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New signs for these times, Part 2: ‘Help wanted’ signs indicate ‘long COVID’ for restaurants

August 24, 2021

Restaurants were “the first casualties of the pandemic” said Krista Coltrin, Woodstock’s Economic Development coordinator. Beginning March 21, 2020, Illinois restaurants were closed to indoor dining by state order. When McHenry County restaurants were permitted to reopen on Jan. 26, it was at 25 percent capacity. “We lost 70 percent of our revenue overnight,” BBQ […]

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New signs for these times: ‘Space available,’ ‘now hiring’ reflect post-pandemic business climate

August 17, 2021

If you take a walk or drive around the Woodstock Square, your eye can’t help but be drawn to two fire-engine red banners – one in each of two vacant storefronts. The banners, the work of Real Woodstock, are meant to prod along economic investment in the city. The sign at 105 Van Buren St. […]

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Woodstock’s Woo Jr. sold to Miami company

August 17, 2021

Miami-based Mango Publishing Group has announced the acquisition of Woo Jr. Kids Activities of Woodstock, a publisher of educational activity books. The acquisition includes Woo! Jr.’s backlist of 19 titles that have sold more than 400,000 copies, according to a news release, and will become part of Mango’s growing children’s imprint, DragonFruit. Wendy Piersall, CEO […]

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Be their guest (at your event): Woodstock’s Ashley, Chris Marulli debut Bespoke Special Event Lounge

August 12, 2021

“Mom’s in planner mode!” That’s the exclamation from Ashley and Chris Marulli’s boys – Carson, age 10; Rowan, age 7; and Huckson, age 4 – when their mother is knee-deep in the details of a wedding or party. Attending to the details comes with Ashley’s job as venue manager and lead wedding coordinator at Smith’s […]

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They have liquor license, want gambling permit, still not open

August 10, 2021

Just a week after deciding to lift the cap of 25 video gambling licenses in Woodstock, the City Council started the process of pushing it to 27. In a 7-0 vote last week, council members increased the cap to 27 to allow applications from Lucky Café, 460 S. Eastwood Drive, and Mariscos El Poka, 84-88 […]

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What this country needs …: Woodstock manufacturer promotes ‘the best straws in the world’

August 3, 2021

Woodrow Wilson’s vice president, Thomas Riley Marshall, might have believed that “What this country needs is a really good five-cent cigar,” but Guy Spinelli would prefer that the country get a decent paper straw. Spinelli’s company, Guy’s E. Paper at 1150 McConnell Road, has manufactured and distributed specialty papers to small and mid-sized businesses since […]

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Wonder of the Wonder Lake market: Average price for homes jumps 17 percent

July 27, 2021

In the second half of June, Kim Keefe served as the agent for four home sales in Wonder Lake. The three transactions in which the agent with Keefe Real Estate in Woodstock represented the buyers were all multiple-offer situations, Keefe said. The homes sold for 4 percent to 7 percent above asking price, commanding $6,000, […]

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Council sees ‘concept’ for development with hotel, apartments, restaurants

July 27, 2021

It was only a conceptual plan. For a possible development. And it was merely a preliminary review. “We’re not approving a final plan,” Mayor Mike Turner said during last week’s City Council meeting. “We’re not approving materials. We’re not approving specifics of this. We’re not approving anything, for that matter.” The mayor was trying to […]

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Hotel part of concept for development on Woodstock’s east side

July 23, 2021

Woodstock could have a site plan in 30 to 60 days for an eastside development that would include a hotel, two drive-thru restaurants, and 150 apartments in two buildings. REV Development LLS, an owner, developer, and operator of hospitality properties, has proposed the 1525 Project, a name that reflects the address of the development at […]

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50-year family connection: Refurbished Chop Suey Hut celebrates anniversary in Woodstock

July 20, 2021

When Chop Suey Hut’s dining room reopened in mid-June, co-owner Esther Theofanous said her biggest satisfaction was “being able to see everyone’s smiling faces.” After the stay-at-home order took effect on March 21, 2020, the restaurant’s business evolved from half dine-in/half takeout to 100 percent curbside pick-up. Taking advantage of the closed dining room, Esther […]

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Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.

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