Winery, shoe store among possible new offerings

Some positive changes are on the verge of taking place in the tenant mix of the Westin Chicago North Shore development.

All were outlined recently by Michael Firsel, president of Mid-America Development Partners, LLC.

In one of the retail buildings, Cooper's Hawk, a restaurant and winery, is expected to open.

The national chain made its Chicago area debut with its Orland Park location.

The Wheeling location would include a distillery.

"They make their own wine on the premises," Firsel said. "They don't grow the grapes there, but they do everything but that."

In addition, Cooper's Hawk will offer wine tastings.

Other new tenants on the verge of occupying space within the Westin development are Joseph's Shoes, a high-end shoe store, Golden Dream Jewelers, which has a location in the Loop, and an intimate apparel store.

In addition, Firsel said the development has a letter of intent from Flat Top Grill.

Messin' around: Have you ever wished you could close your eyes and the clutter would just disappear and everything would be organized?

Well, for this reporter, the answer would be a resounding, "Yes," albeit a tacit one (outwardly, I just tell people, "It may be a mess, but I know where everything is").

For older adults also answering in the affirmative, a support group is meeting regularly at the Pavilion Senior Center, 199 N. First St., Wheeling

Aimed at those suffering from "chronic clutter and compulsive hoarding," the meetings of the "Wished, Felt & Dreamed" group begin Wednesday and continue on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m.

For additional information, call (847) 459-2670.

An appealing workshop: Wheeling Township Assessor Dan Patlak will present a Property Tax Appeal Workshop for local homeowners on Monday at 7:30 p.m. at Republican Headquarters, 909 E. Rand Road, Arlington Heights.

The workshop, hosted by the Republican Women of Wheeling Township, will prepare taxpayers for the reassessment of the township, which is being finalized by the county assessor. In fact, reassessment notices are expected to be in the mail any day.

Those attending the workshop are asked to bring a copy of a recent property tax bill and, if received by then, a copy of their reassessment notice.

"Once the reassessment notices go out, taxpayers have a limited time in which to appeal," Patlak said. "This reassessment could boost assessed valuations of properties by a significant amount since it hasn't been done in three years."