Livingston Kitchens opens
Husband-and-wife team Mary and James Livingston recently moved their business closer to home.
Livingston Kitchens, which operated at the Merchandise Mart for the past 15 years, is now next to Deer Park Town Center at 21760-A W. Long Grove Road.
The focus at the full-service design firm is upscale kitchens and bathrooms.
"What sets us apart is that we're a dealership of Wood-Mode, one of the oldest, largest custom cabinet manufacturers. The line offers custom and semi-custom lines," Mary said.
The business highlights a team of six designers who came with them from the Chicago location. The new showroom allows clients to see full-themed rooms.
"Instead of just a vignette, you'll see a full room with the floors, paint, cabinets and counters. It's different," Mary said.
James, 54, has been in the industry for more than 30 years. He started building and designing custom furniture and then started working with cabinetmakers before launching the business.
"We can do anything from a home addition to a bathroom remodel," Mary said of the design work.
The Livingston's live in Cary and have been looking for the right suburban location for the business for several years. The couple has four sons. Their oldest son, Matt, assists in the development and operations department at the business, primarily working on condominium projects.
The couple spent most of their years in Oakwood Hills where Mary served as an elected trustee.
The showroom hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, or by appointment.
For more information, call (847) 726-2007 or check out www.livingstonkitchens.com.
Flame grilled chicken: El Pollo Loco opened Monday in Hanover Park at 7310 Barrington Road near Irving Park Road.
The eatery is the third of nearly 30 planned restaurants in the Chicago area.
The chain is well known on the West Coast and known for its signature citrus-marinated, flame-grilled chicken served with warm tortillas, assortment of fresh salsas and wide variety of fresh, contemporary Mexican-inspired entrees.
Following the brand's debut at the Taste of Chicago a couple years ago, the first El Pollo Loco opened in October 2005 in Logan Square. The second opened a year later in Melrose Park.
The Hanover Park location is about 2,500 square feet and offers seating for more than 90.
The company was founded in Guasave, Mexico, in 1975. The name, pronounced "L Po-yo Lo-co" is Spanish for The Crazy Chicken. The first U.S. restaurant opened in 1980. There are now 385 of the eateries.