New store uses toys as learning tools
When Sarah Flanagan missed her son's ice cream social at school she knew it was time to change her lifestyle.
Flanagan was working about 70 hours a week and traveling while working as CFO for Honeywell.
"It got to be really hard. She was missing the kids growing up," said her husband, John. He says when his wife was stuck in a meeting and couldn't attend the ice cream social, it was the last straw.
Sarah traded in her corporate career to play with toys.
Sarah and John opened a Learning Express toy store Friday in Algonquin at 117 S. Randall Road near Jewel.
The St. Charles couple is motivated to foster the atmosphere of a neighborhood toy shop.
"We're a specialty toy store offering quality and convenience," John said. The shop offers free gift wrapping and events for children. Staff is knowledgeable about what toys are attractive for particular age groups. The owners strive to offer toys that provide an outlet for creative thinking and learning.
Targeting mainly infants to 8-year-olds, the shop offers products that encourage learning through play, including games and puzzles, developmental toys, arts and crafts kits, science and nature products, construction toys, books, dolls, and other items exclusive to Learning Express and specialty toy retailers.
Other Learning Express stores in the area are found in Barrington, Lake Zurich, Naperville, St. Charles and Glen Ellyn.
The couple is using their previous business experience to operate the business.
Before he was a stay-at-home dad, John owned and operated Subway sandwich stores in the Phoenix area.
"We looked at various franchise opportunities," John said. "We looked at golf shops, but Sarah wasn't thrilled with that idea," he said with a laugh.
"We stumbled across Learning Express and were very impressed with the people there," John said.
Sharon DiMinico founded the company, based in Devens, Mass., in 1987. There are now more than 130 independently owned and operated locations across the country.
For the Flanagans, it was the idea of shopping locally that drew them in.
The couple has two children, Conor, 5, and Jack, 3. "At Learning Express, we believe that toys should be fun and that they should encourage learning through play," Sarah said. "There's magic in watching children learn though play and we're happy to be a part of that experience," she said.
The shop is open from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
For more, check out www.learningexpress.com.
Mortgage plan: HomeTrust Mortgage Corp. based in Schaumburg announced a "No Mortgage Payment for Six Months" home financing option to motivate potential home buyers in the area to take action in a slow real estate market.
"According to our Realtor clients, many home buyers have been sitting on the sidelines, waiting for 'something to happen,'" said Evan Geiselhart, President of HomeTrust. "HomeTrust is trying to help spur activity in home buying. Starting Sept. 1, HomeTrust will offer a mortgage option that defers a home buyer's mortgage payment for up to six months."
Geiselhart, who grew up in Libertyville, is a 23-year veteran of home finance. The mechanics of the option require that a home seller provide a credit to the buyer at closing to pay for the deferral of payment.
New president: William Frick & Co., an innovator and manufacturer of graphic and identification products since 1975, announced that Jeff Brandt has been named company president. Founder William G. Frick will remain the company's chief executive officer.
Brandt's most recent position within the company was executive vice president. In four years, he led the company to sales growth of 70 percent. During the same period, the number of employees increased 50 percent and the company significantly expanded its manufacturing capabilities and creative services.
New eatery: McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurant is set to open in Rosemont this fall. The establishment is expected to open on Sept. 6 at 5320 N. River Road. The new 8,000-square-foot McCormick & Schmick's includes 254 seats in the dining room, 48 seats at the bar, 72 seats in the combined private dining space and 10 seats at the outdoor patio.