The leadership of Palatine constantly works to stay relevant and to offer its residents and those of nearby communities a plethora of services and opportunities to shop, be employed, entertain themselves, enjoy nature and recreational activities, and educate themselves and their children.

So it is not surprising that a number of new businesses and facilities have opened or relocated within Palatine over the past year, according to Deputy Village Manager Mike Jacobs.

For instance, Studio41 Home Design Showroom plans to open at the former site of AC Imports Jaguar on Northwest Highway. Studio41 showrooms are open to homeowners, contractors, designers and architects, whether they are buying a single item or for a whole house. They provide products for kitchens, baths, windows and doors.

They also have showrooms in Glenview, Highland Park, Schaumburg, Naperville and Chicago and are expected to open in Palatine in early 2019.

Portofino’s Woodfire Pizza and Pasta opened in June at 383 W. Northwest Hwy. on the former site of El Torero. The family-owned establishment is open for both lunch and dinner, Monday through Friday, and starting at 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

A sizeable portion of the old Hobby Lobby space at Palatine Plaza on Northwest Highway will soon be occupied by a new doggie day care facility with lots of room for canine play. Pete and Mac’s is expected to open this fall.

Along Rand Road, north of Dundee Road, the venerable old Knupper’s Nursery and adjacent village-owned property which once housed a Menard’s store are part of a proposed development by the Napleton Auto Group. They will construct a Subaru-Mazda dealership on the 14-acre parcel, relocating and expanding from farther south along Rand Road in Arlington Heights. Construction is expected to begin in spring 2019.

A bit farther south, just east of the corner of Dundee and Rand Roads, on the site of a long-demolished Speedway gas station, a second three-building complex is expected to be constructed in late 2018 or early 2019. The new buildings will closely resemble those in an adjacent sister project immediately to the west featuring Panera, Mattress Firm and Verizon. Palatine Bank & Trust is expected to occupy one of the new buildings with the other two still available, Jacobs said.

In downtown Palatine, Pan American Bank & Trust has opened its new facility in the old Smith Street Station space adjacent to Durty Nellie’s. It has a single drive-through lane for the convenience of its customers.

In the industrial area south of Northwest Highway along Route 53, H.B. Fuller, experts in industrial adhesives, coatings, sealants and specialty materials, has relocated out of the village. Its 15- to 20-acre parcel is being marketed as a possible site for the construction of a modern distribution center or another manufacturing facility.

To the west, near Harper College, Regency Plaza at the intersection of Euclid and Quentin Roads has filled a portion of the former Dominick’s site with a Crunch Fitness.

Finally, Harper College has recently transformed its 39-year-old Wellness and Sports Center in Building M into a community health and recreation center in partnership with the Palatine Park District and Northwest Community Healthcare. They dedicated the $39 million renovation in September.

The park district contributed $9 million toward the renovation and going forward they will pay a share of the building’s operating costs; operate the indoor pool; and provide adult fitness and recreation programs. In addition, Northwest Community Healthcare will lease 10,000 square feet of the space to provide health care services to students, staff and the community.

“At the end of the day, what we have created together is something we never could have done by ourselves. We’re showing our educational community and the taxpayers what the future of public institutions looks like, not only in this District and State, but across the country,” said Harper College President Dr. Ken Ender.

Allied Air Conditioning & Heating corp.

Palatine-based Allied Air Conditioning & Heating Corp., which also has an office in Libertyville, is the only Illinois Carrier dealer to win the Carrier President’s Award for 10 consecutive years. Allied has been a Carrier dealer for over 40 years.

Founded in 1969 by Greg Budinger and Brent Bauer, who met while working for Parker Hannifin, a Chicago controls manufacturer, Allied grew steadily throughout the 1970s and 1980s, acquiring a Libertyville-based competitor during the 1980s in order to expand their reach.

Today Allied’s Palatine office is led by Greg’s son, Kevin Budinger, a graduate of Northern Illinois University. He has been involved in the business since 1992. From the Palatine and Libertyville offices, Allied’s 54 employees service residential and light commercial customers’ air conditioners, furnaces and boilers from the Wisconsin border to Naperville. They also install furnaces and air conditioners in new construction.

“What sets us apart from our competition is our product knowledge, experience, commitment to customer service and our ethical behavior,” Kevin said. “Most of our employees have been with us more than 10 years.”

The business motto “‘Treating your home as part of our family since 1969’ is our commitment and promise to our customers,” Kevin said. “By treating customers with honesty and respect, our goal is to be the company about which our customers want to tell friends and neighbors.”

