The Biz Week That Was: Bike shops pedal forward, new owner for Oberweis and beer gold among the highlights
The inventory and service demands that accompanied the pandemic’s sudden surge of interest in cycling sent suburban bike shops pedaling uphill on an already 4-year-long journey that hasn’t yet seen a downhill coast to 2019 market norms. Ingenuity, adaptability and long-term thinking seem to be the factors that separated those still in business from the ones that shut down, according to the survivors.
The Illinois Supreme Court has agreed to hear Rolling Meadows’ appeal of a ruling that would have the city pay Arlington Heights more than $1 million in misallocated sales taxes from Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. And Rolling Meadows has retained a high-powered law firm to beef up its legal team and present oral arguments.
Hoffman Family of Companies buys Oberweis Dairy
Oberweis Dairy has emerged from bankruptcy with a new owner. Hoffman Family of Companies, through its investment arm, Osprey Capital LLC, has announced it has acquired the North Aurora-based dairy company. Oberweis filed for bankruptcy in April. The Hoffman Family of Companies was the prevailing bidder in a May auction to purchase the dairy company.
Hundreds turn out to protest controversial development near Sugar Grove
Several hundred people Tuesday made it very clear they oppose using property taxes to help pay some of the costs of transforming 861 acres of farmland near Sugar Grove into warehouses, offices, stores and housing. Crown Community Development owns the land. It has proposed building The Grove, which would have a 244-acre business park; 123 acres for office, commercial, retail or civic use; and 393 acres of housing.
‘Enchanting fusion’ of apartments, retail pitched for Block A in downtown Lake Zurich
A second proposal for a mix of apartments above commercial spaces for the same vacant village-owned property in downtown Lake Zurich has surfaced. “The Promenade Project on Block A” by Paul Proano Properties calls for a four-story building with 51 apartments above and five retail businesses of varying sizes on the ground floor.
‘I was flabbergasted’: North Aurora brewery wins gold in World Beer Cup
When Brother Chimp Brewing won a gold medal in the 2024 World Beer Cup in late April for their Vienna-style lager, the founder of the small North Aurora brewery said he was “flabbergasted.” Brother Chimp’s Ludwig bested 101 other entries to win the category in the world’s largest beer contest.