Mount Prospect Entrepreneurs Initiative gives residents the tools to start a business

Attracting new businesses to Mount Prospect to bolster tax revenue and serve residents is the mission of the Mount Prospect Entrepreneurs Initiative (MPEI), a consortium made up of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce, the Village of Mount Prospect and Mount Prospect Public Library.

For the past seven years, the MPEI has been actively reaching out to residents who have dreamed of starting their own businesses and given them advice and direction to resources they need to make their dreams come true – hopefully, within Mount Prospect borders.

“When people call the Chamber and say that they are interested in starting their own business, we tell them that it CAN be done and we want you to do it in Mount Prospect!” said Dawn Fletcher Collins, executive director of the Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce.

“Convenient access to information is vital for entrepreneurs, whose schedules are hectic,” said Nellie Beckner, assistant to the village manager.

MPEI tries to make it easier to connect business owners and prospects with topics of interest to them through their web page on the village website (www.mountprospect.org/MPEI), social media and e-newsletters. The website features information on upcoming MPEI programming, workshops and films as well as details about events sponsored by local business organizations. Such
information is also shared on Facebook (@MPEI60056) and through Twitter (@MPEntrepreneurs) and the e-newsletter that is sent directly to interested subscribers’ inboxes.

“One of the most exciting new projects for the MPEI in 2018 has been the development of business podcasts, which can be found on the MPEI page,” said Joe Collier, business reference librarian at the Mount Prospect Public Library. “We wanted to take the knowledge and experience shared by our Advisors (local Mount Prospect business owners with proven records of success and community involvement) during our Access 2 Advisors (A2A) live events and make it available to anyone interested.”

Every A2A guest answers the same five questions related to core concepts relevant to new entrepreneurs. Their enlightening responses can be listened to individually or in entirety.

“So far, the response has been wonderful, and we plan on sharing many more over time,” Collier added.

“Annual MPEI team goals also include increasing the tool kit offerings to prospects and new and existing business owners. In addition, in 2019 we will have a shared office space experience available. Follow us; we are growing!” Collins said.

Constant change is the reality in every dynamic community. Mount Prospect is no exception. Randhurst Village, for instance, is moving forward without Carson Pirie Scott & Co., which closed its doors in late August.

The structure they occupied, which is owned by DLC Management, will likely be re-faced to match the rest of Randhurst Village and then will be converted to accommodate between five and seven retail or entertainment users, said Bill Cooney, community development director.

Elsewhere at Randhurst, activity continue to percolate. DSW shoes will open between Michael’s and Bed Bath and Beyond in early 2019. Mod Pizza opened this fall in the space next to Naf Naf Grill and McAlister’s Deli will occupy space near the new Tide Dry Cleaners. The Kiddie Academy on the east side of the Randhurst property opened in late summer.

Along Kensington Road, The Red Barn Restaurant and Brewery has opened in the distinctive old structure which once housed “Bogie’s” and Greek Feast restaurant has opened in the former Photo’s Hot Dogs space.

Across from the Brunswick Zone bowling alley along Rand Road, the “Mount Prospect Pointe” development is also progressing. Three of the four available pads are reserved, Cooney said. It will feature the Texas Roadhouse restaurant, Buona Beef and The Tile Shoppe. The fourth pad remains available.

Things are cooking, as well, in downtown Mount Prospect. The empty property on the northwest corner of Central Road and Route 83 has a new owner that plans to build a three- or four-story apartment building, Cooney said. “We found that there is not much demand for retail on that corner.”

On West Busse Avenue, near Brick City Tavern and a new Chinese restaurant, 73 luxury apartments at “20West” and a new 5,000-square-foot restaurant are currently under construction. Park Terrace, a 12-unit rowhome project is also under construction just north of the post office on Elmhurst Avenue.

The police and fire departments are expected to vacate their combined downtown headquarters some time in 2020. New plans for that prime property are being discussed.

South of the tracks, the former Parenti-Rafaelli parcel and portions of the adjoining municipal parking lot are being reconfigured. The six acres will feature luxury apartments, row homes, some retail and reconfigured commuter parking, Cooney said.

