Doug McAllister, Founder and President of Douglas Automotive was honored for his efforts in building entrepreneurship in suburban Lake and McHenry Counties during award ceremonies in Wheaton, IL. The “Entrepreneurial Excellence Award”, sponsored by The Business Ledger, was presented to Doug for his strong commitment to helping entrepreneurs in a variety of industries while keeping a steadfast focus on building his business during challenging economic times.
Throughout the years, Doug has taken an active role in civic, business, religious and industry organizations. Among others, he is an active participant in Barrington, Cary, and Crystal Lake Chambers of Commerce, Barrington Service Group, and Elite Pro Service, a nationwide organization of highly accredited and experienced professional automotive shop owners.
Douglas Automotive has two locations at 312 S. Hager Avenue, Barrington, (847) 381-0454, and 7218 Virginia Rd., Crystal Lake, (815) 356-0440.
ACT Network Solutions, located at 700 Industrial Drive in Cary, is celebrating their 23rd anniversary. ACT, owned by Jeff Hoffman, started as a small retail computer shop in the Crystal Point Mall in Crystal Lake, selling computers and software to retail customers and small businesses locally. In the mid 1990s ACT became the largest computer provider to schools in the northwest suburbs of Chicago, placing more computers in that market each year than even Dell, HP and IBM.
Over the years, ACT changed their focus to the support of network servers for small and mid-sized businesses across northern Illinois. ACT now provides managed IT services for servers and networks via a remote managed model that dramatically reduces IT support cost for clients and speeds up response times to service requests. In addition, ACT has become very active in data protection and data management systems as business are being overwhelmed with data storage issues and aren’t well prepared to protect their most valuable business asset – their computerized information. ACT is a local family run business that specializes in personal service and business-savvy guidance to help their clients navigate the often confusing waters of IT Innovation. Clients looking for help in controlling IT costs or just friendly can call (847) 639-7000.
John and Kathleen Pletz were recently honored for 25 years in business at the ServiceMaster 2011 Convention in Memphis, Tennessee. They received a Certificate of Appreciation along with a gold pin with diamond. ServiceMaster by Pletz, headquartered in Crystal Lake, has been serving both McHenry and Lake Counties since 1986. ServiceMaster by Pletz provides janitorial services, green cleaning,carpet cleaning, floor waxing and polishing, upholstery cleaning, as well as construction and specialty cleanings. John and Kathy are grateful to provide service for customers and jobs for their 28 full time and part time employees. ServiceMaster by Pletz can be reached at (847) 658-8889.
Chris’ Coach House, known for having some of the best BBQ ribs in all of McHenry County, is celebrating 30 years in business. The family restaurant was established in October of 1981 by the late owner Chris Chigas, a successful restaurateur from downtown Chicago. Chigas wanted a new venue and opened Chris’ Coach House far from the big city’s hustle and bustle. The restaurant, located on the corner of Crystal Lake Avenue and Silver Lake Road in Cary, has been family run ever since.
During the past 30 years not only has Chris’ Coach House become a family favorite for their great food, the restaurant has actively supported the local community. In addition to sponsoring many local youth activities and other various community services; for 25 years Chris’ Coach House sponsored the Am Vets Annual Picnic for hospitalized military veterans along with the local Am Vets Post 245, providing a free lunch to hundreds of veterans each year. After Chris passed away, the Am Vets Post 245 continued on with the annual picnic in his honor.
Chris’ House was voted one of the best Fish Fry in 2010 and as having one of the best BBQ rib dinners in 2010 and 2011 by McHenry County. The Fish Fry consists of All-U-Can –Eat Ocean Perch or Cod. The BBQ Ribs are fall-off the bone and a customer favorite. Their menu also offers weekly specials, pasta dishes, beef and chicken specialties, and more exotic entrees such as frog legs. The Saturday specials, seasoned and slow roasted Prime Rib with homemade au-jus or the All – U- Can-Eat crab legs with drawn hot butter, are crowd pleasers. They also offer a children’s menu.
Chris’ Coach House attributes their success to the hard work and high level of customer service provided by their employees. Their employees average 15 years with the restaurant, with the longest employee having been there for 25 years. The customers at Chris’ Coach House come from local neighborhoods and as far away as Orland Park. The customer base spans generations, with customers who dined there as children, and now bring in their own kids.
