5 Mundelein businesses honored with local awards
A hotel, two restaurants, an auto body shop and a medical supply company are the latest recipients of Mundelein's Gold Star Awards for local businesses.
The awards were given out at Monday's village board meeting. The recipients are:
• The DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 510 E. Route 83.
• Carstar, 1066 Campus Drive.
• Bill's Pizza & Pub, 624 S. Lake St.
• Taste of Paris, 161 N. Seymour Ave.
• Sysmex, One Sysmex Way.
The Gold Star program, now in its fifth year, is run by the village's economic development commission. It recognizes community contributions, charitable work or professional success.
"It encourages other businesses to follow the example set by the award winners," commission Chairman Larry Gallas said.
It's also part of the village's business-retention strategy, Gallas said.
Previous recipients include Elly's Pancake House, Luke's of Mundelein, the Tighthead Brewery, Medline Industries and Debbie's Floral.
During Monday's presentations at village hall, representatives of each business received plaques and posed for photos with village officials.
The Doubletree was honored for being involved in community programs including the Special Olympics and for hosting local business events, among other activities.
Carstar was recognized for its charitable work, particularly the company's annual donation of a car to a needy suburban family.
Bill's Pizza & Pub was honored for its 58 years of food service and its participation in community events such as the annual Mundelein Munch food fest, which occurs during the summertime Community Days celebration.
"We hope they're going to stay here for another 58 years," Gallas said.
Sysmex earned its Gold Star for expanding its manufacturing facility in Mundelein. That project is under construction.
"Sysmex is getting to be a very, very important part of our community," Gallas said of the business, which has its North American headquarters in Lincolnshire.
Taste of Paris was honored for its work with the Mundelein Community Connection, a local nonprofit group that promotes the town. The restaurant also participates in other community projects, including the local One World Festival and art festivals.
Chef Claude Bouteille received the plaque for his restaurant as his family looked on from the audience.
"It's a lot of hard work putting (a restaurant) together," Bouteille said afterward. "It's rewarding for all that hard work."