Boutique owner finds no place like home for sales

As suburban news reporters, we write so much about local businesses closing due to pressure from big-box stores or large chains.

But the story about Fancy Nancy's Boutique in downtown Palatine is exactly the opposite.

Palatine resident Nancy Gust opened the women's clothing store March 9 of last year. And next weekend, there will be a one-year anniversary celebration to honor that.

The store, at 117 W. Slade St., is a women's clothing and accessories boutique geared to the over-30 crowd.

You won't find mainstream brands there since she's trying to offer different options than department stores.

As part of the festivities, anyone who stops in next Friday or Saturday is automatically entered for a one-week trip to Hawaii. Additionally, every $50 a customer spends gets them another entry for the Maui vacation.

Before opening the store, Gust was a stay-at-home mom for many years.

"It was always my dream to do this," she said. "I love to dress."

The last year, she says, has been better than expected.

"I have more and more people saying to me that they don't want to go to Woodfield or Deer Park to buy clothes," she said. "They want to spend their money in their own community."

Call (847) 202-9370 for more information. Hours March 14 are from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. and March 15 will be 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Music for NIU: Durty Nellie's will hold a large benefit concert Monday to raise money for two Northern Illinois University funds -- The DeKalb-Sycamore Community Memorial Fund and NIU's Feb. 14 Student Scholarship Fund.

Both were created after the school shooting last month that killed five people. The all ages, Monday-night concert will be from 3 p.m. to midnight at the venue, 180 N. Smith St.

Local bands scheduled to perform are: Modern Day Romeos, Sixteen Candles, Mr. Myers, Mr. Blotto, Murley Shertz, Mer and Dave Tamkin.

All of the $10 cover charge will be donated, as well as 20 percent of the proceeds from food and beverage sales during the event. Go to www.durtynellies.com or call (847) 358-9150.