Wauconda rich in new businesses

Once a small lakefront community known more for boats than businesses, Wauconda's favorite recreational activity lately has been grand openings.

After a push to draw commerce that's included everything from promotional programs to a committee devoted to spurring local economy, Wauconda has enjoyed success in the midst of a tough real estate market.

"We're very active," said Debra Ogorzaly, executive director for the Chamber of Commerce in Wauconda, where nearly a dozen businesses opened or expanded in recent months.

Rich Anderson said there were two reasons he just opened his Barb's Hallmark store in Wauconda: the village didn't have a Hallmark store yet, and it had a chamber willing to bend over backward.

"The chamber has … been more helpful than I could ever imagine," he said. "They really expressed their interest in wanting us there."

The village has fought in many ways to draw business, creating an economic development committee and putting Ogorzaly into a part-time position as village director of economic development.

She developed programs, such as last year's Christmas shopping promotion that created $40,000 in sales at local stores and businesses.

"We do have a lot of things happening in Wauconda," said Ogorzaly, who adds the village's 40 percent population growth since the 2000 Census hasn't hurt. "If I were an entrepreneur, I'd be coming."

Ogorzaly said the village also contacts business site selectors to "sell" Wauconda. She points out there are some goods -- such as clothing --the village's 13,000 residents have to leave town to find.

Business owner Vickie Laureys said Ogorzaly even helped her find a site for her new location. Laureys owns Vickie's Personal Touch Salon, which recently expanded and moved.

The focus on business appears to be working.

Wauconda mainstay Lindy's Landing recently completed a sweeping expansion, as did Dock's Bar and Grill, the Dollar Tree and Vickie's Personal Touch. An expanded Lucky D's (formerly Metropol) opens soon.

New businesses include Barb's Hallmark and Advance Auto Parts. Starbucks, Chase Bank and National Fitness and Tan are on the way.

"I've been spending a lot of time at ribbon-cuttings," Mayor Salvatore Saccomanno said.

One reason for the spate of openings, he said, is residents moving in from more developed communities such as Arlington Heights.

"They come from environments where they have everything right there," he said.

Laurie Barth, who owns Lindy's Landing and is vice president at the Wauconda chamber, said business owners walk a fine line between giving residents the commerce they want and preserving the small-town feel.

"We don't want to sacrifice the past in lieu of progressing for the future," Barth said. She agreed that in the four years Ogorzaly has worked on economic development, business has spiked. "It wasn't until they brought (Ogorzaly) in that I felt things really started happening."

Ogorzaly credits any success to village leadership dedicated to holding out open arms to business.

"There's just this positive energy," she said. "People know where Wauconda is. We've gotten on the map."