Red Wing Shoes coming to Crystal Lake

On and off for the past several years, Jim Heisler has had plans to open a Red Wing Shoe Store.

But each time he was ready to go ahead, something happened.

First his father, Leonard Heisler, became ill and then died. And plans were put off for a few years as Heisler took over his family's business, Heisler's Bootery, in downtown Crystal Lake in the early 1990s.

When Heisler was thinking about going ahead again, his wife, Carol, got cancer. After battling for several years, she lost her fight three years ago, and plans were put on hold again as Heisler grieved his spouse.

Now, Heisler said, he's not letting anything stop him from bringing the high-quality shoe store to the area.

With the support of his new wife, Rebecca, and many people throughout the community, Heisler and his son Jason plan to open the store early next month at 1275 Randall Road in Crystal Lake.

"Here we are again. Even a big recession won't slow me down this time," he said. "Red Wing is a great company, and we're excited to represent them in the community. It's all American-made shoe products."

This will be the second Red Wing Shoe Store location along the Randall Road corridor, with one already open in Geneva.

And Heisler, who owns Heisler's Bootery in downtown Crystal Lake, will continue selling Red Wing Shoes from that Williams Street location.

But the new store will have more of a selection. And it will have a special room for demonstrating shoes to businesses in the area.

There will be a grand opening of the store on October 22. But Heisler said people can start shopping probably as early as this weekend.

"It's rolling right along this time," Heisler said. "I feel so good about this. The potential is really great. So many people can find us on Randall Road."

I'm in: Sure, there are plenty of free lunches and dinners out there for kids.

But Barley House along Randall Road in Algonquin is treating moms in the month of September.

Every Tuesday, moms will get their meal free, up to a $13 value.

However, don't think this is a just a free lunch and a free time away from your kids. You have to go with at least one child age 12 or younger. And you have to purchase at least one other meal and one beverage.

Finally, only one free meal allowed per table.

Be very scared: Just in time for the fall months, Halloween USA is coming to the Randall Road corridor.

The store, which sells everything from Halloween costumes to spooky decor, will be opening in the Algonquin Commons Shopping Center, along Randall Road in Algonquin.

Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.