Come & Dish owner bids farewell to customers, Randall corridor

It was a little sign of hope.

Amid all of the independent businesses along the Randall Road corridor that shut their doors over the past couple of years, and even the big box chains that closed, Come & Dish remained open and popular.

Even after most of the other meal preparation businesses up and down Randall closed, including the ones affiliated with larger corporations, Come & Dish in Algonquin stayed and thrived with its devoted customer base.

But last week, after 4½ years in business, Come & Dish closed its doors.

Its last week in business was filled with a freezer sale of already-prepared meals - many that had been favorites to customers over the past several years, owner Shelly Walsh said.

The business opened early in the meal preparation game, before many knew you could go somewhere else, use their kitchen and ingredients and come home with a freezer full of food for your family.

And it stayed open long past many stores, with healthy meal choices, and meals that had become favorites to many customers along the Randall Road corridor.

While many devotees have begged Walsh to stay, she said she just couldn't and it was time to move on to other fun ventures.

Walsh said she's excited for the opportunities that await her.

However, she is sad to be leaving the business that introduced her to so many customers over the years, many of whom have become her friends.

"I'm sure the economy has not helped us," she said. "You have your good times and your bad times. The summer months are difficult. People are home with their kids and don't think about dinner until it's time to cook dinner. And then after the holidays are slow, too. I decided to do it now, right after the holidays and not go through that.

"I am going to be doing some other things where I don't have to worry about the retail storefront and the staff and covering my costs," Walsh said. "I have a family with three small children, and it's time to do this."

Cozy and creative: When it's so cold outside, finding indoor activities that are fun and creative is always a plus.

This winter, Color Me Mine in Geneva Commons along Randall Road is offering Saturday night pajama parties. From 5 to 9 p.m. you can paint your own pottery in your PJs.

There is no need to feel silly as there will be many others wearing their feetie pajamas and Betty Boop pants while they create, too.

If you wear your jammies, painting time will cost only $2, and there will be many items to choose from to paint starting at $10.

Create in the cold: Or, if you don't mind the cold, there is also a creative colder option happening this week: the snow sculpting at Geneva Commons.

Running Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 20-23, champion sculptors will make amazing creations out of the snow right along Randall Road at the parking lot near Dick's Sporting Goods in Geneva Commons.

Yes, it's true - beauty will come from that cold white stuff that is making our backs ache as we continue to shovel and shovel it from our driveways and sidewalks.

• Amy Williams' column covers all the news of business along the Randall Road corridor from Batavia to Crystal Lake. Contact her at randallbiz@comcast.net or (847) 894-5036.