Fresh Market still getting ambitious fresh look

For those waiting for the Fresh Market at 350 Lake Marian Road in Carpentersville to open, don't hold your breath for a pre-Thanksgiving holiday opening.

Janice Murphy, the village's economic development and special projects coordinator, said the store should open sometime in December. But even that, Murphy said, is ambitious.

It was reported earlier this summer that the store would open in August, but that month has come and gone.

Murphy said owner, Gus Tzotzolis -- who also owns Elgin's Fresh Market and Elgin Fruit Market -- is doing more work on the store than originally planned.

"He is doing more work than he originally intended," Murphy said. "He has that high standard and therefore he is doing more work on the inside than he originally planned."

Tzotzolis' original budget for building enhancements was $1.7 million. But the addition of a stone facade has pushed the budget to more than $2 million.

While the stone facade is complete, Tzotzolis is still busy painting, drywalling and installing new floors. The interior build-out of shelves and display racks is also yet to be finished.

Tzotzolis did not have a time frame of when the store might open.

Up until last fall, the building housed a Jewel-Osco for about 35 years. That store closed last year because the grocery store chain did not want to renew its lease.

Group gets grant

Congratulations are in order for Administer Justice, an East Dundee faith-based nonprofit organization that provides legal, educational, financial and conflict resolution services to the underprivileged.

On Nov. 27, telecommunications company AT&T will award the prestigious Excelerator grant of $18,845 to Administer Justice for it's innovative Justice Center Online System.

The grant helps non-profit organizations fully integrate technology into their ongoing operations and community outreach.

A press release from Administer Justice says the Justice Center Online is an innovative new system that combines data, communication and reporting features to significantly advance the ability to provide access to justice for those of low-income from anyplace with an Internet connection.

This system is being developed and piloted by Administer Justice and a legal-aid service provider in Oklahoma, the release also states.

It is anticipated that the system could be used by legal-aid organizations world-wide to enhance the delivery of legal services to those most in need, according to the release.

Cookie walk coming up

First Congregational Church of Dundee will have its annual Cookie Walk from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 15 at the church, 900 S. Eighth St., West Dundee. Admission is free. Homemade holiday cookies and candies will be available in many varieties. Call (847) 426-2161, ext. 210 or visit www.dundeefcc.org.