Downtown merchants help fellow store owners
Downtown business owners pulled together after many lost power last week.
While most of downtown went dark on Aug. 23, one block at Campbell and South Dunton still had power, according to Mary Ellen Hogan, who owns Urban Harvest.
To help out, Urban Harvest and Beaner's Coffee opened their doors as an oasis for food, beverages, computer hookups and even phones. Urban Harvest also lent cooler space to Amlings to help save some of its roses.
Power in downtown went out around 3 p.m. on Thursday and wasn't fully restored until Sunday morning.
Some Arlington Heights homeowners weren't so lucky and had to wait until Tuesday.
As of Monday, 285 Arlington Heights homes were still without power, said public works Director Scott Shirley.
ComEd reps said power was back on for everyone by Tuesday.
Beef, pizza or both: Mr. Beef & Pizza recently opened in the Arlington Annex shopping center at the southwest corner of Rand and Arlington Heights roads. Mr. Beef offers pizza, pasta, beef, salads and a whole menu page of salads.
There is another Mr. Beef & Pizza in Mount Prospect. Check out the menu at www.mrbeefpizza.com.
Brama Bread gets early OK: Arlington Heights resident Agnes Zietek wants to open her Brama Bread store downtown at 6 S. Dunton Ave. The plan commission approved her plan last week. Zietek will still need final approval from the village board.
If approved, Brama Bread's menu will feature everything from sandwiches and salads to pancakes and omelets. Brama will specialize in breakfasts and lunches that are low-calorie and low-cholesterol. According to a village staff report, Brama would have seating for about 20 people and be open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. six days a week, according to a staff report.
Movie star stops by track: While Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and their kids were spotted all over Chicago last week, actor James McAvoy, stopped by the Arlington Park race track on Aug. 24, according to track insiders.
McAvoy was in Chicago filming the same movie as Jolie. The movie, "Wanted," also stars Morgan Freeman will hit theaters on March 28.
Brad and Angelina hit the Field Museum and the Chicago Air & Water Show while in Chicago.
Happy birthday, Windsor: Windsor Elementary School will celebrate turning 50 with an ice cream social at 12:05 p.m. Tuesday -- the first day of school in Arlington Heights Elementary District 25. Windsor staff, students and siblings are all invited following dismissal of the first day of school.