A funny thing happened when this Positively Naperville editor was scrolling her e-mail inbox on Thursday. An e-mail subject listed as “IndieBound Naperville” attracted her attention more than others.
When opened, an economics major at North Central College had written, “I am not a business owner in Naperville, but I am a student at North Central and a supporter of Indie Bound! I was wondering if there was any way I could buy a sign? It would be cool and I’d like to show my support.”
As one of the founding members of IndieBound Naperville, PN seized the opportunity to meet up with Zac Pacanowski, a graduate of Plainfield North High School who will earn his degree from North Central College in 2014. Pacanowski said he had noticed the red signs all over town and wanted to know more about the promotion. He agreed for us to take a few photos with an IndieBound Naperville sign to help spread the word about local independent businesses, many of which display the bright red sign to help showcase their presence and passions throughout the entire community.
After we arrived at the corner of Jefferson and Main, we ventured south toward Dean’s Fine Clothing, now celebrating 55 years in business as the city’s oldest store for men and women’s clothing. During the 24-minute tour that followed, we took photos in Dean’s parking lot at the corner of Jackson and Main streets that led to several independent businesses in a row along Main Street, including Heaven on Seven and Liam Brex.
Next Pacanowski requested a photo in front of his favorite eatery, Quigley’s Irish Pub, located at 43 E. Jefferson. On the way, we noted two Naperville Trolleys traveling near the North Central College bookstore, reminders that Naperville Trolley and Tours also is an independent business member of IndieBound Naperville.
Pacanowski mentioned he currently is taking a class at North Central that took him on a walking tour to visit local enterprises and homes near the college. One of the stops was Kreger’s Brat and Sausage Haus at the corner of 605 N. Ellsworth, listed among the city’s oldest family-owned businesses and that’s where he noticed Kreger’s also is a member of IndieBound Naperville.
As it turned out, the class, “USS 300 – an Urban and Suburban Studies seminar” is taught by Judy Brodhead and the course comes with her subtitle, “Housing in Chicago and the Suburbs.”
When PN contacted Brodhead Friday afternoon, she added that one of the books the class read is Boomburbs, which talks about Naperville in a chapter of Suburban Nation, and the introduction to Sprawl.
“We did a walking tour yesterday to show the various decades of housing around the college … walked through Kroehler (now known as Fifth Avenue Station) and got invited into Fieldglass, the new IT company in Raffi’s former space,” said Brodhead. “Then we ran into Mr. (Bill) Kreger. Although Kreger’s was closed, he opened it for us. I wanted to show how these old neighborhoods had walkable grocery stores.”
Great mix throughout Naperville
Back in downtown Naperville, Pacanowski’s friend, Jackie Hill, a senior music education major, added that she liked independents such as Ootca and Lil J’s Bohemia, also located along Main Street.
The City of Naperville thrives, thanks to a dynamic mix of independent businesses along with popular national favorites located in downtown Naperville and throughout many destinations such as Naperville Plaza, CityGate Centre, Springbrook Crossings and Naperville Crossings.
No matter what city across the nation, every community benefits when its residents shop, dine and entertain locally. Local businesses create jobs close to home. Supporting a local business district means more money available to beautify the community. The more interesting and distinctive the shopping destinations, the more residents, new neighbors and visitors will be attracted to keep returning, boosting the local economy every time.
All local businesses and their employees are grateful when local residents put their dollars where their homes and hearts are.
In fact, Dan Casey, owner of Casey’s Foods in Naperville Plaza, provided an often-used quote that precisely sums up why it’s important to shop locally.
“Support your local businesses and you’ll always live in a nice community,” said Casey.
And remember to look for the bright red signs that designate members of IndieBound Naperville, a sampling of Naperville’s independent business community that is continually growing along with other local business development now in progress.
RELATED STORIES: PN Local Business
