Barrington-area leaders tout growth at annual economic summit

The annual State of the Greater Barrington Area Economic Summit fittingly took place on Valentine’s Day, given how area leaders showered the new development taking place in their communities with love.

Sponsored by the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, the event Wednesday featured leaders from Barrington and its neighbors offering updates on what’s new in their towns.

Barrington Village President Karen Darch discussed the long-awaited development of the Golden Triangle, a downtown area bordered by Hough Street, Liberty Street and the Union Pacific railroad tracks. Compasspoint Development plans to build 125 apartments, 13,000 square feet of retail space, two new restaurants, and 37 car condominiums on the 6.2-acre site.

Deer Park Village President Greg Rusteberg said a new tax increment financing district along Rand Road has attracted four projects. Persin & Robbin Jewelers will be breaking ground at Lake-Cook and Quentin roads this spring, he added.

Happenings in Long Grove include new ownership for the Village Tavern, which has been operating since 1847, and the Sock Monkey Museum being inducted into the Guinness Book of World Records, Village President Bill Jacob said.

Jacob also touched on environmental efforts, including progress toward the conversion of the land once set aside for a Route 53 extension into a functional greenway by 2029. What still needs to be done is the transfer of the land from the Illinois Department of Transportation to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, he said.

South Barrington Village President Paula McCombie updated guests on developments at The Arboretum of South Barrington, including the addition of the Te’Amo Boba Bar, which serves sweets and bubble tea.