Rolling Meadows and its Chamber of Commerce are fortunate to boast a diverse economic base, composed of businesses, large and small, new and well established. While some primarily serve local residents, others serve the larger Chicago community and still others provide services or ship product to the entire country or even the world.
Freedom Title
Rolling Meadows-based Freedom Title Corporation, a full-service title agent of Chicago Title Insurance Company and First American Title Insurance Company, is a powerhouse in the title/escrow industry in Illinois, Wisconsin and Indiana.
Founded in 1998, it is led by President Larry Howard who has over 30 years of expertise in construction, real estate, foreclosures, tax sales and construction/commercial underwriting. Howard’s experience is augmented by a talented leadership team with many additional years of industry expertise.
Title companies generally act as the combined agent of the insurance company, buyer, seller and any other parties related to a real estate transaction, such as mortgage lenders. They review the title, research the various parties’ financial records, issue insurance policies, facilitate closings by distributing funds to the different parties and file and record the paperwork.
“Freedom Title was founded with the goal of providing experienced and rapid response to the needs of commercial/industrial and developer/builder clients. We bring to our clients the integrity and financial strength of the industry’s leading underwriters and continually develop and expand Freedom Title’s outstanding organization, capabilities and brand to better serve our clients’ ever-changing needs,” Howard said.
Since 2012 when the national economy began to recover from “Real Estate Katrina,” as Howard calls the most recent downturn, Freedom Title has provided businesses with more than $3.2 billion in title insurance, including a $93 million transaction involving 16 nursing homes and a $105 million 38-story Millennium Park office/ apartment tower.
“Sixty percent of our business involves commercial projects like small “out-lot” retail and restaurants, and the other 40 percent is condominiums and local builders’ large subdivisions. Most involve projects of under $10 million but we have had some that were much larger,” he noted.
“Freedom Title offers the financial strength and integrity of a national underwriter, yet we are able to customize our services to cater to each client’s unique needs,” Howard said.
Freedom Title is also equipped to facilitate tax-deferred exchanges, allowing sellers to defer paying capital gains tax and depreciation recapture tax on the sale of investment property by purchasing another “like-kind” investment property.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa
Rolling Meadows has been the site of the Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa for nearly three years. Located at 1215 Golf Rd., this licensed spa features a wide variety of massage, facial and hair removal services for men, women and teens.
“Ours is a stress-filled world and there is nothing better for relieving that stress than a full body massage. These luxurious treatments are proven to relieve tension, soothe tired muscles and temper migraines. We offer several modalities and enhancements such as Swedish, Himalayan salt stone, prenatal, trigger point, couples massage, hot towel foot treatment and more,” said Cydney Muti, director of operations.
The relaxing and inviting facility also offers several skin treatment therapies to rejuvenate, exfoliate, hydrate, detox, brighten and tighten. Hair removal services are also available.
“We know radiant, healthy skin reflects how you look and feel. Hand & Stone’s facials are performed by licensed and certified estheticians and are individually tailored for women, men or teens,” Muti added. “We also offer exceptional exfoliation facials such as microdermabrasion and peels which gently and effectively exfoliate the skin.”
“We are determined to bring health and wellness to the public at an affordable price point. New clients can take advantage of our services starting at $49.95. A Lifestyle Program is available to ensure ongoing affordable services.
Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa is open seven days a week with convenient hours. Gift cards are available. For details, call (847) 718-1215 or visit the website at www.handandstonerollingmeadows.com.
Annie’s Resale for the World
Providing funds to help the world’s poorest residents by selling lightly-used clothing and household goods and then donating store profits to organizations worldwide is the mission of Annie and Donald Farrell at Annie’s Resale for the World, 2120 Plum Grove Rd.
Since 2012, Annie’s Resale for the World has been using volunteers to sell donated clothing, jewelry, purses and small household goods.
“We have donors who give us really nice items for the shop and then we sell them at fair prices so we also attract a wonderful clientele,” Annie said. “It is exciting to see the quality of the donations. Our profits are constantly rising, allowing us to donate more each year.”
The shop works with six international partners and one Chicago organization. They have funded the construction of a playground in Uganda; helped a group that takes supplies and ministers to those in war-torn Syria and Iraq; helped to purchase baking ovens in central Uganda; funded school scholarships in Haiti; helped expand a community tutoring center in northern India; and supplied two women’s sewing groups in Kenya which make the aprons and tote bags sold in the shop.
Funds are also donated to a Chicago organization for young mothers who are given a place to live with their babies and are taught parenting and business skills.
“We are thrilled to be able to serve not only our partners around the world, but our local communities, as well,” said Annie. “We look forward to Year Six of business and hopefully, many more to come.”