Monday, April 29, 2013
The longtime Western Springs cafe recently re-added dinner hours and did away with breakfast in an attempt to adapt to the changes its customers have shown.
When I stopped into Snacker's Cafe last Tuesday for a late lunch, I talked to owner Jim Dames for a while. The 18-year Western Springs restaurant recently re-added dinner hours and did away with breakfast, and I was curious why. After we got to talking, Dames stopped and said, "You've got brothers, right? I remember you guys coming in here as kids. Your mom would get a lot of dinners to go, and then come back 20 minutes later to pick up another order." Give Dames credit, he remembers his customers. Now he's just hoping they remember him. Write a review of Snacker's Cafe in Western Springs. At the start of April, Snacker's changed its hours to accommodate evening diners while doing away with its breakfast hours. It changed them to 11 a.…
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Friday, April 26, 2013
To complement its new spring menu and cozy atmosphere, Nicksons Eatery, has also expanded its drink menu—which features an extensive selection of wines, cocktails, martinis and seasonal drinks—to include a larger variety of regional beers.
Every week, I'll feature a standout menu item from a restaurant in La Grange, La Grange Park or Western Springs. Today, I try a gigantic slice of pizza.
Welcome to Menu Masterpiece, a weekly column where we try some of the best and most unique menu items at local restaurants, as recommended to us by chefs, restaurant owners and readers. What should we try next? Email michael.sewall@patch.com. Menu item: Sausage pizza Restaurant: DiNico's Pizzeria, 42 S La Grange Rd in La Grange (Write a review) Price: $5 More Menu: Besides pizza, obviously, there's a great selection of homemade gelato. See the full menu here. OK, how have I been missing out how this pizza all this time? I made my first trip to DiNico's Pizzeria in La Grange and came away happy and stuffed. First of all, my wallet my happy. For just $5 you get a giant slice of pizza (about one-quarter of an extra-large pie) and unlimited…
Thursday, April 25, 2013
The La Grange children's boutique will close Saturday, April 27. Until then, items in the store are at least half-off.
After 20 years running Monday's Child, owner Rebekah Knight is ready to retire. "Twenty years is a long time," she said. "I'm looking for something new." Monday's Child, a children's boutique on Calendar Court in La Grange, will close Saturday, April 27. Knight moved her store to La Grange about three years ago after 17 years in Pennsylvania. She moved here to be closer to her family and said she's enjoyed being in this community. "People have been really supportive, and I've had a lot of regular customers," she said. "When I announced my retirement to my email list, there were lines out the door." The store is having a "retirement sale" through 5 p.m. Saturday, with all items in the store 50 percent off 75 percent off. Although many …
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Senate bill would allow businesses to collect taxes on items bought online.
By B.A. Morelli, Patch editor Senators and business groups are debating the merits of a pending Senate bill that would allow for the collection of sales taxes on items bought online. The Marketplace Fairness Act would require businesses with more than $1 million in annual Internet or catalog revenue to collect sales tax for online purchases and send them to the state where the buyer resides. A Huffington Post report cites a National Conference of State Legislatures estimate that states collectively lost $23.3 billion in sales tax revenue in 2012 due to online sales. The U.S. Senate could vote on the bill, which has bi-partisan support and the blessing of President Obama, as soon as Wednesday. Supporters say the bill would help retailers …
Business owners in La Grange, La Grange Park and Western Springs tell Patch how their businesses came about and what makes them unique in town.
Business: Peterson & Associates Insurance, 1000 Hillgrove Ave. in Western Springs Owner: Craig Peterson Founded: 1982 Write a review of Peterson & Associates Insurance. How did the business come to be? My father started our independent insurance agency in 1982 in Oak Park. Prior to that he had worked for Allstate and then CNA Insurance Company for years. He came to a point that he decided to go out on his own and start his own agency. I joined the agency in 1999 after working in sales for three years in a different industry. Since then we have partnered up in the business, with my father slowly moving out of the business. In 2011 I moved the office to Western Springs to be closer to home, which is in La Grange Park. Why did you choose …
Monday, April 22, 2013
Jeff Moore, a 1997 LT grad, grew up in his father's auto shop. Now he's in charge while his kids look on.
Jeff Moore spent his childhood days at his father's auto shop, and years later the Lyons Township graduate is on the other side: He runs the place while he children hang out. DMJ Automotive, at 603 S. La Grange Road in La Grange, is a true family business providing a wide variety of auto repair services. It started in 1979 in Berwyn, and in 1987 the family moved the business to town. "I grew up in the business," Moore said. "Every day after school I came here and learned the business." He graduated from Lyons Township in 1997, then studied mechanical engineering in school. But he wanted to stick with the auto mechanic buisiness and officially took over a few years ago. "My first love was cars," he said. "Growing up in a shop, just leaning …
Friday, April 19, 2013
RSVP to Patch's Main Street U, to be held 5 to 6 p.m. May 1 at Now Serving Cafe in La Grange. Learn how you can use Patch to market your business and use other social media sites.
La Grange Patch and Western Springs Patch are pleased to announce Main Street U, a free event designed to teach business owners how to improve their online connection to the community. Business owners will learn how to take better advantage of social media tools such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as the tools that Patch offers, with a workshop delivered by Patch staffers on how to add your own content to the online conversation. RSVP by filling out the form posted above to attend Main Street U, to be held from 5 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 at Now Serving Cafe, 725 W. Hillgrove Ave. in La Grange. Appetizers and refreshments will be provided.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Business owners in La Grange, La Grange Park and Western Springs tell Patch how their businesses came about and what makes them unique in town.
Business: Huge Hearts HomeCare, 639 S. La Grange Rd., Ste 3, La Grange Owner: Jenni Showalter Founded: 2012 Write a review of Huge Hearts Homecare. How did the business come to be? As a caregiver for over eight years, I wanted to invest my knowledge in client relations, client concerns, customer service, client care and employee trainng into my own homecare company. I wanted to be able to give and spread the type of care that clients deserve. Why did you choose the area? La Grange is a great town. Not only beautiful but the members of the town really know how to work together. What does your business offer? Huge Hearts HomeCare offers caregivers and companions to assist with daily needs. Some of the services are bathing, grooming, …
Billy Gallagher
9:21 pm on Monday, April 29, 2013
I've told the folks at Snackers before: It's the little things...so here goes again: How about a ketchup dispenser that actually works (like found at a place that runs well with golden arches)? How about not playing CNN on the TV so that my little kids dont have to see bloody images from Boston? How about sending a waitress out to the sidewalk cafe now that good weather is here? Ever seen that … more ›