The Biz Week That Was: Drinks on the go, backyard batteries for backup, and a new grocer
Arlington Heights uncorks drinks-to-go downtown social district
Arlington Heights popped the cork Thursday evening on the new Arlington Alfresco Social District, where patrons can sip on alcoholic beverages and stroll on two downtown streets that are closed to traffic. Nine businesses — Beer on the Wall, Big Shot Piano Lounge, Cortland’s Garage, Hey Nonny, Mago Grill & Cantina, Metropolis Ballroom, Peggy Kinnane’s Irish Restaurant, Salsa 17 and Scratchboard Kitchen — are selling to-go drinks from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays through Sept. 26.
Townhouse community ready to roll on long inactive Solo Cup site in Highland Park
Development of the high-priority former Solo Cup site at 1700 Deerfield Road in Highland Park is officially underway. A ceremonial groundbreaking was held this week for The Bowery of Highland Park, a 227-residence townhouse community described as a sought-after new construction option for the North Shore.
Base Power launches backyard battery backup system for ComEd customers
As energy prices continue to rise and power outages become more frequent amid extreme weather events, ComEd customers have a new option to help navigate both problems. A giant backyard battery. Base Power, an Austin, Texas-based startup, has made Chicago its second market for an outdoor battery system that promises to lower monthly electricity supply charges while providing up to two days of whole-home backup power during outages.
Butera’s Clock Tower Plaza store in Elgin sold to Frank’s Freshway Market
Butera’s last remaining grocery store at Elgin’s Clock Tower Plaza has been sold and will become a Frank’s Freshway Market Aug. 11. The sale marks the end of the chain’s 63-year legacy but continues the tradition of independent grocers anchoring the historic strip mall on the city’s northwest side.
Dozens line up, some overnight, for Dutch Bros opening in Buffalo Grove
It was still dark Wednesday morning when the customers camped in the drive-through lane — some there overnight — placed the first orders on opening day of Dutch Bros Coffee in Buffalo Grove. Excitement had been building for the shop’s arrival in The Clove, the mixed-use development at Lake-Cook and McHenry roads. Dutch Bros is filling an outlot once occupied by Burger King.
Bennigan’s, which has been serving up “American Fare + Irish Hospitality” since 1976, had more than 300 restaurants in its heyday. Now only six full-service locations remain in the United States, including one at 495 Airport Road in Elgin.
Video gambling operator and former gubernatorial candidate Rick Heidner on July 24 paid $5.2 million to buy a seven-bedroom, 27,000-square-foot stone country manor-style mansion on 10.2 acres in Barrington from Motorola Solutions chairman and CEO Greg Brown.