South Elgin convenience store's opening cause for celebration
Normally, a ribbon-cutting for a new convenience store wouldn't be that big of a deal.
But the opening of RC Convenient Spirit in South Elgin last week was noteworthy for several reasons.
The 2,600-square foot convenience store is one of the only places where South Elgin residents east of the Fox River can buy groceries and other necessities.
It also means the first floor of retail in the four-story River Crossing mixed-use development is almost half full.
"We like the location. There are not any convenience stores on the east side," said Bhadresh Sheth, owner of RC Convenient Spirit, 15 N. Woodbury St.
Sheth's store will be open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday. He also will carry liquor.
The opening is a significant step for River Crossing LLC, which was started by Jim and Judy Tucker after they closed their grocery store in the same area in 1996.
Jim Tucker, developer and builder for 54 condominium units for people 55 and older, said three of six retail suites are now filled.
Tucker hopes the store will help spur sales at the condominium building, which so far is the largest project in South Elgin's Village Center. The project also is located in a special taxing district designed to spur development.
About one-third of the condo units have sold so far. The majority are two-bedroom units. Prices range from $149,000 to $259,000 and top out at more than 1,800 square feet.
"It's going to be great for us. It will make our condos look more alive," Jim Tucker said.
Putt for a purpose: The Northern Illinois Special Recreation Association is prepping for its annual golf outing that helps fund scholarships for disabled children to attend summer day camps.
The NISRA Foundation's 18th Annual Spring Golf Outing will be held June 11 at Foxford Hills, Cary and begins with a shotgun start at 10 a.m., followed by 18 holes of golf and lunch on the course.
A $10,000 putting contest, $1 Million Hole in One contest, prizes, and appetizers also are included.
The cost for single golfers is $125; a foursome is $500, and corporate golf packages and sponsorships are available. Eagle Sponsor for the day is Team REIL, Inc.
For information, call (815) 459-0737, ext. 231 or e-mail jgiese@nisra.org.
NISRA is a cooperative of 13 park districts and cities to provide year-round recreation including Special Olympics training, for residents with disabilities in McHenry County and parts of Cook, Lake and Kane counties.
Congrats to: Thirty-eight people last week who took the attorney's oath administered by Illinois Supreme Court Justice Bob Thomas at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin.
The group was part of 616 men and women who passed the Illinois State Bar Exam, a required ethics examination and were certified by the Committee on Character and Fitness.