The Biz Week That Was: New tap and coffee houses, grocer revival and subdued hiring

‘Tall mugs of beer’: Fatpour Tap Works wooing Mount Prospect

Downtown Mount Prospect could soon welcome a new player on its tavern scene south of the Metra station — with a novel twist. The proposed Fatpour Tap Works would be a one-story, 7,000-square-foot, full-service restaurant offering outdoor dining and an unusual recreational component, a curling lane.

New Libertyville coffee shop concept aims for comfort and building connections

In Chicago, the slang word “frunchroom” refers to a living room or space where you relax and spend time with friends and family. That’s the idea behind Frunchroom Collective, a new coffee shop preparing to open at 1193 S. Milwaukee Ave., in the Greentree Plaza shopping center in Libertyville.

Grocer arriving in June on former Palatine Whole Foods site

Shoppers eager to browse the shelves at the new grocery store at the former Whole Foods location in Palatine can expect to see the doors open by the end of June. The new Shop & Save Local Market at 1365 N. Rand Road is targeted for a June 30 completion.

7 Brew proposed for Wheaton near movie theater

A 7 Brew wants to open in south Wheaton more than a year after a drive-through stand set up shop in neighboring Naperville and went on to generate much buzz. In Wheaton, a 7 Brew has been proposed for the west side of East Loop Road between the former Houlihan’s restaurant and the Studio Movie Grill in a portion of the existing parking lot.

Hiring was subdued last month, though unemployment rate slips to 4.4%

Sluggish hiring last month closed out a year of weak employment gains that have frustrated jobseekers even as layoffs and unemployment have also been low. Employers added 50,000 jobs in December, nearly unchanged from a downwardly revised figure of 56,000 in November, the Labor Department said.

Lake County couple debuts Travelin’ Tom’s coffee truck

With their shaved ice truck stowed for winter, the enterprising Tcholakov family of Round Lake Beach has shifted to premium coffee and specialty beverages to offer at events throughout Lake County. After attending training, picking up the truck and getting the needed health permits, Ivan and Jessica Tcholakov hit the road a few weeks ago with Travelin' Tom's Coffee of Grayslake, their second mobile food business.

West Dundee plans to build new police station at former Spring Hill Mall site

West Dundee trustees are getting started on their first project at the former Spring Hill Mall site. On Monday, the trustees hired Itasca-based Williams Architects to draft plans for a new police station to be built on the property.