The Biz Week That Was: Cupcakes, organic soaps and new development among highlights
Elgin couple turns home-based side business into retail cupcake shop
After years of “baking in the shadows,” a hobby that turned into a side hustle for Wendy Medina of Elgin has become a brick-and-mortar reality with the opening of Sunshine’s Cupcakery. The new Elgin cupcake shop held a grand opening and ribbon cutting Saturday at 1012 McLean Blvd., in the shopping center at the northwest corner of the intersection with Bowes Road.
Mundelein mayor touts downtown redevelopment in State of the Village speech
Mundelein Mayor Steve Lentz kicked off his latest State of the Village presentation this week by touting the downtown area’s continued redevelopment. That work includes the pending construction of a five-story apartment building, an adjoining parking garage, two townhouse buildings and a retail building on the now-empty land on Plaza Circle near village hall.
‘Farm-grown skin care’: Wheaton’s MION makes soap from the ‘best things’ nature provides
At the Wheaton location of MION Artisan Soap Co., patrons not only can find soaps and skin care and bath products on the shelves. They can see how the soap is made. Owner Olga Boldyreva says there is a difference between a commercial soap and her handmade product — it has no artificial or synthetic ingredients or preservatives. She uses high-quality organic brands.
10 suburban Burger King locations to be transformed under new ownership
Burger King Franchisee MJG Enterprises, LLC has acquired 10 Burger King restaurants in Illinois. The 10 newly acquired locations will undergo refreshes including digital upgrades to the menu boards and new order kiosks, with select locations undergoing full renovations and remodels aimed at improving the overall guest experience.
Barrington-area leaders tout growth at annual economic summit
The annual State of the Greater Barrington Area Economic Summit fittingly took place on Valentine’s Day, given how area leaders showered the new development taking place in their communities with love. The event Wednesday featured leaders from Barrington and its neighbors offering updates on what’s new in their towns.
Another new restaurant is coming to Des Plaines
An entrepreneur plans to convert a former Des Plaines pool hall and bar into a restaurant. Exterior and interior renovations for Brunch City Cafe at 901 E. Oakton St., are expected to cost nearly $800,000, city documents show. The prospective operator has applied for a city grant to help cover those costs.