Dundee businesses look to form alliance

Almost a decade after the implosion of an organization representing businesses in downtown East and West Dundee, a new crop of business owners wants to revamp an alliance promoting small businesses on both sides of the river and beyond.

Several business owners along Main Street in the adjoining downtowns Dundee are working to form the Dundee Alliance. Unlike the Dundee Main Street program that disbanded in 2000, due in part to squabbling between the two towns, the Dundee Alliance would include businesses located throughout East and West Dundee, from Route 25 to Spring Hill Mall and also home businesses.

With a number of new stores opening in the area recently, business owner Joe Lasota said retailers need to put themselves on the map.

"I know there is so much new blood and businesses have changed," said Lasota, president of Honeymoon Travel and Destination Wedding. "This would be a great way to promote buying local and keeping sales taxes here."

West Dundee Trustee Tom Price said the alliance, which is still in its infancy, would benefit all business owners.

"It would be a great way for businesses to market themselves and sponsor events together," Price said. "The opportunity for cross-marketing is fantastic."

So far, store owners have considered developing a visitor's guide and Web site, said Hanan Hall, whose store Romantica opened Wednesday on Main Street.

"A guide is a beneficial and inexpensive tool that is a great way to get names out there," Hanan said. "You can point out areas or shops that may be of interest to people who are walking around downtown stores."

A local web designer is creating the Dundee Alliance Web site, where business owners can post information and advertise promotions. It will be dundeealliance.com.