Homewood Area Community Guide - Pioneer Press Communities ...

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10 Homewood • Flossmoor • Glenwood Service-oriented businesses thrive in southern suburbs A region once known as an industrial zone, the Homewood-area has grown into a vibrant service-oriented marketplace that features a diverse mix of established locally owned businesses and numerous big-box retailers that have recently set up shop. by Megan McCann Special to Pioneer Press Photography by Mike MacDonald In recent years, economic development has grown immensely in Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood. Originally a region heavy in industry, it is now seeing an influx of national retail stores and restaurants joining the locally owned institutions, which have been the backbone of the villages’ economies for many years. Conveniently located near multiple interstates and with easy accessibility to Metra and Amtrak trains, geography makes this region attractive for commercial development. “Businesses stay in this area because the fine schools and park districts are a draw for employees,” explained Tom Tomaszewski, of Homewood Disposal, who is also president of the Homewood Area Chamber of Commerce. “It helps with employee satisfaction that they can live close to work and have good schools and parks, a good housing market, and shop locally.” The excellent municipal resources create a suitable business environment and draw customers to the area. “The towns are pristine,” said Steven Nemitz, owner of three local restaurants: the Fifth Quarter in Homewood, Northwoods at Coyote Run in Flossmoor, and Shannon’s Landing in Lansing. “The villages do a tremendous job maintaining infrastructure, which is important because if the area looks rundown, people don’t want to be here.” Recognizing that these qualities create a tremendous opportunity for economic growth in their towns, the villages of Homewood, Flossmoor and Glenwood have all worked with the business community to promote substantial commercial development in the recent years. Homewood In the past ten years, Homewood has experienced a surge in national retailers opening stores in the community, particularly in the Halsted Street Corridor. Until recently, Halsted Street was distinguished by empty storefronts and aging structures. “When I started 11 years ago, I was told that no national chain would ever come to Homewood because residents would not shop there,” said Bill Ernat, Homewood’s community development director. The area is now home to Target, Best Buy, Chili’s, PETCO, T.J. Maxx and many other chain retailers and restaurants. The village’s elected officials and staff attracted national chains to Homewood by attending the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC) trade shows. “Village representatives have built a reputation as a community willing to work with businesses,” Ernat said. The village’s eagerness to assist his company made Homewood an obvious choice when Tom Best wanted to move Lighting Distributors from Dolton. “The village worked with us to provide incentives that allowed us to offset the burdensome property taxes and remain in Cook County,” Best explained. “The business climate is very friendly.” Flossmoor Flossmoor’s economy has thrived in the recent years with an influx of both residential and commercial development. In 2005, Flossmoor established a business improvement district adjacent to the village’s downtown shopping area. This space will be home to Flossmoor Square, a mixed residential and commercial development. The village has pledged both public and semiprivate improvements to the area. “[These improvements] will enhance the project and insure that its development is a natural extension of the village’s central business district,” said Bridget Wachtel, Flossmoor’s village manager. Flossmoor’s demographics are a major factor in attracting commercial development. “The village enjoys some of the highest incomes, education and home ownership rates in the Chicago metro area,” Wachtel said. “Flossmoor residents expect high-quality products and services.” Homewood Area Community Guide 2008-2010
Businesses are drawn to Flossmoor because its residents desire a high quality of life and outstanding community involvement. “The residents are committed to the economic growth and prosperity of their community,” said Brenda Ruckes, assistant vice president bank manager for the Harris Bank branches in Flossmoor and Homewood. “They actively participate in making their community a welcoming place to live and to do business.” Glenwood Commercial growth in Glenwood began expanding in recent years with new developments in the town’s central business district and the continued expansion along Halsted Street. Jeanne Maggio, Glenwood’s Mayor, believes the town’s undeveloped land in lucrative areas is a major enticement for businesses that are looking to establish in major retail areas. Homewood • Flossmoor • Glenwood “Glenwood is one of the last places where you can develop and still be on Halsted Street,” Maggio explained. Recently, the corner of Halsted Street and Holbrook Road in Glenwood has experienced a surge in commercial development. “Wal-Mart has been a tremendous shot in the arm for Glenwood,” said Maggio. “There has been a great deal of development on Halsted near the store.” The village and the company are currently discussing expanding the Glenwood store into a Super Wal-Mart. Until recently, Maggio said Glenwood has relied almost entirely on its many long-term locally owned businesses; many attribute their longevity and success to the village’s support. “The village has been very giving and cooperative when we have had special needs,” said Tim Donohoe, general manager of Glenwood Oaks, specifically citing Glenwood’s willingness to assist in traffic control during special events. Ingalls facility celebrates its second anniversary by Lauren Smaron Special to Pioneer Press Nationally recognized for superior outpatient care and clinical excellence, the Ingalls Health System introduced its latest edition to the south side with a state-of-the-art facility in October 2005. The Ingalls Family Care Center is an 80,000square-foot comprehensive outpatient facility. The center, located in Flossmoor, strengthens Ingalls’s presence on the south side alongside Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey and outpatient facilities in Calumet City and Tinley Park. “We just celebrated our two year anniversary, and the center has been very well-received over that period,” said Susan Fine, Director of Marketing for Ingalls. “It’s not only a beautiful facility, but patient and visitor feedback reports have been especially gratifying.” Flossmoor’s Family Care Center specifically focuses on orthopedics and neurosciences with a wide range of diagnostic treatment services. Other services available at the facility include centers for sleep studies, pain management, joint care, sports medicine and diabetes management. “I think the things that set this facility apart are the comprehensive diagnostics and higher level of technology available,” Fine said. “This is a comprehensive outpatient campus with an array of advanced technology not usually seen in outpatient facilities, such as MRI and CT machines.” The most notable and popular feature of the Family Care Center is the Ingalls Urgent Aid. This extension of the Ingalls Emergency Department, the only one of its kind in the immediate area, operates within a fully equipped emergency room designed specifically for minor emergency care. Urgent Aid, effective for all non-life-threatening illness or injury, decreases patients’ wait time because they are not waiting behind those with serious injuries. Similar to the Tinley Park and Calumet City programs, Urgent Aid is open 24 hours, seven days a week. The highly trained and carefully selected staff also continues to set this facility apart. The second floor of the facility contains 30,000 square feet of custom-designed office space specifically for private physicians in a variety of specialties. “The diverse concentrations of the physicians make the care truly outstanding at this facility,” Fine said. “Everyone, including the physicians, administrative staff and receptionists, add a warmth of navigation, making the experience as pleasant as possible.” The Ingalls Family Care Center is located at 19550 Governors Highway, Flossmoor, IL, 60422. For more information, call (708) 799-8400. Homewood Area Community Guide 2008-2010 11
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Page 19 and 20: CITIZENS FINANCIAL BANK Debbie Luci
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Homewood Area Community Guide - Pioneer Press Communities ...

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