On the south end of the village, a stand-alone Starbucks is planned for the Golf Plaza II shopping center, next to Boston Market. In addition, a 130,000-square-foot distribution center will open behind Mr. Beef and Pizza next spring and St. John Lutheran Church on Linneman Road is proceeding with plans to sell four acres of their property to allow the construction of an assisted living and memory care facility.

Lumen Optical

Lumen Optical opened its doors in Randhurst Village in October 2016, and has been serving the Mount Prospect and surrounding communities since. By bringing a consumer-oriented approach to the eyewear industry, Lumen created a one-of-a-kind shop that fuses science and style.

Their mission is to provide a high-end boutique environment with quality eye care and eyewear, without the high prices. With frames starting at $49, and free upgrades including contact lens fitting and retinal imaging, every guest is able to find their look at a price they love.

The revamp of the Randhurst Village shopping center, and the people who run the surrounding businesses, made for an easy choice when Lumen was picking their new home. They felt a sense of community that fit their vision to put guests first.

As a result, the Mount Prospect location has become a beautiful cornerstone to Randhurst Village, boasting over 1,000 styles of glasses inside. In order to bring the fun back into picking out glasses, Lumen has a style bar where guests can comfortably find their unique look. They also serve the community by hosting fun events in their store, which feels more like a hangout than a doctor’s office.

Trezeros Kitchen + Tap

Trezeros Kitchen + Tap is an upscale casual dining Italian American eatery in Downtown Mount Prospect. Trezeros boasts a scratch kitchen, using only fresh ingredients. They make all the sauces, soups and dressings in house while using fresh pastas, steaks, poultry and seafood that is delivered daily.

The bar offers an extensive wine list that includes premium eco-friendly tap wine that allows for a fresh glass at every pour as well as locally crafted draft beers, signature and seasonal cocktails.

The 180+ capacity venue offers a variety of seating options from oversized booths and high tops to traditional square tables, all made from locally reclaimed wood. They have numerous TVs in the bar area to enjoy dinner while watching your favorite team. The dining room has an understated elegance, and can be privatized for private events for groups of 30 to 70.

Julie and Pasquale Ergastolo are proprietors and longtime residents of Mount Prospect. Their industry experience includes having owned Casa Royale for over 18 years (until closing in 2013) and currently owning and operating Club Casa Café @ The Golf Center for 15 years, both in Des Plaines.

They both felt that an upscale casual dining restaurant and bar would be a great fit for the downtown area and its residents. They chose this location primarily because Northwest Highway is well traveled into Chicagoland and the Northwest Suburbs. They knew that the core business would start from residents and word of mouth, but believed the convenience of travel and exposure would draw visitors from surrounding communities. A recipe for success!

Bar Louie
200 E. Rand Rd.
(847) 394-3456
www.barlouie.com

Blackfinn Ameripub
157 Randhurst Village Dr.
(847) 398-5501
www.blackfinnameripub.com

Brick City Tavern
34 S. Main St.
(847) 873-1230
www.brickcitytavern.com

Bricks Wood Fired Pizza
(inside MP Ice Arena)
1501 Feehanville Dr.
(847) 376-8231
www.brickswoodfiredpizza.com

Buffalo Wild Wings
301 E. Euclid Ave.
(847) 255-5000
www.buffalowildwings.com

Canta Napoli
90 E. Busse Ave.
(847) 670-1440
www.cantanapolipizza.com

Chick-Fil-A of Mount Prospect
950 N. Elmhurst Rd.
(847) 398-3880
www.chick-fil-a.com/mountprospect

Culver’s of Mt. Prospect
1501 W. Dempster St.
(847) 981-1681
www.culvers.com

Draft Picks
912 S. Busse Rd.
(847) 290-9000
www.draftpicksmtprospect.com

e+o food and drink
125 Randhurst Village Dr.
(847) 398-3636
www.eofoodanddrink.com

Emerson’s Ale House
113 S. Emerson St.
(847) 870-1996
www.emersonsalehouse.com

Fellini Restaurant & Pizzeria
1729 W. Golf Rd.
(847) 593-8181
www.fellinirestaurant.com

