Too many local restaurants closing up shop
It hasn't been a kind summer to Palatine eateries.
In the last month alone, both Alemar's and Marlowe's restaurants have closed their doors.
Alemar's, at Dundee and Quentin roads, served its last meal Thursday after 22 years of business.
"It's with great sadness that we close," said Alemar's owner Marilyn Alevras. "Unfortunately we are the latest victim of our sad economic times."
She's looking for a developer to buy the corner property, which will remain vacant in the meantime.
The story behind Marlowe's, which has served New American cuisine since the mid-1990s, isn't quite as clear. Owner Warren Schew couldn't be reached, but a former employee said the restaurant, at Euclid and Quentin roads, was still profitable. It was the landlord who wouldn't renew Marlowe's lease, she said, in order to open a sports bar.
The building has seen a lot of turnover. Marlowe's has always been housed in one half, while Tamale Wally's and Toscana have come and gone in the other half. Most recently, Marlowe's was using the extra space for banquet services.
Palatine Assistant Village Manager Sam Trakas said there's no official word yet on a future tenant.
Two times the fright: Haunted house aficionados won't have to go far to get their fill of scares this Halloween season.
In addition to the second annual Palatine Jaycees Hometown Haunt, the company Spike Master LLC will put on the Psychosis Haunted House. Both will be housed in the shopping plaza at the northeast corner of Hicks Road and Northwest Highway.
The Psychosis event will be a fundraiser for the Buddy Foundation in Arlington Heights. Spike Master LLC will donate 35 percent of each ticket to the no-kill animal shelter until its operating costs are recouped, and then will give away 100 percent of profits.
Spike Master's owners must first address what Palatine's village manager called "significant life safety issues." In all, 17 building code violations were identified.
The Jaycees, meanwhile, have signed off on the neighboring event.
Growing tradition: After 70 years, business at Kinsch Village Florist & Greenhouses in downtown Palatine is still blooming.
The third generation of Kinsches to run the garden center operation, Valerie and Ken, will celebrate with a weekend of festivities and sales.
Kinsch Village, at 301 W. Johnson St., will stay open until 10 p.m. Friday, with a performance from 7 to 9 p.m. by local classical guitarist, composer and teacher Michael Herndon.
On Saturday, the store will offer free gardening classes in the morning, as well as kids activities, a coloring contest and garden giveaways.
For more information, call (847) 359-1182 or go to kinschflorist.com.
Got the scoop on what's going on in Palatine? Contact Kimberly Pohl at (847) 427-4472 or kpohl@dailyherald.com.