Chris’ Coach House dinners are served with a hot cup of freshly made soup of the day and their signature Salad Bar and fresh baked bread. All steaks, prime ribs, and burgers are high quality, hand-cut Black Angus. The fish and other seafood entrees are always fresh. Chris’ Coach House also offers a rich dessert menu.
Chris’ Coach House is located on the corners of Silver Lake Road and Crystal Lake Avenue in Cary. Their hours of operation are Tuesday – Sunday opening at 4:00pm. They are closed on Mondays. Private parties are available morning and afternoon hours. For information, call Pam or Rula Chigas at Chris’ Coach House at 847-639-9675.
|
Merle Norman of Fox River Grove is celebrating its 6th year in business and Merle Norman's 80th year of beauty. The Studio, owned by Kim Allen, is a Gold Medallion Studio, the company’s highest honor for providing excellent customer service and store appearance. The designation is only bestowed after a yearly visit by a corporate secret shopper, who evaluates the store. The Fox River Grove location is also recognized as a "spa studio," because they offer facial and waxing services.
Allen has just added two new beauty consultants. Teri Ronowski and Donna Cassesse just joined the FRG Studio. Stop in for a complimentary fall makeover and meet them. In November, the Studio plans to add Micro-Dermabrasion to their facial and waxing services. Visit the Merle Norman studio Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They are located at 726 Northwest Highway in Fox River Grove and can be reached at 847-462-1504.
Richard Sansone, an Edward Jones financial advisor in Cary, still remembers the day he decided to join the financial services firm fifteen years ago.
"After learning how Edward Jones financial advisors were required to meet many members of a community before even being able to open an office, I knew this was the right firm for me," Sansone said. "Personal service for individual investors is key to the success and longevity of Edward Jones, and I'm proud to be celebrating fifteen years of representing those values.
"I've enjoyed doing business the old-fashioned way -- in person," Sansone said. "And I am looking forward to many more years serving the investment needs of my friends, neighbors and business associates."
Edward Jones provides financial services for individual investors in the United States and, through its affiliate, in Canada. Every aspect of the firm's business, from the types of investment options offered to the location of branch offices, is designed to cater to individual investors in the communities in which they live and work. The firm's 12,000-plus financial advisors work directly with nearly 7 million clients to understand their personal goals -- from college savings to retirement -- and create long-term investment solutions that emphasize a well-balanced portfolio and a buy-and-hold strategy.
Edward Jones, which ranked No. 11 on FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" in 2011, is headquartered in St. Louis. The Edward Jones web site is located at www.edwardjones.com, and its recruiting web site is www.careers.edwardjones.com. Member SIPC. You can reach Rich Sansone at (847) 516-0433.
Demonstrating a significant recovery in the auto industry, Wickstrom Auto Group in Barrington is adding 20,000 square feet to its current 13,000 square foot building at 660 West Northwest Highway. “The auto industry is actually doing well right now” dealer partner Colin Wickstrom said. “The used car market is actually the best it’s been, and the new car market is also doing well. Since 2009, a recognized low point for the industry, sales at Wickstrom Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram have grown 126 percent, while sales at Wickstrom’s neighboring Ford and Lincoln dealerships are up 102 percent.”
The addition will include increased showroom space and corporate training rooms. Expansion of the parking lot on Wickstrom’s 22 acre property will take about four to six weeks, with the completion of the building itself to be done in about six to eight months. For information on Wickstrom Auto Group, call (847) 381-8850.
After more than ten years in association with Financial Network Investment Corporation as an Investment Advisor Representative (IAR), Robert Hepfinger has announced the establishment of his new firm, Pathway Financial Services.
Pathway Financial Services (PFS) mission is to serve as a resource, to provide basic information for people to use in forming questions to ask so that an informed choice affecting one’s financial future can be made. What are good options for you to pursue? What do you not know that may cost you? What's in your best long-term interests given your risk profile or time frame? If PFS can be of service in helping to avoid the puddles along the pathway by either providing services directly or in serving as a resource through the PFS blog, that's its purpose. If you have questions for PFS, visit their blog at http://blog.pathwayfinancialservices.biz/
|