ProMark Planners

Eric Marzinke and his father, Walter, opened ProMark Planners, a financial planning advisory business, in Palatine shortly after the turn of the millennium (July, 2000) and it has been growing like gangbusters ever since.

“We have been helping individuals, families and small business owners from all over the Chicagoland area invest and plan to the future for 18 years,” Marzinke said.

The elder Marzinke, an immigrant from Germany, worked as a district manager for AXA Equitable Life Insurance during the 1990s before going into the financial planning business with his son. He passed away in 2016.

“We have always encouraged prospective customers to stop in and see how we do business – at no charge. We aim to be a part of the team that helps them steer their ship and reach their goals, and to accomplish that we take a holistic planning approach,” he said.

“We work with them to plan their retirement by using investment tools and strategies that will protect what they have already earned and further build it up as time goes on,” Marzinke said. “To accomplish this we like to meet personally with our approximately 250 clients a couple of times each year and we tell them to call us anytime they have a question or concern.”

The advice they offer depends on the stage of life of the client and how comfortable they are with the various financial markets. Those in their early 30s can handle a little more risk than those in their 60s who should be protecting their assets with a more balanced portfolio consisting of both stocks and bonds, he noted.

“Each client has a different appetite for risk, but some exposure to equities is good for everyone,” Marzinke added. “It is a good way for people to keep in front of inflation. We actively work to help our clients capture lost opportunities.”

But what makes ProMark Planners unique, according to Marzinke, is the fact that they actively work to talk to clients on their unique level of understanding – not over their heads. “I try to paint my clients pictures and tell them stories in order to make clear the concepts I am explaining.”

Marzinke is joined in the office by his wife, Karen, and his assistant, Terry Ihm.

City Limits Harley Davidson

Perched on the edge of high population suburban areas, close to the Lake County line, City Limits Harley Davidson at 2015 N. Rand Rd. in Palatine has found the perfect place for their motorcycle dealership.

Thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts find their way to City Limits every day to purchase or rent a Harley Davidson motorcycle; to purchase Harley Davidson clothing and giftware; to learn to ride safely; to participate in a cross-country group tour; or even to store their motorcycles during the cold and snowy months.

City Limits is part of the 18-dealership Windy City Motorcycle Company and the affiliated Milwaukee Motorcycle Company.

“This is a great location. It is close to the city, but if you go just a couple of miles north or west, you are in the country where you can really enjoy riding,” said Rob McIlrath, general manager. “We do lots of rentals to people who don’t have enough free time to justify owning a bike, but want to get out and enjoy riding occasionally.”

Palatine has been home to a Harley Davidson dealership for about 30 years. Originally known as Suburban Harley-Davidson, it was sold 11 years ago and then moved to the current state-of-the-art facility seven years ago. It draws scores of customers from the surrounding communities, as well as from Palatine itself.

“We always have about 200 motorcycles in stock, but through our other dealerships we have access to 2,000 motorcycles at any given time,” McIlrath said.

City Limits sells not only motorcycles, but also parts, after-market items and accessories and riding gear. They also service motorcycles and teach new and prospective owners how to ride correctly. In fact, new owners are generally able to earn their motorcycle license within one week.

“Harley Davidson is very much a lifestyle – a brotherhood and sisterhood,” he said, “and we work hard to cater to people who enjoy the Harley Davidson way of life.”

Long-distance trips are often part of the overall cycling experience, so City Limits plans trips along Route 66, all the way to Santa Barbara, California, around Lake Michigan or even to the massive motorcycle rally held each summer in South Dakota. “Many from Europe even travel here and rent one of our motorcycles to tour the United States,” McIlrath said.

Those who choose to store their motorcycles out of the weather at City Limits during the winter pay a $300 storage fee for the season. In fact, the dealership annually stores over 700 motorcycles, McIlrath said. “But those who spend money on parts, clothing and service during the winter can earn credits on their winter storage, potentially getting that storage free.”

City Limits is active in the Palatine business community through its membership in the Chamber and by having a presence at community events like the Fourth of July festival.

Longtime Palatine resident turned passion for photography into thriving business

In 2018, the Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and the Palatine community experienced a great loss with the passing of Bob Kramer. Kramer Photographers had been a Chamber member since 1987, and Bob, its founder, had served on the board of directors the past three years.

“We will miss Bob’s smile and always positive outlook at our meetings and committees,” Chamber Executive Director Steven Gaus noted. “And we will miss his friendship.”

Kramer grew his passion for photography into a thriving business that has truly stood the test of time. For nearly 40 years, Kramer Photographers have been creating photographic keepsakes in downtown Palatine.

