NEWSLETTER u WINTER 2018 u Business & Industry United For A Better Community
WHAT’S INSIDE:
GIVING BACK
Volunteer opportunities throughout the community this holiday season. PAGE 8
TASTING EVENT
Distilleries share their spirits and raise money during the second Spirits on the Farm event at Dickson-Must Farm. PAGE 4
SHOP LOCAL
ON SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY By AIMEE BARROWS
Downtown Oswego comes alive during the holidays, and to kick off the shopping season, many merchants are offering specials and promotions on Small Business Saturday to encourage residents to think local first when purchasing gifts. Small Business Saturday is Nov. 24, and shoppers can enjoy discounts at many of the area’s locally owned businesses on that day. Not only can you find unique items not available at big-box stores, but you’ll enjoy warm, personalized service in a more enjoyable shopping environment. And the best part about shopping local is you’re supporting the business owners and their families, while your sales tax dollars stay right here in Oswego.
Angie Hibben, President and CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, says that Small Business Saturday will be a big celebration for many downtown merchants, with refreshments and special offers. “I like to support these businesses and I did a lot of my Christmas shopping last year on that day,” she says. “You’ll find unique things in local shops. They carry items you can’t find elsewhere.” Hudson Design House , 76 Main St., a lifestyle boutique that specializes in unique furniture, home décor, specialized goods from artisans and makers, as well as authentic vintage items, will have in-store promotions on -Continued on page 2
-Continued from page 1 Small Business Saturday, which is one of the retailer’s busiest days of the year. Leslie Hilderbrant, co-owner of Hudson Design House, says her store has been successful because it offers inspirational vignettes and a vibrant mix or new and vintage pieces that shoppers want. “We have goods that people won’t find at big-box stores,” she explains.
“Shoppers are supporting the community and the downtown. They want to support local businesses and be a part of the community.” Kim Schulz, the owner of Kimberly Ann Home Decorating Boutique, 67 Main St., is on a first-name basis with many of her customers and prides herself on providing personalized service and recommendations. She says traffic on
Living and working in Oswego since 1972
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Residential
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OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2018
Residential
Small Business Saturday has increased because shoppers are looking for that “small-town feel.” “We get to know our customers and what they like. We know when their birthdays are and can make recommendations to their family members,” she says. “Our whole store will be decked out for Small Business Saturday.”
CHAIRMAN VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE BOARD LETTER
Chamber
BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORY HOLSTEAD Chairman of the Board CARRIE NIESMAN Vice Chairman BROOK HENSCHEN Treasurer CHERYL KEILSON Secretary CARRIE HANSEN TERRY ANDERSON
Dear Chamber Member
It’s hard to believe that we are coming up on the holidays already. The chamber has been busy this year and I am sure you have noticed all of the events that have been going on. There are still more events to come. Every week there are networking opportunities including the chamber leads groups, coffee with the chamber, business after business and ribbon cuttings for new businesses in the Oswego area. These are not the only things that the chamber supports. The Fraidycat 5k is coming up as well as Christmas walk. The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce is a great resource for new and existing businesses. We are a partner for our members as well as a business advocate in the community. Please stop in to our office to gain more information on what we do and how we work for and with our members.
ANITA PATEL KRISTINE LARSEN MICHELE BERGERON MARK WRASMAN KEITH MOORE For more information on the board of directors go to www.oswegochamber. org/contact.
Thank you,
Cory Holstead
CORY HOLSTEAD Chairman of the Board, Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
TABLE OF CONTENTS Chamber Board Chairman Letter.....................................................3 Spirits on the Farm...............................................................................4 Chief of Police Letter...........................................................................5 Newest Members................................................................................6 Chamber CEO Letter..........................................................................7 Giving Back...........................................................................................8 Ribbon Cuttings.................................................................................10
Becoming a Member is EASY and Affordable!
