Northfield Business Update

NORTHFIELD

BY JANE GOLDENBERG

Northfield may be small in size, but we’ve got tons of small-town charm with just enough big-city sophistication. A bustling crossroads in the center of the North Shore, we boast a bunch of popular restaurants and lovely boutiques that offer a one-of-a-kind shopping experience for everything from cakes to cars.

With us, people come first — exemplified by our highly efficient village government, which delivers top-notch services with a smile. The Village recently rolled out a Smart 911 system, which allows emergency responders to track mobile phone callers’ location and thereby improve responsiveness. And after months of community engagement, we will also soon have an up-to-date comprehensive plan to guide village planning for the next two decades.

Since incorporation in 1927, Northfield has capitalized on its fantastic location only 20 miles from the Loop and 25 minutes to O’Hare. The perfect place to live and work, longtime residents agree. And so do our businesses, as our consistent near-zero vacancy rate in our Village Center attests.

“Location, location, location,” says one local business owner. “Because of that, my business has attracted customers from Winnetka, Glenview, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Glencoe and Highland Park and Northfield, of course.”

We’re in the midst of a major new improvement in our Willow Road retail corridor with the addition of a new Northview Bank & Trust branch next to Dunkin’ and the extension of Alice Lane to Northfield Road, which will greatly improve traffic circulation in that important retail center.

Unlike most other towns our size, population 5,400, we enjoy not one but two of the highest-ranked school districts in the state, serving kindergarten through 8th grade, Sunset Ridge School District 29 and Avoca School District 37, plus New Trier High School, often mentioned as one of the best high schools in the country. Plus, we have a beautiful, new, energy-efficient Sunset Ridge School, certified LEED Platinum and the other school in the state with a ComEd “Net Zero” rating.

We emphasize green planning in our village policies as well. We have a great curbside composting program with Waste Management, and the Village is committed to sustainable stormwater strategies. We prioritize pedestrians and bicyclists, as well as auto safety and have completed Phase II of a study to extend the Skokie Valley Trail through Northfield. Other new improvements include the reconstruction of Northfield Road, and we’re working with Cook County on Phase II of a new, safer, more walkable Happ Road.

Northfield boasts one of the most luxe boutique public fitness centers in the area at the Northfield Community Center — drop in at the corner of Wagner and Willow. All Northfield residents have resident status, and nonresidents are welcome. Northfielders can buy beach passes from Winnetka at resident rates.

Our Village is most fortunate to have a wonderful group of engaged organizations, from our churches and synagogues to our social service groups, most famously the North Shore Senior Center, to serve the community.

As we like to say, “We’re like the bar in the television show ‘Cheers,’ where everybody knows your name.” While our meaning is metaphorical, Northfield literally has a couple of those bars! When you walk into one of our wonderful restaurants or bars, you’ll likely see a neighbor or friend, and you’ll know you’re home.

Article written by Jane Goldenberg for the Village of Northfield.

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