The formative years

As a high school student in the late 1960s, Kramer was drawn to photography far before founding his business in Palatine in 1979. He started snapping pictures (free of charge) for the Loyola University Ramblers basketball team, cross country and swim teams, simply because he enjoyed it. His father worked at the university as an accountant.

Kramer went on to attend Loyola, where he had his first paid job at the Hall of Fame Dinner. He worked the room to ensure he got all the best shots for the yearbook, and when he presented the bill for his services, the athletic director’s response was, “We can’t pay these prices!”

Instead, the athletic director insisted the university triple Kramer’s payment, because he was so happy with the final product. Kramer then realized it might be possible to make a living with photography.

Though he had realized his passion, there were no photography courses at the university. He found a film study class, and although it was full, he persuaded the instructor to squeeze him in.

“He put me to the test; I actually ended up teaching portions of the class throughout the semester,” Kramer said. “When you’re passionate about something, things just seem to come easier.”

A first and second career

Although his desire was to make photography a career, by the time he graduated from college, Kramer was married with a young son and another child on the way. He received a degree in accounting just like his father, but after his first job as an accountant, he realized the career just wasn’t for him.

He was then hired by the Chicago Fire Department as the assistant director for public relations through a federal grant. He was living in Chicago, but moved to Palatine when one of his sons was diagnosed with encephalitis and needed special education classes. He said Palatine was then known for strong schools, and exceptional special education programs.

Kramer never forgot his passion, though, and photographed weddings on weekends while continuing to work his day job. When the federal grant ran out, residency requirements (to live in the city of Chicago) were established. Kramer chose to remain in Palatine due to his son’s special needs.

It was at this time that he hit the proverbial fork in the road in regard to his career. The year was 1979.

Kramer started working out of his house, and then in 1980, he rented a space at 160 N. Northwest Hwy. (currently Casey’s Automotive) until five years later when he bought a building at 17 E. Palatine Rd. near Plum Grove Road.

Business began to boom, and after several years and hiring a dozen or so employees, Kramer Photographers outgrew the space and moved to its present location in 1993, the former Hanson’s True Value, at 101 W. Palatine Rd. The more than 10,000-square-foot space is at the southwest corner of Palatine Road and Brockway Street in downtown Palatine.

Over the years, Kramer was also chosen to teach at the prestigious School of Professional Photography, more than any photographer in the country.

A familiar name from the past

Apparently, there was more than one Kramer photographer in Palatine over the last 150 years. In early 2000, a customer brought in an old photo for retouching and copies, and the corner of the photo was marked with “Kramer from Palatine, Illinois.”

The original photograph was obtained by [Bob] Kramer, which was from the late 1880s, and was indeed, from another professional photographer by the name of Kramer who operated in Palatine more than a century ago. The Professional Photographers of America had this man with the last name of Kramer listed as a member of the organization since 1907, while Bob Kramer has been a member since 1970. A somewhat strange, but interesting coincidence.

Reflecting over the years

Kramer observed that technology has changed the photography industry dramatically. The majority of his early jobs consisted of weddings – with more than 6,000 shot during the span of the business. Now, the business is primarily focused on children, family and individual portraits, in addition to weddings and small commercial photography jobs.

What makes the service so specialized, is the extensive use of
lighting, the variety of posing and an ample supply of props from the late 1800s to today, which help to set the stage and the feeling of the portraits, Kramer said.

He added that creating a relationship with the people they are photographing, in part through a pre-portrait consultation, helps his team to truly understand what their clients are looking for in the end result.

“We help them design a special portrait that is unique to their specific needs,” Kramer said.

“Many times, the pictures we take are of a milestone time or event for a family; when babies are born, weddings, anniversaries, loved ones who are getting older or are sick,” Kramer said. “We provide a fun and upbeat experience, and an opportunity to capture a moment in time for families to cherish for generations.”

Content courtesy of Palatine Patch & Vicarious Productions

Young Entrepreneurs Academy ignites spirit of entrepreneurship & spurs economic growth he Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and Community Consolidated School District 15, are pleased to offer the Young Entrepreneurs Academy, known as YEA!, for its third year to transform middle students into business owners as part of a weekly entrepreneurship education class beginning this fall.

YEA! is a cutting-edge program that guides students ages 11 to 14, or middle school students, through the process of starting and launching a real business or social movement over the course of an academic year. By the end of the class, students own and operate fully-formed and functioning businesses, which may be carried on after their graduation from the program.