Finn McCool’s
702 N. River Rd.
(847) 298-7200
www.paddysinn.com

Giacomo’s Ristorante Italiano
740 N. Wolf Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 390-7330
www.mygiacomos.com

Hacienda El Sombrero
111 S. Elmhurst Rd.
(847) 364-0030
www.haciendaelsombrero.com

Honey Butter
106 W. Northwest Hwy.
(847) 749-1766
www.honeybutterbreakfast.com

Jameson’s Charhouse
1702 W. Algonquin Rd.
(847) 956-1500
www.jamesons-charhouse.com

Jelly Café
1784 W. Golf Rd.
(847) 979-8989
www.jelly-cafe.com

Katie’s Kitchen
623 N. Wolf Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 803-3544
www.katieskitchenonline.com

Le Peep Café & Pub
10 E. Northwest Hwy.
(847) 797-9990
www.lepeepcafe.com

Little Villa Restaurant
660 N. Wolf Rd.
Des Plaines, IL 60016
(847) 296-7763
www.littlevillapizza.com

McDonald’s
13 W. Rand Rd.
(224) 347-2087
www.mylocalmcds.com

Mia’s Cantina
143 W. Prospect Ave.
(224) 764-2433
www.miascantina.com

Moretti’s Ristorante & Pizzeria
1799 S. Busse Rd.
(847) 303-4400
www.morettischicago.com/mountprospect.php

Mr. Beef & Pizza
1796 S. Elmhurst Rd.
(847) 228-1210
www.mrbeefandpizzamp.com

Mrs. P & Me
100 E. Prospect Ave.
(847) 259-9724
www.mrs-pandme.com

Olympus Gyros
412 W. Northwest Hwy.
(847) 253-5656
www.olympusgyros.com

Outback Steakhouse
909 N. Elmhurst Rd.
(847) 541-4329
www.outback.com

Panera Bread
1065 N. Elmhurst Rd.
(847) 398-5362
www.panerabread.com

Qulinarnia
1730 W. Golf Rd.
(847) 981-0480
www.qulinarnia.com

Retro Bistro, Inc.
1746 W. Golf Rd.
(847) 439-2424
www.retrobistro.com

Trezeros Kitchen + Tap
302 W. Northwest Hwy.
(847) 749-4020
www.trezeros.com

Truco Taqueria & Margarita Bar
211 Randhurst Village
(847) 577-8226
www.trucotaco.com

Specialty Foods

7-Eleven
606 W. Northwest Hwy.
(847) 392-3130
www.7-eleven.com

Andy’s Frozen Custard
205 E. Rand Road
(847) 262-4546
www.eatandys.com

Capannari Ice Cream
10 S. Pine St.
(847) 392-2277
www.capannaris.com

Central Continental Bakery
101 S. Main St.
(847) 870-9500
www.centralcontinentalbakery.com

Dunkin Donuts
820 E. Rand Rd.
(847) 441-4277
www.dunkindonuts.com

Fannie May
201 S. Main St.
(847) 398-4574
www.fanniemay.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes – Mount Prospect
1069 N. Elmhurst Rd., Ste. M-103
(847) 253-CAKE
www.nothingbundtcakes.com

Passanante’s Home Food Services
1901 Farragut Ave.
(800) 772-7786
www.homefoodservices.com

Tastefully Simple
804 W. Busse Ave.
(847) 380-9143
www.tastefullysimple.com/web/mciske

The Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce’s health care members include:

Northwest Community Healthcare Medical Center
199 W. Rand Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056

• NCH Medical Group Primary Care & Specialty Physicians
• Immediate Care Center
• Atherton Heart Failure Clinic
• Lab & Imaging Services
• Outpatient Rehabilitation

Northwest Community Hospital
800 W. Central Rd, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

NorthShore University Health System
Medical Group/Primary Care Facility
1329 Wolf Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056

AMITA Health/Medical Group
Primary Care Facility & Immediate Care Center
1754 W. Golf Rd., Mount Prospect, IL 60056

Advocate Lutheran General Hospital
1775 Dempster St., Park Ridge, IL 60068

Networking

• Chamber Business Breakfast – First Wednesdays
• Networking Groups
• NAH: Networking After Hours
• PWG: Professional Women’s Group
• Multi-Chamber Events
• Progressive Networking Breakfasts/ Luncheons
• After Hours Events
• Legislative Events
• YP: Young Professionals

Partnership, Collaboration & Sponsorship Opportunities

• IrishFest, Golf Outing, Downtown Block Party, community events & more!