Check us out online at www.OswegoChamber.org Call, e-mail, or stop on by! Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce 73 W. Van Buren St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 • Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org WWW.OSWEGOCHAMBER.ORG WINTER 2018
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SPIRITS ON THE FARM By AIMEE BARROWS | Photos by LOCKED IN PHOTOGRAPHY For the second year in a row, more than 200 people gathered in late September to socialize, raise money and enjoy a variety of spirits made from 10 Illinois craft distilleries at “Spirits on the Farm.” This year’s event was held at Dickson-Murst Farm in Montgomery. All of the distilleries are small businesses located throughout the state, and guests were able to taste vodka, gin, bourbon, agave, rum and more in souvenir cocktail glasses while learning about the process each distillery uses to make their spirits. The proceeds from the event were split between the chamber and the Illinois Craft Distillery Association, a trade group representing more than 20 Illinois distilleries across the state. Craft distilling has grown quickly in Illinois,
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OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2018
with the first craft distillery in the state opening in 2004. Angie Hibben, President and CEO of the chamber, says Dickson-Murst Farm provided the perfect backdrop for the late-summer afternoon that also featured live music and artisan gifts and crafts. “It’s an incredible, hidden gem in Montgomery,” she explains. “Everybody who came loved it and is looking forward to doing it again. It was a beautiful day with great music, great spirits and a great opportunity to learn about the participating independent distilleries in Illinois.”
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR CHIEF OF POLICE LETTER
I
n an effort to make sure your holidays are enjoyable, the Oswego Police Department has compiled a list of safety tips to keep both you and your valuables safe and secure. LOCK YOUR VEHICLE A locked vehicle is the number one deterrent to a thief. They’re looking for an easy steal and anything trickier will send most on their way. HIDE YOUR VALUABLES And we don’t just mean a purse or cell phone (although secure those too!). If you’ve been hitting the stores all day and have amassed a haul to rival even Santa then you want to keep those out of sight. Consider placing purchases in your trunk or covering shopping bags with a blanket. KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PURSE/WALLET This goes for both in the store and in the parking lot. Be aware of where your purse or bag is while in the store and if you do set it down make sure you pick it back up! And
while outside, be sure to retrieve your purse and purchases from the shopping cart before you return it to the corral. Don’t forget under the cart too! DON’T LEAVE ITEMS UNATTENDED This goes for your purse, your coat and any purchases you’ve made. Even if you’re just popping away down an aisle for a quick moment that’s all the time someone needs to take your property. LEAVE THE EXTRA CASH AND CARDS AT HOME The more you have on you the more you have to lose, and losing a credit card could lead to possible identity theft or credit card fraud. PARKING LOT SAFETY Remember where you parked your vehicle so you don’t spend additional time wandering the lot. When possible if shopping in the evening hours, park in well-lit areas near the doors so you do not have to travel far.
Jeff Burgner Jeff Burgner Chief of Police, Oswego Police Department
WWW.OSWEGOCHAMBER.ORG WINTER 2018
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OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER MEMBERSHIP
Meet Our
NEWEST MEMBERS VIABLE OFFICE SOLUTIONS ALLYSON JACOBSEN 42 Circle Dr. West Montgomery, IL 60538 630-870-9679 Allyson@viableofficesolutions. com www.viableofficesolutions. com THE PEACH RING KELLEIGH TITO 12 W. Washington St, Unit B Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-7170 thepeachring@gmail.com www.thepeachring.com BIKE BALD GROUP DEBBIE MOSSBURG 27 Stonehill Rd, Unit C Oswego, IL 60543 630-618-8731 info@bikebald.com www.bikebald.org JP MORGAN CHASE BANK JAMES MADAI 417 Deerfield Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 847-274-1661 Fax: 855-323-6553 JMadai25@gmail.com www.Homeloanchase.com/ James.madai EDWARD JONES/FERRARO NICK FERRARO 1063 Station Drive Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-6317 Nick.ferraro@edwardjones. com www.edwardjones.com/nickferraro KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY JULIE GONDAR 74 W. Van Buren Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-7398 jgondar@kendalldems.org www.kendalldems.com