“The Young Entrepreneurs Academy helps the PACC to fulfill its goal of supporting small business development in our community by training our future leaders and helping them to establish strong, lasting relationships with their hometown business community,” said Chamber Executive Director Steven Gaus. “We are thrilled to have graduated 34 students who launched 30 businesses since we’ve launched the program. We’re also thrilled to have engaged 42 local business leaders who have served as mentors, instructors and guides as a means of giving back to our community.”

“YEA! offers a unique model that helps bridge the business and academic communities together, while creating meaningful ties to the area for students,” said YEA! Founder and CEO Gayle Jagel. “We are excited that YEA! will continue to make its mark in the Palatine community.”

The program currently operates in more than 100 communities all over the U.S., with the goal of expanding to chambers of commerce, colleges, universities, and school districts in every community across the country.

“YEA! aims to teach students at an early age how to make a job, not just take a job,” Jagel added. “At a time when small business growth is declining in the U.S., young entrepreneurs with the right training can become a powerful force of innovative thinkers and even employers.”

During the 30-week commitment, students brainstorm and form their business ideas, make pitches to investors for startup funding, file their DBAs and launch their own businesses or social movements. Mentors and local entrepreneurs across a variety of industries, such as graphic design, web development, law, accounting, retail, manufacturing and technology, are invited to support the students throughout the hands-on curriculum as mentors, field trip hosts or guest lecturers.

“One of the interesting components of YEA! is the behind-the-scenes knowledge that local business leaders are able to share with students. Community support strengthens the program, and the Academy strengthens the community,” Gaus said. “The students also gain skills that they can apply to any field they choose to enter, and will have the foundation to become future leaders of their industries.”

YEA! was developed in 2004 at the University of Rochester in Rochester, NY, with support from the Kauffman Foundation. YEA! now receives support from the United States Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Sam’s Club.

YEA! classes are run by Palatine Area Chamber of Commerce and hosted at Winston Campus in Palatine from October 15 to May 15.

For additional information, visit yeausa.org, contact Steven Gaus at sgaus@palatinechamber.com or call (847) 359-7200.

Schools in Palatine Illinois

ADMINISTRATION

Community Consolidated District 15
(847) 963-3000

G.A. McElroy Administration Center
High School District 211
(847) 755-6600

Announcement Line
(847) 755-6635

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Jane Addams School
(847) 963-5000

Central Road School
(847) 963-5100

John G. Conyers Learning Academy
(847) 963-3400

Kimball Hill School
(847) 963-5200

Hunting Ridge School
(847) 963-5300

Thomas Jefferson School
(847) 963-5400

Marion Jordan School
(847) 963-5500

Lake Louise School
(847) 963-5600

Lincoln School
(847) 963-5700

Stuart R. Paddock School
(847) 963-5800

Pleasant Hill School
(847) 963-5900

Gray M. Sanborn School
(847) 963-7000

Virginia Lake School
(847) 963-7100

Frank C. Whiteley School
(847) 963-7200

Willow Bend School
(847) 963-7300

Winston Campus
(847) 963-7500

JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOLS

Plum Grove Jr. High
(847) 963-7600

Carl Sandburg Jr. High
(847) 963-7800

Walter R. Sundling Jr. High
(847) 963-3700

Winston Campus
(847) 963-7400

HIGH SCHOOLS

Palatine High School
(847) 755-1600

William Fremd High School
(847) 755-2600

ALTERNATIVE HIGH SCHOOL

District 211 Academy – North
(847) 775-6700

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS

Immanuel Lutheran
(847) 359-1936

St. Theresa (Catholic)
(847) 359-1820

St. Thomas of Villanova (Catholic)
(847) 358-2110

Holy Family Academy (Catholic)
(847) 907-3452

PRIVATE SCHOOLS

Quest Academy
(847) 202-8035

HIGHER EDUCATION

Harper College
(847) 925-6000

A trusted destination of knowledge and entertainment for many generations, Palatine Public Library District is honored to serve you, provide access to essential materials and support local organizations and businesses.

Beyond the traditional offerings, the library provides numerous opportunities for community connections, learning something new and partnering with local groups and organizations.

Some recent highlights:

• Teaming up with schools to prepare students for life with engaging classroom visits, STEM activities, and connecting them to library services.
• Helping cardholders create, design and edit film and audio projects with professional equipment in our Digital Media Center.
• Updating our safe, welcoming spaces for private study or group meetings to pursue shared interests and hobbies.
• Launching StoryWalk Project with local partners at Hamilton Reservoir to promote literacy and outdoor activities.
• Raising money for local charities like Journeys The Road Home and Little City, through reading challenges that encourage life-long love of reading.

