West Chicago names Brilliance in Business Award winners

For the fifth straight year, West Chicago is honoring successful establishments in the city with Brilliance in Business Awards.

The program honors top businesses in five categories: Small Business of the Year, Green Initiatives, Community Service, Economic Development and Community Image.

The winning businesses will be feted at a city council meeting at 7 p.m. Monday, Nov. 18, at city hall, 475 Main St.

Here's a quick look at this year's winners:

Small Business of the Year

FreshGround Roast opened its doors at 100 Arbor Ave. two years ago. Owners Kristen and Eric Andersen's establishment of a roasting facility in the heart of the community has brought renewed energy and interest downtown.

The business imports coffee beans from around the world by direct trade, working with a foundation that ensures poor farmers in developing nations directly benefit from their sale. The roasting facility supplies coffee to cafes in Geneva, Elmhurst and Wayne, and enjoys steady online sales.

The city is honoring the shop as an example of a quality niche business that embraces a global mission while maintaining a local community focus. From creative marketing strategies such as conducting coffee classes and developing special blends of coffee for organizations, to exposure at area Farmers Markets in Kane and DuPage counties, FreshGround Roast is making a name for itself.

Green Initiatives

The award for Green Initiatives to USAgain is fitting considering the level of involvement and support CEO Mattias Wallender and his team have shown to the environment through the company's mission of diverting clothing and textiles from landfills.

USAgain collects clothing to be reused and recycled; in 2012, it diverted 58 million pounds of textiles from landfills across the United States

Last year, USAgain created and hosted the Homecoming Goes Green dress giveaway event at its headquarters in West Chicago. As well as raising awareness with students about the impact of textile waste, the event offered teens an opportunity to select a new or lightly used dress for use at their homecoming dance.

USAgain works with local schools, nonprofits and municipalities on many other events, with a focus on diverting clothing from landfills and helping communities become more sustainable. USAgain's Chicago division and corporate headquarters is at 1555 W. Hawthorne Road, Suite 4W.

Community Service

State Bank of Illinois is the winner of this year's Community Service Award for its efforts to create and promote the spirit of community in West Chicago.

The business, located at 600 E. Washington St., has existed in West Chicago since 1808, and two of its employees have celebrated milestone anniversaries with the bank — one 60 years and the other 50 years of service.

Community President Larry Boward has empowered his staff to actively contribute as members of the city's Blooming Fest, Frosty Fest and Mexican Independence Day committees, and they have taken these events to new levels.

State Bank's involvement with other service and business organizations, including the Western DuPage Chamber of Commerce, and board positions with several not-for-profits, has demonstrated a true commitment to the betterment of its community.

In addition, its support through the creation of a Community Display Board prominently located within the bank is equally effective for creating and developing lasting community relationships.

Economic Development

Embracing its possibility rather than viewing the Galena Street reconstruction project as a nuisance and detriment to day-to-day business operations, El Coco Loco Mexican Grill owners Irma and Miguel Proa proactively worked with the city and the Historical Preservation Commission on ideas that would leverage the changes to their advantage, proving innovation is all in one's approach to a challenging situation.

The addition of a 50-by-13-foot outdoor dining area to El Coco Loco has great curb appeal and offers people the delightful option of al fresco dining — a natural fit for such a downtown venue. Plus, it provided a great boost for business.

The stamped concrete patio, decorative wrought iron fence, brick pillars with stone inlay and great-looking outdoor dining furniture have attracted regular and new customers. Irma and Miguel Proa's investment in their business at 205 Main St. and in their community contributes to the overall enjoyment of a quality dining experience for residents, visitors and other local businesses.

Community Image

As a West Chicago icon since 1961, Cascade Drive-in at 1100 E. North Ave. has brought the thrill of outdoor movie viewing to generations of families.

The recent publicity generated when Cascade Drive-in converted to new digital equipment shined a positive light not only on the business, but on the entire community.

The conversion to digital equipment has positioned Cascade Drive-in for the future. Owner Jeff Kohlberg, who has been involved with the family — owned business since he was 8, recognized the need to modernize.

Previously, movies were received by the theater in a series of reels that were then spliced together onto one large reel to run as a complete movie. The move to digital significantly simplifies the process and enhances the quality of the picture and the experience.

Kohlberg's commitment to keeping the nostalgia of a great American, family friendly tradition alive, and his decision to make the investment in its West Chicago location, is commendable.