Restaurants, design firm earn Mount Prospect business awards

A growing design firm and two popular downtown eateries were among the big winners Thursday when the Mount Prospect Economic Development Commission handed out awards at its annual Business Breakfast.

Mrs. P and Me, 100 E. Prospect Ave., received the Enduring Business Award, given to a business in operation for more than five years. The restaurant has been a downtown landmark since 1977, and current owner Chris Figaro has operated it since 2004. Manager Chris Bozonelos serves as president of the Mount Prospect Downtown Merchants Association, and the eatery has played an active part in efforts to bring more activities into the downtown district by hosting the pub crawls, progressive dinners and participating in the downtown block party and other festivals.

Esteban and Joy Aguado, owners of Mia's Cantina Mexican Grill, 143 W. Prospect Ave., received the Entrepreneur of the Year award. The Aguados, who opened the restaurant in 2012, were the first start up business to come out of the Mount Prospect Entrepreneurs Initiative program and have since opened a second Mia's Cantina in Downers Grove. A third is scheduled to open in Wheeling early next year.

Lightbox Graphix, 1894 S. Elmhurst Road, received the Budding Business Award, given to a business in operations for less than five years. Lightbox is a family-owned design and signage company that located in Mount Prospect in 2016. The owners, Danny and Amy Chiao, created the "Be A Light" Project as an opportunity for their business friends to collaborate in meeting the needs of the underprivileged by donating 10 percent of proceeds from all sales.

Also during the breakfast, Mount Prospect Community Development Director Bill Cooney gave an update on development projects in the village. He said the village should see $150 million in private investment in various developments, including the Maple Street Lofts and Central and Main projects.

"Mount Prospect is now benefiting from over 30 years of leg work in economic development," Mayor Arlene Juracek said.

The breakfast and awards were sponsored by the Mount Prospect Economic Development Commission, whose mission is to encourage and facilitate economic growth throughout the village and to advise the mayor and board of trustees on economic development goals and objectives.