If you haven’t visited the library in a while, come and enjoy all Palatine Library has to offer.

The library has served as an essential part of the community for over 90 years and has been a Chamber member since 1982.

Palatine Public Library District
Main Library
700 N. North Ct.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 358-5881
www.palatinelibrary.org

Alley 64 Bar & Grill
2001 N. Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 934-6408
www.alley64palatine.com

Café Fourteen
300 N. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 705-6330
www.cafe14palatine.com

Chicago Culinary Kitchen
773 N. Quentin Rd.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 305-0055
www.chicagoculinarykitchen.com
Monthly classes: BBQ & Craft Beer Experience

Covered Bridge Creamery
320 Old McHenry Rd.
Long Grove, IL 60047
(847) 383-5353
www.coveredbridgecreamery.com

Culver’s of Palatine
1765 N. Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 705-6666
www.culvers.com

Durty Nellie’s
180 N. Smith St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 358-9150
www.durtynellies.com
Annual Beer Fest in May: Craft beer tasting with live bands

El Rey del Pollo Asado
1114 E. Dundee Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 701-8509
www.elreydelpolloasado.com

Emmett’s Brewing Co.
110 N. Brockway St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-1533
www.emmettsbrewingco.com
Brewmaster Dinner Series: Prix fixe menu paired with craft brewery

Fox and Hound
910 W. Dundee Rd.
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
(847) 590-9019
www.foxandhound.com

Lamplighter Inn Tavern & Grille
60 N. Bothwell St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 991-2420
www.lamplighters.com
Annual Halloween Party: Drink specials, cash costume contest

Los Takitos Taco Shop
809 N. Quentin Rd.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 485-8351
www.lostakitostacoshop.com

Monica’s European Deli
309 E. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 934-7469
www.monicasdeli.com

Morkes Chocolates
1890 N. Rand Rd.
Palatine, IL 60074
(847) 359-3454
www.morkeschocolates.com
The Sweet Ride: Annual bicycle ride tour in September with chocolate tastings throughout Palatine

My Flavor It! Place
117 W. Slade St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(224) 484-0423
www.myflavoritplace.com

Nothing Bundt Cakes – Kildeer
20413 N. Rand Rd.
Kildeer, IL 60074
(847) 404-4319
www.nothingbundtcakes.com

Photo’s Hot Dogs
301 N. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 705-1111
www.photoshotdogs.com

Pizza Bella
100 W. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 359-2700
www.pizzabellapizza.com

Portofino’s Woodfire Pizza & Pasta
383 W. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 358-2360
https://portofinos.pizza

Red Apple Pancake House
2121 Plum Grove Rd.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 925-8048
www.redappleofpalatine.com

Signature Popcorn
318 Old McHenry Rd.
Long Grove, IL 60047
(847) 821-9101
www.signaturepopcorn.com

Spunky Dunkers Donuts
20 S. Northwest Hwy.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 358-7935
www.spunkydunkersdonuts.com

Tap House Grill
56 W. Wilson St.
Palatine, IL 60067
(847) 934-3000
www.taphousegrills.com
Annual St Patrick’s Kegs & Eggs event in March: Live music; post-parade headquarters

Plum Creek Supportive Living

Plum Creek Supportive Living is a 102-unit affordable living facility for senior residents age 65 and older. The facility offers 77 single occupancy and 25 double occupancy apartments. Amenities include all utilities paid except phone, cable TV and Wi-Fi, emergency response systems in each unit and walk-in showers.

Plum Creek provides a comprehensive array of housing, personal and health-related supportive services to its senior residents who need help with activities of daily living. Services include nursing services, assistance with personal care, meal preparation (three meals are prepared and served on site daily), housekeeping/laundry services and social and recreational programming.

Solstice Senior Living at Palatine

Chef-prepared meals, fun activities and free local transportation help seniors maintain a long, healthy lifestyle at Solstice Senior Living at Palatine. Enjoy the game room, art room, card room, fireplace lounge, solarium and rooftop outdoor deck. All utilities are included, and cable TV is part of the package. Residents can maintain independent living even as their care needs change by taking advantage of the home health partners.

Call (847) 991-4700 to schedule a tour, visit Solstice Senior Living at 55 S. Greely St., Palatine, or online at www.solsticeseniorlivingpalatine.com.

The Grand at Twin Lakes

A resort-style senior living community that is ideal for seniors by redefining retirement. The Grand at Twin Lakes offers luxurious accommodations, unmatched amenities, flexible dining options and amazing leisure activities. The community offers flexible care options for the residents to gracefully age in place with dignity.