Retiring Barrington economic development boss credited with boosting village

Barrington officials say anyone enjoying a robust selection of restaurants or a high-end grocery in town should thank the handiwork of longtime economic development boss Peg Blanchard, who's heading into retirement.

Speaking at Monday's village board session, Trustee Jim Daluga said Blanchard and her economic development team carried out a vision to create more vitality in Barrington. It was Blanchard's last village board session before her retirement is effective March 13.

"I remember 34 years ago, if my wife and I wanted to do to dinner, we could choose between The Greenery and the Tuxedo Junction," Daluga said. "And neither one would be very difficult to get into on short notice. I am pleased to say I have found it much more difficult to find my way into restaurants in Barrington lately because they're packed. And this is a wonderful thing."

Blanchard has worked as the director of economic development for about 18 years over two tenures, with accomplishments such as the developments of downtown's Cook Street Plaza and Barrington Village Center. Tenants at Cook Street Plaza include Francesca's Famiglia restaurant, while the Shakou eatery and Egg Harbor Cafe are among the Village Center draws.

In a resolution that Daluga read into the record at Monday's meeting, Blanchard was lauded for her role in creating a "social, active and vibrant downtown that Barrington has become."

Blanchard expressed appreciation to Barrington residents, volunteers and elected officials for their assistance.

"What we have today is really as a result of the board leadership, our (advisory) commissions, our staff and just perseverance," Blanchard said. "And we held true to what we wanted. And I think that it's a great accomplishment. And I feel proud to have been a part of it."

Blanchard was 39 when she was hired as Barrington's first economic development director in 1996. She departed in 2002 during the era of controversial Village President Marshall Reagle, but returned in late 2005, about six months after Karen Darch took over as Barrington's top elected official.

Trustee Ryan Julian said he was impressed with how Blanchard's personal network helped bring new businesses to Barrington. Darch said it was Blanchard's own initiative that led to Heinen's Fine Foods coming to Barrington in 2012, which was the first expansion outside of greater Cleveland for the family business established in 1929. Blanchard laid the groundwork in a 2007 meeting asking Heinen's owners to consider Barrington.

"Peg found Heinen's in Ohio on one of her trips back there, the state that she hails from," Darch said.