PHOTO: Michael Metzger, Michael Metzger & Staff, Inc. - Events.org

Richard GrebRENDERING: John Kelly Architects; PHOTOS: Richard GrebCater to the big dogs in your life at The Velvet Snoot. Amy Weilandopened the shop mid-2006 with offerings for what she sees as an underservedmarket. Amy, who used to operate a local day care center for dogs,says she got the idea for a luxury pet boutique and website(www.TheVelvetSnoot.com) when hunting for stylish collars and beds forher two shar peis, MooShu and Ming, the inspiration for the business’name. “Many people specialize in small dogs,” she says, “but when it cameto a cute collar or toy for a larger dog, I couldn’t get anything.”While she originally intended the business for the internet, Amy sayssuppliers proved more responsive to a brick-and-mortar presence.“Manufacturers actually preferred retailers with a store front, so when thisspace became available, I decided to take it.” It’s located downstairs at TheMall, the multilevel shopping complex at 474 Central fronted by LasPalmas Mexican Restaurant. She gets solid walk-by business from peopleheading to Highland Park Shoe Repair at the back of The Mall’s lower level.While the store accommodates “everyone from Fifi to Fido,” it featuresupscale and unique pet beds, bowls, collars and leashes, as well as doggieapparel for larger animals. It carries Bobbi Panter shampoos andconditioners, all natural pet pampering products; Gund toys for dogs (andchildren); throws for dogs (or babies) and customized dog bedding (pickcolors or prints to match your home).The Velvet Snoot, Amy adds, believes in taking an active communityrole; the business works with The American Society for the Prevention ofCruelty to Animals and in dog rescue, and donates 25 percent of the profitson pink-colored merchandise to breast cancer research. Call 847-432-6000.A Highwood landmark ofalmost 60 years (inset) isundergoing a completeremodeling and expansion.The Alley (847-433-0304)opened as the Mary JaneLanes in 1949, offeringbowling and a bar on the first floor of its two-story building at 210 GreenBay Road. Now owned by Arnold Goldstein and son Steven, the renovatedAlley will still feature eight lanes of bowling on the first floor, but is addingan automatic scoring system, full kitchen, big screen television and isremodeling the bar. There will be a second bar with a stage and music—both disk jockey and live—on the second floor, a party room in thebasement and a rooftop beer garden.Work has already begun downstairs, and the new scoring system wasbeing installed during January. The major part of the renovation isscheduled for this summer, but is unlikely to drown out the noise ofongoing strikes and spares. The Alley of Highwood is open from 3 p.m. to1 a.m. weekdays, noon to 2 a.m. Saturdays and noon to 10 p.m. Sundays.Looking for art for a room? Have you thought about a mural? Paint Plus& More, a full-service painting company, has extended its services to offermurals, faux finishes and other decorative arts. It recently began workingwith artist Christian Zacarias, who studied at the School of the Art Instituteand Barat College. Zacarias’ work—for both residential and commercialspaces—includes a mural at the Art Institute. He has worked at schools inHighland Park and Waukegan, including assisting Hector Duarte in creatingthe mural in HPHS. He has painted decorative benches for Highwood anddoes a wide range of faux finishing, an increasingly popular art, he says.Paint Plus (847-902-9911) also does carpentry, drywall, wallpaperremoval, power washing, custom staining and deck refinishing, and providescolor and design consultation to enhance client’s custom décor needs.(continued on page 22)