Small Business Spotlight: Artist Painters
When Gene Pellegrene founded Artist Painters in 2008, he had a single goal in mind: to create beautiful spaces while also supporting the arts community of Chicago. The company calls upon artists in all creative fields to execute high-quality painting projects for homes and businesses, while paying them a generous wage to support their artistic endeavors during outside hours. And because the business has spent the past decade garnering a serious reputation for its work, Pellegrene is particular about the talent he acquires. “Painting houses is a pastime fill-in for a lot of people in creative fields, and in a large city like Chicago, I’ve been able to find artists who are also very proficient house painters,” he says. “They have to be qualified in both areas, or the concept doesn’t work.” And while the team’s talents can be spotted around town (they completed four murals and faux finishing for Lakeview’s Tuco & Blondie restaurant, for example, including the one below), the majority of their projects exist in residential work (see left). The best part? Pellegrene and his team leave parting gifts of customized artwork with each of their clients post-paint—a lasting reminder of the creativity each patron is fueling with his or her support. For more info, visit artistpainterschicago.com.
ORCHARDPALOOZA:
3 Perfect Picks Fall in the Midwest wouldn’t be complete without a family trip to pick apples and pumpkins. Ready to hit the road? Slip on a puffer vest, pile the kids into the backseat, and plug one of these three crowd-pleasers into the GPS. FOR INCREDIBLE DOUGHNUTS County Line Orchard, Hobart, IN Drive time: 1 hour Come here for the apples—there are 35,000 trees and 50 varieties across 50 acres—but stay for the hayrides, the pumpkins, and, of course, the doughnuts. In an average season the team makes up to one million of the fried favorites for their loyal fans—many of whom are wise enough to stock up every time they visit. countylineorchard.com
SELLER’S MARKET The pros at Redfin recently analyzed
80 real estate markets across the United States to compile a list of 25 neighborhoods that have it all: affordable homes, an easy commute, highly rated schools, and plenty of inventory. A whopping 13 of them are in the Chicago area, including Evanston, Oak Park, Wrigleyville, Edgewater, and Lincoln Square. Go Chi-town!
FOR AWESOME KIDS’ ACTIVITIES All Seasons Orchard, Woodstock, IL Drive time: 1 hour, 20 minutes This place will wear out your little ones with its array of farm-friendly activities (they’ve got everything from corn mazes and pumpkin bowling to a petting zoo and mini zip line). Those with particularly good aim can embrace the apple cannon, the official herald of autumn in these parts. allseasonsorchard.com FOR ALL-AMERICAN EATS Apple Holler Family Farm, Sturtevant, WI Drive time: 1 hour, 20 minutes This 70-acre orchard showcases 30,000 trees and more than 30 varieties of apples, ensuring a day well spent in scavenger mode. Be sure to carve out enough time for a stop at the restaurant, open seven days a week for comfort fare musts, from chicken pot pie to creamy mac-and-cheese. appleholler.com
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