According to records, in early 1910 a group of businessmen organized and called themselves the Lake Zurich Commercial Club. Charter members were: Emil Ficke, president; Herman Prehm, secretary; Carl Ernst, treasurer; and members J. D. Fink, Emil Frank, Walter Plagge, Herman Helfer, Phillip Young, Fred Seip, Lou Geary, August Froelich, Ernest Shenning, Otto Frank, George Prussia, Joe Whitney and Fred Blau.
Early accomplishments of this group included the spreading of crushed stone on Route 12 in front of what used to be known as the Hickory Hill Animal Hospital because that stretch of road was impossible for local and the Chicago tourist traffic.
During the World War I years, the Commercial Club men were instrumental in establishing the State Bank of Lake Zurich. The initial stockholders and officers included: Henry Stiels, Emil Frank, Henry Berghorn, Fred Hoeft and John Fink.
On June 20, 1930, a charter for the Lake Zurich Chamber of Commerce was recommended and accepted by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce with the mission of advancing the commercial, industrial, professional and civic interest of the Lake Zurich community. Little is on record of the activities and accomplishments of the forerunner of the present day Chamber, which was reorganized in 1954 with E. A. Lusk serving as president.
By 1965, the Chamber had grown to 52 members. By the early 1970’s, it had doubled to 105. In 2013, the Chamber has grown to almost 500 members. For several years, the Chamber maintained a flag at the corner of Old Rand Road and Main Street and was responsible for securing Christmas decorations for the downtown section of the town.
The Chamber has been instrumental through the years in getting traffic lights at major intersections, for securing a “no parking” edict (for safety reasons) along the seawall (now called the Promenade), for cooperating through contributions for weed and pollution control on the lake and for paying one-third of the annual cost to send a Lake Zurich High School student to Washington, D.C. (Presidential Classroom for Young Americans).
In 1969, the Chamber headed the raising of funds for the village’s first ambulance and did the same for a second ambulance in 1971. Also in 1971, the Chamber was instrumental in creating a 40-car parking lot in the center of town.
During the 75th Anniversary of the Village of Lake Zurich in 1971, Chamber members sold chances to win a whole steer. Tickets for the raffle were 25 cents each or five for $1.
Today, the Lake Zurich Area Chamber of Commerce, serving Lake Zurich, Hawthorn Woods, Kildeer, Long Grove, Deer Park, North Barrington and Ela Township, is a working partnership of business and community. Its members, the Executive Committee, Board of Directors and staff coordinate their efforts under effective leadership for advancement and development of the community, area and the free enterprise system.
Village of Deer Park
(847) 726-1648
23680 W. Cuba Rd.
Deer Park, IL 60010
www.villageofdeerpark.com
The Village of Deer Park has long been a community residents are proud to call home. Built on a rural, picturesque foundation with ample open space, lush forest preserves and endless walking paths, the village has thoughtfully developed over the years into a vibrant, living and shopping destination. Being located just minutes from Route 53, close proximity to two metro train stations and 20 minutes from O’Hare Airport, the success of the Deer Park Town Center continues to flourish.
Deer Park is home to over 70 distinctive shops at the Deer Park Town Center, Town Center Promenade, upscale and family-friendly dining, Century Movie Theatre and a growing business community at the Deer Park Office Center and the Reserve at Deer Park.
Housing options include Solana, an upscale senior community and Deer Park Crossing, a luxury 236-unit multi-family development. The village’s theme is to be “Resident Focused, Business Friendly” as they continue to improve and develop the Village of Deer Park.
Village of Hawthorn Woods
(847) 438-5500
2 Lagoon Dr.
Hawthorn Woods, IL 60047
www.vhw.org
With approximately 8,000 residents, Hawthorn Woods remains a highly desirable place to live, work and play in a natural setting among trees, lakes and parks. Hawthorn Woods is recognized for its emphasis on beautiful open spaces and park amenities. The Village of Hawthorn Woods offers access to great schools, friendly business districts and professional services.
