I’m proud of the supportive business environment fostered by our Chamber and the many involved and engaged business people who are committed, not just to their own success, but to the success of the Village and its residents.
2018 was a great year for Bloomingdale. We welcomed our biggest crowd yet for the 2018 Community Tree Lighting Ceremony and expanded Kris Kringle Market, kicking off the park district’s annual month-long Festival of Lights. Dominating the Old Town Piazza this year was our magnificent 40-foot Christmas tree, which was graciously donated to the village by Woodland Windows, located at the southeast corner of Lake Street and Gary Avenue.
Revitalization of Lake Street and Old Town continue with the rehabilitation and construction of a number of new buildings. In Old Town the village welcomed Alcentro Trattoria, a relaxed dining venue with a warm atmosphere for family and friend to come together to enjoy good food and drink.
Also opening in Old Town this past year was Wolfden Brewing offering a wonderful tasting room overlooking the beer manufacture room and an outdoor beer garden for patrons to enjoy.
Along Lake Street, the village welcomed the opening of Dunkin’ Donuts and the transformation of the shopping center just north of St. Paul’s Cemetery with new retail and in 2019 Steamboat BBQ. It’s been exciting to be a part of the rebirth and redevelopment of Lake Street and Old Town, but there is still much to do in 2019.
One of those projects is the Lake Street streetscape enhancements that include: gateway elements with Bloomingdale identity, median landscape and hardscape elements, public parkway landscaping, irrigation system, electrical system for holiday lighting, adding new “pedestrian side” street lighting and replacing the existing high-intensity discharge street lighting fixtures with more energy efficient fixtures.
2019 will also be an exciting time to see the changes planned for Stratford Mall where Carson’s prepares to open a smaller store and construction of a Woodman’s Market will begin. Residents and visitors will also be able to enjoy the addition of a wine bar offering comfort Italian dishes and 25 West Brewery that also opened in 2018. Along the ring road, Texas Roadhouse is scheduled to open later in 2019.
I, along with the Bloomingdale Village Board of Trustees (Vince Ackerman, Bill Belmonte, Bill Bolen, Frank Bucaro, Patrick Shannon and Judi Von Huben), am looking forward to continuing our work in the community and continuing to push the village’s motto of “Growth with Pride” forward in 2019.
Mayor Franco Coladipietro