from my home environment," Tinker said. "I didn't want to work out of my home, and I'm not in a position where I can go into a storefront."
Elgin downtown association develops ideas May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
The first "Downtown Brainstorm" of the year in Elgin will result in concrete action, including making sure marketing fliers are written in both English and Spanish, organizers said. Getting the word out might also include utilizing space at the city's Metra stations.
Business owners more upbeat about their companies May 3, 2013 12:00 AM
Small business owners are getting more optimistic about their companies, according to two surveys released this week. Improving company finances helped lift owners optimism in a survey conducted in early April by Wells Fargo & Co. and Gallup.
Preckwinkle: Development efforts must be regionalApr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Investing in education and infrastructure is the key to economic growth in Cook County, coupled with a focus on the region and not just Chicago, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Tuesday during a business luncheon in Palatine. "We're at the core of the region," she said. "My view is our goal has to be to figure out how we can support economic development and growth in the region as a whole."
Wheeling’s EZSave allows consumers to return multiple times for deals Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Wheeling-based EZSaveCard.com, which offers discounts at large and small suburban businesses, has updated its website featuring about 400 businesses and offers a new lifetime membership for consumers. The EZSave card looks like a credit card but it's used to get discounts every time a consumer visits the EZSave website and its participating businesses, such as Abt Electronics in Glenview, Biggby Coffee in Arlington Heights, Continental Restaurant in Buffalo Grove, and Medieval Times in Schaumburg, said President Bob Rycraft.
Glen Ellyn puts regulations on secondhand storesApr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
Jewelry stores and other retailers in Glen Ellyn that sell secondhand goods are now being required to photograph and catalog items they purchase in an effort to help local law enforcement recover stolen goods. Police say the ordinance approved by the village board this week is a way to help victims of burglaries and thefts recover their property. But some business owners affected by the new rules say the regulations are going to be too cumbersome.
Aurora Hispanic Chamber brings back business expo Apr 30, 2013 12:00 AM
The Aurora Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is reviving its business expo after a two-year hiatus as the organization looks to bolster its presence in the community.
Hoffman Estates couple hits home run with business, life Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
Kukec's People features Kate Mitchum met Tony Feo, who met while she was playing in a women's baseball league and he was helping to coach a practice. Mitchum was in an administrative position with the league and didn't think twice about Feo. "I ignored him for a year," she said. That didn't last. Now they own a company together in Lake Zurich and are planning to get married.
Uncertainties make chat with tax adviser a good idea Apr 29, 2013 12:00 AM
There are some small business and small business owner tax positives in 2013, but there also are some issues that make a conversation with your CPA, and maybe your estate attorney, a good idea. Small Business Columnist Jim Kendall explores the issue.