No 'mom jeans' to be found at Hot Mama

There is a new store along the Randall Road corridor that is hoping to help moms look hot both while they're pregnant and long afterward, too.

Hot Mama opened last month in Algonquin, at 1958 S. Randall Road.

This is Hot Mama's fifth store in the Chicago area, and the Minnesota-based company's 13th store overall. The other Illinois locations are in Deer Park, Glenview, Evanston and Naperville.

Wendy Krause, traveling manager for the store, said the name fools some. They think it's a maternity store.

But really, she said, only about 30 percent of the store's items are maternity clothes.

The rest, are regular-sized, she said.

"Everyone's been kind of curious to see who we are and what we're about. We really cater to the lifestyle needs of moms," Krause said. "We have specific fits of clothing to help keep them trendy and fashionable.

"We want to make moms look and feel hot, and create a positive, feel-good attitude about themselves," she said.

In addition to catering to moms, Hot Mama along Randall Road also has things for the people that tag along with the moms while they're shopping.

For the husbands, they have a comfortable seating area where they can hang out while their wives shop.

And for the youngsters, there's a fun kids area with games, a train table and animal crackers.

The store also hands out balloons to the kids to help keep them happy.

To check it out in person, visit the store in Algonquin Commons.

The store, Krause said, does have a Web site. But she warns customers not to Google "hot mama" to find their clothes. Instead, she encourages them to visit www.shopmama.com.

For information call the store at (847) 458-8900.

Not far away: Right next to Hot Mama is another new store along Randall Road.

United Sports is now open at 1956 S. Randall in Algonquin.

The store sells sports-oriented apparel and accessories.

For information call (847) 458-7463.

Ride in style: To help you get into the holiday spirit, and to give your tired feet a rest, Geneva Commons along Randall Road is offering free horse-drawn carriage rides this month.

On Sunday, Dec. 13 and 20, you can hop on board from noon to 4 p.m.

The festively-decorated carriage will carry you from one end of the outdoor mall to the next so you can hit all of the stores on your quest to find the perfect Christmas gift.

Santa also will at the mall on Sundays too from noon to 3 p.m. But he'll be strolling on foot from store to store, greeting children along the way.

Snuggly storytime: Grab your favorite stuffed animal and head either to the Borders along Randall Road in Geneva Commons or Algonquin Commons on Saturday, Dec. 12.

Starting at 11 a.m. at both stores, Borders will be hosting Beckett the Bear Holiday Storytime, featuring the store's new holiday stuffed bear.

Kids will get to hear stories, learn about the new bear and show off their favorite stuffed animals to one another during the free event.

• 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.