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GET READY SET MOVE CECILIA SALVO 2757 Route 34, Unit B, Suite 165 Oswego, IL 60543 630-615-8885 cece@getreadysetmove.com www.getreadysetmove.com SKY ZONE AURORA KEVIN DUGAL 87 Executive Dr. Aurora, IL 60504 331-207-4759 Kevin.dugal@skyzone.com www.skyzone.com/aurora DR HORTON MIKE VENTETIS, TINA RAGO, MEREDITH PICK 752 Juniper Oswego, IL 60543 msvenetis@drhorton.com tmrago@drhorton.com mpick@drhorton.com www.drhorton.com GNC UMA VOOTKUR 2458 US Highway 30 Oswego, IL 60543 gncstores@gmail.com 630-362-5002 FOX VALLEY REAL ESTATE DANIELLE HOLMAN 302 E. State Street Geneva, IL 60134 630-664-6363 630-232-3900 Fax: 630-232-3901 DHolman08@gmail.com www.DanielleHolman.com CAMMI PHOTO BOOTH CYNTHIA GAMBOA P.O. Box 223 Montgomery, IL 60538 630-636-1335 info@cammiphotobooth.com www.CamMiPhotobooth.com
OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2018
NOCK & FEATHER KUSTOM ARCHERY TAMMY COLBURN 439 S. Lake Street Aurora, IL 60506 630-896-3854 nockandfeather@comcast.net www.nockandfeatherarchery. com ABOVE BOARD ENVIRONMENTAL BARTON ROBERTSON 38 Stonehill Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 630-973-6099 Barton.robertson@gmail.com ED’S URNS, PLAQUES & MEMORIALS ED ARNOLD Oswego, IL 60543 630-999-5461 edsurns@gmail.com www.edsurns.com WARNER LAW GROUP RICHARD WARNER 1700 Park St., Ste. 203 Naperville, IL 60563 630-446-0087 rw@rwarnerlaw.com www.warnerlawgroup.com KENDALL COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY GEORGE (LEE) HOHMANN JR. 7935 Illinois Route 71 Yorkville, IL 60560 630-553-6777 Lyonfarmchs1@gmail.com www.lyonfarmchs.org LODESTAR COLLABORATIVE WENDY MARTORANO 4549 Gardiner Ave. Yorkville, IL 60560 773-454-7996 Fax: 630-589-0621 Wmartorano5@gmail.com www.lodestarcollab.com CHASE DAWN MARQUIS Oswego, IL 60543 630-788-1299 Dawn.a.marquis@chase.com www.dawn.a.marquis@chase. com
JIM FEELEY – RETIRED Oswego, IL 60543 773-350-2319 jamesfeeley@sbcglobal.net BEAUTIFUL FACES ESTHETICS LORI L. SCHMITZ 4558 State Route 71 Oswego, IL 60543 773-746-7643 lorilschmitz@yahoo.com BEST VIEW SIGNS, INC. WADE SUTHERLAND 212 Sherman Ave. Montgomery, IL 60538 Wadesutherland06@gmail. com FULLY PROMOTED KASIF AWAN 14429 Wallin Dr. Plainfield, IL 60544 815-556-8723 info@signarama-plainfield. com SIGNARAMA PLAINFIELD KASIF AWAN 14429 Wallin Dr. Plainfield, IL 60544 815-556-8848 info@signarama-plainfield. com www.signarama-plainfield. com JEN’S LIMO SERVICE PLUS, LLC JENNIFER SCOTT 2033 Village View Drive Yorkville, IL 60560 Jjj.x.3@sbcglobal.net www.jenslimoserviceplus.com HOOPIS GROUP ROBERT LEONARDO 1001 Warrenville Rd., Ste. 450 Lisle, IL 60532 Leonardo@hoopisgroup.com
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR CHAMBER CEO LETTER
Chamber CEO LETTER CELEBRATING 35 YEARS AS A CHAMBER The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce was formed in August 1984 so we have just entered our 35th year. Watch for special events and more to come with this anniversary.
ANGIE HIBBEN
President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
Highlights for 2019 will be our Annual Hometown Expo to be held on Saturday, February 23rd from 9-3 pm, our Annual Dinner where we will celebrate our 35th birthday along with our Annual Awards to be held on April 25th, our Annual Golf Outing scheduled for May 30th at Fox Bend Golf Course, our 3rd Annual Spirits on the Farm event to be held in September and our 9th Annual Fraidycat 5k, Ghost Run 10k & Meow Mile schedule for October 27th. Along with these annual events will be a host of Ribbon Cuttings, Coffee with the Chamber morning networking events, Business after Hours networking events, Ribbon cuttings and seminars. Watch the chamber’s website at www.oswegochamber.org and our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ OswegoAreaChamberofCommerce for details on events. The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce has had continued growth since it was formed and currently sits at 540+ members with just over 300 being from Oswego and the rest from 22 communities surround the Oswego area. We have been able to hold our dues steady since 2008 and are working hard to continue that pattern.
and gifts inc.
