The Biz Week That Was: Liberty restaurant marks 50 years, home sales on rise, and new planned housing projects
The Liberty Restaurant, a popular family restaurant at 419 S. Milwaukee Ave. in Libertyville, marks 50 years of operation under the same owners. “It’s not labor — it’s love,” says co-owner George Frangos. “We have a lot of regulars. We know their names, they know us.”
Qargo Coffee blends cozy with on-the-go convenience in plans for Arlington Heights cafe
Coffee shops may have developed a reputation as stay-all-day places to huddle with a laptop and latte, but recent trends suggest cafe spaces are shrinking in favor of drive-throughs for busy people on the go. A new coffee shop coming to Arlington Heights hopes to serve both clienteles. Qargo Coffee, a Miami-based chain that touts its menu of “Italy’s Finest Coffee & Pastries,” is set to brew its first cup at 4 W. Rand Road in Arlington Heights in early 2026.
90 townhouses near Buffalo Grove Metra station on track for approval
A key development in the area around the Prairie View Metra station is on track toward Buffalo Grove village board approval. The village planning and zoning commission Wednesday unanimously recommended a plan to build 90 townhouse units on the former Fiore Nursery & Landscaping Supply property along Route 22 and Main Street in unincorporated Lake County.
US home sales accelerated in September to their fastest pace since February as mortgage rates eased
Sales of previously occupied U.S. homes accelerated in September as declining mortgage rates and a pickup in available properties on the market encouraged home shoppers. Existing home sales rose 1.5% last month from August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.06 million units, the National Association of Realtors said Thursday. That’s the fastest sales pace since February.
Naperville could apply food and beverage tax to drive-through-only chains, food trucks
Drive-through-only establishments have popped up in Naperville with caffeinated drink menus and social media buzz fueling long lines of cars. The 7 Brew kiosk off Ogden Avenue is a more prominent example. Along Route 59, there’s a Scooter’s Coffee and a drive-through-focused Chick-fil-A in south Naperville. Dutch Bros Coffee is also seeking city approval for a drive-through shop just north of the Naper Boulevard entrance to the Market Meadows shopping center. Despite their popularity, most of these establishments are not required to collect and remit Naperville’s food and beverage tax, according to a memo from the city finance department. Only one of them remits the tax, city spokesperson Kelley Munch confirmed. It was determined that the tax applies there because of permanent outdoor seating. Under a draft ordinance, the city would be “correcting that situation,” Mayor Scott Wehrli said.
East Dundee continuing interest in multifamily housing for former factory site
East Dundee trustees gave an informal go-ahead Monday to proceed with negotiations for building townhouses and apartments on the site of the former Haeger Potteries property.