Annual Community Guide & Business Directory

• Over 10,000 distributed annually

Business Referrals

• Chamber office
• Website/business directory
• Phone
• Walk-ins
• Business card referral wall

Entrepreneur’s Café

• Programs & events for prospects, start ups and small businesses
• Workshops
• Boot camps

Spotlight on Success Film Series
Features films with an entrepreneurial focus to educate and inspire

Resources, Support & 3:1 appts

• Village of Mount Prospect
• Mount Prospect Chamber of Commerce
• Mount Prospect Public Library

Further Connections

• A2A: Access to Advisors
• Roundtable session & networking
• Progressive advising session
• Small Business Development Center/Harper College
• Small Business Administration
• SCORE mentors

Thanks to the efforts of area park districts – primarily the Mt. Prospect Park District and the River Trails Park District – Mount Prospect’s recreational facilities and programs are second to none.

Mt. Prospect Park District

As it looks toward the future, the Mt. Prospect Park District has devoted energy and focus throughout 2018 to gauging the satisfaction of residents, patrons, community stakeholders and staff with regard to parks, facilities and programming. By executing a Community Attitude & Interest survey and a series of focus groups, the district gained input for the development of a new five-year Strategic Plan. The plan specifies themes, goals and objectives that define the district as it moves forward.

The “Mapping our Future” survey revealed the park district stakeholders are resoundingly pleased with the Mt. Prospect Park District. In fact, 92 percent rated the district’s parks as clean, safe and accessible; 86 percent gave the district an overall approval rating; 80 percent gave the district top marks for customer service; and while 100 percent had spent time in one of its 31 parks, 71 percent had participated in a program or event over the past year.

Based on survey responses, park district staff and board members enumerated goals in four specific areas of operations and updated their mission and vision statements. Moving forward, district employees plan to improve efforts to manage first and last impressions; personalize each customer’s experience; provide exceptional parks and facilities; and diversify programming.

Financial stewardship will remain a priority as the district continues to maximize non-tax revenues; follow financial best practices; align resources with community needs; and define the district’s long-term capital vision. A positive work environment, organizational accountability and professional growth and development opportunities will encourage employees to remain with the district. Finally, district employees will maximize internal and external communication; standardize processes district-wide; use technology to maximize service; and inspire a culture of innovation for many years to come.

River Trails Park District

The River Trails Park District has been garnering lots of enthusiastic attention thanks, in part, to its Parkour gym, opened at “The Zone,” 550 Business Center Dr. in the Kensington Business Center in 2016. One of the few such park district dedicated gyms in the State of Illinois, it has become a major draw, attracting field trips from other park districts and athletic facilities, as well as local residents.

Parkour was developed in France during the late 1980s. It is a training discipline that uses movements that developed from military obstacle course training. It enhances self-confidence and critical thinking skills and is like a non-combative martial art.

The River Trails Parkour gym features both high and low obstacles, climbing walls, a 20-foot rope, rings, a 25-foot foam pit and even a 14-foot warp wall which you climb after running up a ramp and jumping, said Executive Director Bret Fahnstrom.

The Park District is also hosting exciting “ArrowTag” parties at “The Zone” for children and adults. ArrowTag is played like paint ball but instead of using paint, balloon-tipped arrows are used to target other participants. Demand for this exciting new game is burgeoning.

In August, River Trails also implemented the “Community Pass” registration software which allows area residents the ease of more efficiently registering for programming online, leaving office personnel more time for customer service, Fahnstrom said.

Recently, the district has also been re-accredited and has earned a number of new awards. They received a Best Program Award from the Illinois Parks and Recreation Association for the Parkour facility and programming and the Best Overall Event award for its Youth Obstacle Course event held last fall. In addition, Mitch MacTavish earned a Golden Guard Award for his lifeguarding skills.