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Wondering what a Chamber of Commerce membership can do for you? Now is a great time to find out. Check out our calendar, attend an event or leads group and learn more about what we can do for your business. “No business is too small or too big to be part of the chamber,” Hibben said. The same goes for nonprofits. “We have members that range from small not-for-profits with all volunteers to the larger nonprofits with paid staff,” she said. We are a community that does business with each other! At our recent New Member dinner, we had an mini expo featuring the newest members. While one of those new members was enjoying his dinner, he received an email from someone he had just met during the open networking time, requesting a time to meet and learn more about how his company could help them save some money. A lead in under 2 hours of meeting someone. Lori and I love to help businesses connect, learn and grow. We are here to help and would love to meet with anyone who wants to learn more about our chamber and how we work with our businesses and in our community. Stop by our office, say hello, and learn more about the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.
Angie Hibben
Angie Hibben President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
26 Main St, Oswego | 630-551-4438 | www.floralexpressionsoswego.com WWW.OSWEGOCHAMBER.ORG WINTER 2018
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GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
GIVING BACK By AIMEE BARROWS
The holiday season is the perfect time to give back to your community, and the Oswego area has plenty of opportunities for residents to donate their time or financially support some of the many nonprofits that rely on holiday-inspired generosity to boost their budgets. The Tuesday after Thanksgiving is “Giving Tuesday,” which is a global day dedicated to giving back to local communities. Angie Hibben, president and CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, explains that many area organizations need extra help over the holidays. “There are a lot of families that need support,” she says. “There are a lot of local nonprofits, from Rotary to Kiwanis to United Way, which create lots of ways to give back. You can volunteer your time, donate furniture or other goods, or give a cash donation. It’s easy to do, and Oswego is great about helping others.” Mutual Ground, a nonprofit organization that provides emergency shelter and services for victims of domestic violence
and sexual assault, is looking for volunteer “elves” for its Santa’s Workshop event on Dec. 13-15. Volunteers will help clients shop for family members. Mutual Ground also is accepting gift cards and donations from its “wish list,” which is available at www.mutualground.org. The Kendall County Community Food Pantry always needs volunteers to sort food or help clients when the pantry is open on Thursdays. Food and cash donations always are welcomed. For more information on volunteer opportunities, call the pantry at 630-5530473.
The Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club hosts free breakfasts every other Thursday for veterans in Kendall County, and the group is always looking for volunteers to serve food at the Montgomery VFW, or help with other veteran-related community projects. The group is also looking for people to sponsor a breakfast for $50. For more information, visit the Fox Valley Veterans Breakfast Club on Facebook. Some additional Kendall County nonprofit organizations that may be in need of extra hope during the holiday season include Camp Quarryledge, Bike Bald Group, Kendall County Historical Society, Fox Valley Habitat for Humanity, Oswego Lions Club, Senior Services, Inc., Celebrate Differences Disability Awareness Center, Fox Valley Older Adults Services and Fox Valley United Way.
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OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2018
WE HELP CAPTURE THE LEGACY OF YOUR LIFE
630.636.9107
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Here is a list of local organizations doing great work in our community:
AMERICAN LEGION OSWEGO POST 675
KENDALL COUNTY FAIR ASSOCIATION
AURORA AREA SHRINE CLUB
KNOLLWOOD GUN CLUB
ARRANMORE ARTS
CASA KENDALL COUNTY
CELEBRATE DIFFERENCES DISABILITY AWARENESS CENTER CHARACTER COUNTS! COALITION OF OSWEGO/ MONTGOMERY FOX RIVER TOASTMASTERS CLUB
FOX VALLEY OLDER ADULT SERVICES FOX VALLEY SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOCIATION
FOX VALLEY UNITED WAY
KENDALL COUNTY YOUNG REPUBLICANS LOVE IN ACTION INTERNATIONAL
LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICES OF ILLINOIS
MOMS & MORE OSWEGO MUTUAL GROUND, INC. OSWEGO BASEBALL & SOFTBALL ASSOCIATION
OSWEGO BEARS POP WARNER FOOTBALL AND CHEER OSWEGO EAST BOOSTER CLUB
INK 180 TATTOO
OSWEGO EAST WOLF PARENTS
KENDALL CO. HISTORICAL SOCIETY
OSWEGO LIONS CLUB
JUST GIANTS RESCUE
Ed Hettinger Owner
OSWEGO ROBOTICS
OSWEGO YOUTH TACKLE FOOTBALL
OSWEGOLAND OPTIMIST CLUB OSWEGOLAND PARK DISTRICT
OSWEGOLAND SENIORS ROTARY CLUB OF OSWEGO
SENIOR SERVICES ASSOCIATES, INC.