The services that the village provide include a full-service police department, public works department, finance department, building department and parks and recreation department, which all work together to provide excellence in service to the citizens, visitors and business community of Hawthorn Woods.
Hawthorn Woods welcomes you to learn more about our special oasis approximately 40 miles from downtown Chicago. Hawthorn Woods is a continuously developing and growing community with increasing residential development opportunities, while simultaneously preserving the rural atmosphere that the village was built upon. Hawthorn Woods creates a lifestyle full of amenities and special events and is well known as one of the safest communities in Illinois. The village has also been awarded one of the most desirable places to live.
Village of Kildeer
(847) 438-6000
21911 Quentin Rd.
Kildeer, IL 60047
www.villageofkildeer.com
The Village of Kildeer is a lovely community of custom homes on large lots in southwest Lake County where over 1,200 single family custom homes are nestled among majestic trees and scenic ponds. Village leaders take care to make sure that the village holds true to its motto, “a unique village in a natural setting.”
Kildeer is a wonderful and safe place to live and raise a family. Demand for high-quality housing is high here and three new residential subdivisions are planned for Kildeer in 2018-19.
The village is known as a prestigious place to own a home and there is plenty to do here to help residents enjoy life. Residents benefit from highly rated schools, fine restaurants and four popular shopping centers. A new 50,000-square-foot medical office facility is scheduled to open in Kildeer in 2019.
Also, Kildeer is home to Kemper Lakes, a premier golf club and host of several major championships, the last of which took place in 2018. Kildeer has convenient access to an international airport and all of the special venues in downtown Chicago.
Village of Lake Zurich
(847) 438-5141
70 E. Main St.
Lake Zurich, IL 60047
www.lakezurich.org
Lake Zurich is home to over 20,000 residents with a stable, diverse, and expanding economy. Lake Zurich’s convenient location in southwest Lake County, strong neighborhoods, and desirable demographics provide a welcoming, supportive environment for a wide range of business endeavors.
Lake Zurich’s median household income exceeds $118,000 (over 81% of the state average), with an average of $88,242 available for discretionary spending. Over 85% of the community’s residents are homeowners, supporting a median home value of $369,000 (over 85% of the state average). With a population of over 176,000 within a 15-minute drive, Lake Zurich was recognized by the Melaniphy 2017 Retail Sales Report as the 13th best municipality in the Chicago area for general merchandise sales.
Our Village has emerged as a prime area for retail development with an abundant mix of businesses and a pro-business climate. In Lake Zurich, you will find a vibrant retail environment, easy access to markets, and a proactive, business friendly government with leadership that understands your needs. As a result of this stable economic environment, major commercial retailers such as Super Walmart, Target, Costco, Binny’s, Home Depot, Trader Joe’s, Mariano’s Fresh Market, Grand Appliance, and American Sales have chosen to locate in Lake Zurich. Because of these highly successful retailers, excellent demographics, and pro-business culture, Life Time Fitness will join the Lake Zurich community in Spring 2020 when they open their new 120,000 square foot facility. In turn, Life Time’s commitment to Lake Zurich has generated new business development inquiries for nearby properties, reinforcing the community’s desirability for additional opportunities.
The reemergence of our Main Street District began in earnest this year with the completion of 48 new high-end luxury apartments and the opening of the Sunset Pavilion Beer Garden, a new public-private project boasting a 1,800 square-foot open facility with 180-degree views of Lake Zurich. The activity resulting from these projects is generating new opportunities, particularly for start-up and smaller businesses that are looking to establish themselves at the heart of our community.
I invite you to consider Lake Zurich as the future home for your business. Our Board of Trustees and dedicated staff will always do our best to serve you by providing information, assistance, and support to meet your needs. Please visit our website at LakeZurich.org and our Facebook page (Village of Lake Zurich) where a wealth of information and resources about the Village and links to other community businesses and organizations can be found.
Again, welcome to Lake Zurich, where you belong!
Tom Poynton, Mayor