Small town Rosemont welcomes biggest events
Far more people work and play in Rosemont than could possible live there.
In fact, the village estimates it welcomes an average of 50,000 people a day into its borders, measuring 2.5 square miles and home to roughly 4,000 residents.
Sandwiched between O'Hare International Airport and the city of Chicago, Rosemont has created a thriving mecca of tourism, entertainment and convention and trade-show business, attracting visitors from around the world.
Although the town operates like a successful business, Rosemont provides an excellent quality of life for those who live there.
Housing is comprised of condos and the main residential area of single-family homes in a gated community, said John Schmalbach, broker and associate with RE/MAX Properties Northwest. “There's always a guard on duty, and police patrol the neighborhood, so people like the security.”
“I feel so safe here that I rarely even lock my doors,” said Carol Fritz, Rosemont resident and Realtor with Century 21 Elm Realtors. Fritz must move from the community she loves so much to be closer to family.
”My house is on the market now, but I don't want to leave Rosemont. My heart isn't into moving. I love Rosemont. I love the conveniences; the park district is phenomenal the health club, everything. I can't think of one negative aspect of Rosemont.”
Residents of the community receive a property tax rebate each year about this time. Or, as Fritz says, “We get a grant back every year, the amount depending on how much you pay in taxes, but you get something for Christmas shopping and to pay your income taxes.”
Another benefit of living in Rosemont is the highly rated Rosemont Elementary School, with classes through eighth grade. “It's a great school, absolutely great,” Fritz said.
There's not a lot of real estate activity in the community because those who work for the village are required to live in town and tend to remain in their homes. The small residential area occupies 25 percent of the village, with the rest being commercial and industrial properties that benefit from proximity to O'Hare International Airport.
If fitness is a priority, nearby forest preserves provide walking paths amid natural beauty while the new Rosemont Health & Fitness Club is a modern facility offering a total health care experience with state-of-the-art equipment, an on-site beauty shop, martial arts studio and cafe.
“Residents get a good rate, and there's so much going on there,” Fritz said.
Residents enjoy all the amenities for which Rosemont is known a variety of world-class hotels, fine dining, performing arts and live musical entertainment, professional sporting events and a new entertainment district.
Rows of hotels include most of the major chains with attractive lobbies, nice restaurants and other amenities. Residents can enjoy a getaway weekend close to home.
For fine dining, several well-known restaurants reside in Rosemont, including Nick's Fishmarket, a culinary landmark for more than 30 years serving fresh seafood, premium dry-aged steaks and fine wines. With an elegant clublike setting, Morton's The Steakhouse serves awesome steaks, which People magazine rated “the best steaks in America.” And Gibsons is another great steakhouse called a “meat eater's paradise.” Carlucci's is an award-winning Tuscan Italian restaurant. Many more excellent restaurants include a variety of ethnic cuisine.
For a night out on the town, there's always something happening in Rosemont. The Rosemont Theatre, which opened in 1995 with its grand lobby, features world-class entertainment with everything from lavish Broadway musicals to “Sesame Street Live” for kids.
One of the largest indoor entertainment facilities in the Chicago area, Allstate Arena, features live concerts, college and professional sporting events and other family shows.
A new multimillion dollar entertainment district The Park at Rosemont offers a new destination for people to enjoy after four years of planning. This will become the downtown area that the late Mayor Donald Stephens and his son, current Mayor Bradley Stephens, have envisioned.
The Park at Rosemont has become a winter wonderland this season with a temporary ice rink, holiday music and refreshments. This family activity is free and open to the public with skate rental available.
Also in the works is a new stadium for the Chicago Bandits, a professional women's softball team. “They have already set up tournaments for travel teams for the summer,” Schmalbach said. “It's always good for the kids to be involved in sports, and families enjoy it, too.”
Another major attraction is The Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, which welcomes 1.3 million guests each year to events ranging from large trade shows to the annual gem and jewelry show.
Rosemont sits in an excellent location that can't be beat, Fritz said. “We're five minutes from O'Hare, and whether you want to head to Chicago or to the burbs, every expressway is at your back door.”
The Metra station is just west of the Rosemont Theatre and the CTA station north of the Stephens Center. Combined with the RTA bus and train access, travel to Rosemont is convenient for everyone.