THE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
THE FUSION PROJECT
VOLUNTARY ACTION CENTER/ KENDALL AREA TRANSIT YOUNG LIFE
OSWEGO JUNIOR WOMAN’S CLUB
Matt Hettinger Sales
NOW IN OUR 13th YEAR
YOUR FRIENDS IN THE CAR BUSINESS
OUR MISSION IS TO GIVE YOU A PLEASURABLE BUYING EXPERIENCE Downtown by the 69 W. Washington St / Rt 34 · Oswego, IL 60543 • (630) 554-9339 railroad tracks! Ed and Matt invite you to stop by and see how over 80 years combined experience can make your purchase truly pleasant. We are currently celebrating our 12 th year servicing the Fox Valley area. We specialize in vehicles under $10,000 - many in the $4,000-$8,000 range. All have been safety checked, serviced and should give you years of driving pleasure as a student, family, work or second vehicle. If you don’t see what you are looking for in our inventory regardless of the year, we will find that special vehicle for you. We truly appreciate the many loyal customers and referrals we have had over the last 12 years. Make your next vehicle purchase from us and we will exceed your expectations.
Also visit our website at
www.HettsAutoSales.com WWW.OSWEGOCHAMBER.ORG WINTER 2018
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RIBBON CUTTINGS
RECENT CELEBRATIONS BIKE BALD GROUP
Non-profit organization that supports children with cancer and rare illness, public yoga, art and music therapy. CONTACT: Debbie Mossburg 27 Stonehill Rd, Unit C Oswego, IL 60543 PHONE: 630-618-8731 E-MAIL: info@bikebald.com WEB SITE: www.bikebald.org
DR. HORTON
Develop & build new home communities CONTACT: Mike Ventetis, Tina Rago, Meredith Pick 752 Juniper Oswego, IL 60543 EMAIL: msvenetis@drhorton.com tmrago@drhorton.com mpick@drhorton.com WEBSITE: www.drhorton.com
KENDALL COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY Political Group
CONTACT: Julie Gondar 74 W. Van Buren Oswego, IL 60543 PHONE: 630-636-7398 EMAIL: jgondar@kendalldems.org WEBSITE: www.kendalldems.com
STONEHOUSE MARKET
Antique, Vintage, Home Decor, Bridal registery and Upholstery services. CONTACT: Fran Rouse 62 Washington St. Oswego, IL 60543 PHONE: 630-470-8879 EMAIL: Ambrosehill81@gmail.com
WHITE EAGLE AUTO BODY
Auto collision CONTACT: Brian Filippin 851 S. Lake Street Oswego, IL 60543 PHONE: 630.264.1661 EMAIL: brian@weautobody.com WEBSITE: www.whiteeagleautobody.com
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OSWEGO AREA CHAMBER NEWSLETTER WINTER 2018
VILLAGE ADMINISTRATOR LETTER
IT’s
ntown Association PR wego Dow ESENTS The Os
e i k o Co Walk
TIME
DEC. 1ST
As t e re n St i a M -
Stroll through
“Bedford Falls”while enjoying festive music and decorations of a gone by era.
Bring Your List
Bring your Christmas lists and shop the local merchants for all your gift giving needs.
At 4:00pm
Make your way to “City Hall” aka Oswego Cyclery, Located at 59 S Main Street. Help us celebrate the final scene of the beloved movie by bringing your donations of non-perishable food or cash to remember those in need this Holiday Season.
Enjoy
f f O $5
With Purchase of $25 December 1 and 2, 2018 only.Coupon must be presented at time of purchase at valid Downtown Oswego Merchants. Exclusions Apply.
SATURDAY
10AM - 4PM Purchase your 2018 cookie tin with map and gather Christmas cookies courtesy of your local downtown merchants.
A limited quantity of tins will be available!
COOKIE TINS AVAILABLE AT
$10 per tin
Floral Expressions Hudson Design House Kimberly Ann Home Decorating Cash only please, debit and credit cards will be charged a 3% service fee
WWW.OSWEGOCHAMBER.ORG WINTER 2018
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GRAB LIFE BY THE
HANDLEBARS
SALES and SERVICE 59 Main St, Oswego (630) 551-2300 www.oswegocyclery.com