J&L's Little Store takes on big competitors
Husband-and-wife team Jay and Lisa Walls are going up against the big guy.
The couple opened J&L's Little Store, a convenience store at 871 S. Roselle Road in the Kingsport Plaza, between Weathersfield Way and Wise Road in Schaumburg, near the Taco Bell.
The motto at the shop is "little store, little prices, big savings," Lisa said. The family operated business that opened last week offers everything from bottled water to over the counter medicine.
"Our competitors are the 7-Elevens and gas stations," Lisa said. "We try to offer lower prices on the everyday items." A can of Coke at the shop sells for 65 cents, a Snicker's candy bar is 50 cents and a large sports cap water bottle is $1, she said. Snacks, energy drinks and household products are also offered.
The couple said they are leaving room on the shelves and plan to add more products based on what the customers request.
Prior to launching the business, Lisa worked in the corporate world in the information technology industry. She grew frustrated after her job was outsourced twice in a short time. Jay was in the manufacturing arena and has worked as a personal fitness trainer.
The couple decided they wanted to take control of their careers in launching the business. They first considered a restaurant, but the cost prohibited that concept. "There's less start-up costs with this," Jay said.
Finding the right location was the most difficult part. They believe the convenience store fits in perfectly in the strip mall where there are 23 shops, including hair salons, a nail salon, Indian and German restaurants and a dog grooming parlor.
The entrepreneurs said the other tricky part has been getting the money together and allocating it properly. "It's a big risk. This is truly a step of faith," Lisa said.
The couple resides in Hoffman Estates where they are raising four children, Ulysses, 15, Yazmin, 14, Katiyana, 13, and Alex, 12.
Lisa, 34, said her parents, from El Salvador, immigrated to Chicago in the late 1960s. She was born and raised in Chicago.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony is taking place at the store today at 11:30 a.m.
The business is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. For more information, call (847) 524-7818.
Fertility clinic moves: The Fertility Institute of Edward: Charles E. Miller & Associates has moved its Arlington Heights office to Schaumburg at 1900 E. Golf Road, Suite L125, across the street from Woodfield Shopping Center.
Miller, an infertility expert and gynecological surgeon, is president and medical director of the institute. The practice also has an office at 120 Osler Drive on the campus of Edward Hospital in Naperville and will open a new office Sept. 4 in Building B, Suite 205, on the Edward Plainfield campus, 127th St. and Van Dyke Road in Plainfield.
The clinic's new name emphasizes the partnership between Miller and the hospital.