For the past few weeks, next to Read Between the Lynes bookstore, a banner with a small, cute cartoon girl with big eyes and purple hair has been seen at 109 E. Van Buren St. offering Anime & Things. This is either very exciting for many people or very confusing for those who have asked […]
When Paradox Squared opens in a few weeks at 231 Main St., next to Unique Nails, the escape room fad will land just off the Woodstock Square. This is a new venture for owner Jim Hurless, whose background is in computer programming, construction and working in a retail hardware and home improvement store. For the […]
Less than seven years after Sara Miller and Mary Ervin began selling handmade chocolates out of a small storefront next to Woodstock Classic Cinemas, Ethereal Confections has outgrown its second location on Benton Street. Co-owners Miller and Ervin, along with Ervin’s brother Michael, will relocate their business when they lease former Elks Lodge on the […]
All-powerful tech corporations, automation displacing the working class and culture changing by the hour through the internet is the philosophy behind Crisiswear Clothing, 222 Main St., which is selling clothing to match. Founded the year “The Matrix” came out, Crisiswear has been a long-standing part of Chicago’s fashion scene. Matt Deponte (aka Flux), founder and […]
Woodstock residents have a new place to turn to for their computer and smartphone needs. The Mac Station, 100 N. Benton St., opened its doors Dec. 6, repairing phones, tablets and computers as well as selling computers. “We saw Woodstock as a great business opportunity and wanted to serve a need in the community,” said […]
Classic Christmas movies, a television staple for decades, have a renewed life in movie theaters across the country. Showings of iconic Christmas movies, from 1946’s “It’s a Wonderful Life” to the more recent “Elf,” please fans old and new while serving as marketing tools for the theaters. “Elf,” played at Classic Cinemas Woodstock Theatre when […]
For 36 years, Copy Express has offered free calendars with a local flair to the Woodstock community. Owners Jim and Vicki O’Leary recently announced the publication of the company’s 2018 wall calendar featuring local scenes by photo-hobbyist Gay Belcher. “It’s a signature thing for us,” said O’Leary, who has run Copy Express in Woodstock since […]
An independent grocery store is under new management after a Woodstock man purchased the business. Armando Escutia bought Shop Fresh Market, 330 N. Eastwood Drive, in early September, less than a year and a half after the grocery store opened in May 2016. Before that, the space housed Wisted’s Supermarket. “We knew it was […]
Woodstock’s Ania Gifford had encountered a common problem in the kitchen so often she just knew it needed a solution. When she couldn’t find the answer anywhere, she decided to solve it herself. Gifford is the inventor of the Egg Stripper, a handheld device which peels hardboiled eggs. The product recently was featured on the […]
Larry Lough is editor of The Independent and reports local news.
Janet Dovidio has been a freelance correspondent for The Independent for eight years.
Susan W. Murray wrote for The Independent, covering various beats, from 2005 to 2008.
Tricia Carzoli is a freelance writer and photographer that on community news.
