KCR_Oswego Chamber Newsletter 051919

NEWSLETTER

CHAMBER BUSINESS EXPO Oswego Chamber Business Expo recap

u Spring 2019 u

Business & Industry United For A Better Community

WHAT’S INSIDE:

COMING UP Interns, Job Shadows

NOW OPEN

Check out some new businesses around Oswego.

B

entley’s Pet Stuff has participated in the Oswego AreaChamber of Commerce Hometown Expo for the past several years, recognizing that it’s a huge day to make connections within the community.

This year was no different.

HOW WE HELP What the Chamber can do for you.

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“It’s always a busy event and it makes such a huge impact in the community, both for residents and business owners, some who are there with a booth providing information about their business,” said Michaelene Majestic, event coordinator for Bentley’s Pet Stuff. “There’s a lot of networking in the u Continued on page 2

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community and you can get some great business referrals from the event itself and the residents get a lot out of it for sure.”

Pouring rain might have kept a few away this year, which featured a record 104 exhibitor booths.

“The weather kept attendance down a little bit, but the businesses were happy to have the chance to talk to a lot of people,” said Angie Hibben, president/CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce. “We added electronic recycling outside which was big for us and will be back next year.”

The Expo offered family activities throughout the day, including an art show.

“The art show was huge and featured art from local students

Ed Hettinger Owner

Matt Hettinger Sales

and we had a lot more adult entries this year,” Hibben said.

“That’s always a big thing for us.”

The event most definitely lived up to its theme of “Connect with your Community,” a reflection of membership in the chamber providing that special connection between the area’s business community and the Village as a whole.

“People are happy that the event is in February because it doesn’t conflict with outdoor soccer, baseball and the big home shows,” Hibben said. “And next year we’re doing it on Leap Year so that’s very exciting, and we’ll do something fun for that.”

Since electronic recycling was so popular, it will return next year as well as possibly a medication collection.

NOW IN OUR

14th YEAR

YOUR FRIENDS IN THE CAR BUSINESS

OUR MISSION IS TO GIVE YOU A PLEASURABLE BUYING EXPERIENCE Downtown by the 69 W. Washington St / Rt 34 · Oswego, IL 60543 • (630) 554-9339 railroad tracks!

Ed and Matt invite you to stop by and see how over 60 years combined experience can make your purchase truly pleasant. We are currently celebrating our 14 th year servicing the Fox Valley area.

We specialize in vehicles under $10,000 - many in the $4,000-$8,000 range. All have been safety checked, serviced and should give you years of driving pleasure as a student, family, work or second vehicle. If you don’t see what you are looking for in our inventory regardless of the year, we will find that special vehicle for you. We truly appreciate the many loyal customers and referrals we have had over the last 14 years. Make your next vehicle purchase from us and we will exceed your expectations.

Also visit our website at

www.HettsAutoSales.com

Page 2 www.oswegochamber.org

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INTERNSHIPS/ JOB SHADOWING

H

eading off to college, getting a degree a few years later and then stumbling into that first “real” job is a path some take after graduating from high school.

Others are kick starting their careers by participating in the internship and work study programs offered by Oswego High School and Oswego East High School in partnership with members of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.

“There are a lot of students who want that work experience their senior year,” said Jenny Musielak, I.C.E. and criminal justice coordinator at Oswego High School. “We’ve had some students who want to become teachers and police officers and we’ve been able to set up internships so they can kind of feel what it’s like to work in the industry. So we’ve worked with people like the Oswego Police Department to do these internships.”

While the students reap the benefits of the program, so do the businesses within the community as they help shape some of the u Continued on page 5

TABLE OF CONTENTS Interns, Job Shadows.............................................................................3 Vice Chairman......................................................................................... 4 OsweGROW............................................................................................. 5 Construction Update............................................................................. 6 Chamber CEO Letter...............................................................................7 Ribbon Cuttings...................................................................................... 8 New Members......................................................................................... 9 Meet Our Board...................................................................................... 9 Save The Date!....................................................................................... 11 www.oswegochamber.org

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Becoming a Member is EASY and Affordable!

Check us out online at www.OswegoChamber.org Call, e-mail, or stop on by!

Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce 73 W. Van Buren St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 • Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Spring 2019 3

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VICE CHAIRMAN

Dear Chamber Member, Welcome to the Spring Edition of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce newsletter! As the Oswego Chamber celebrates their 35th year of being an organization, I will say how proud I am to be a member of this wonderful organization. I am a Platinum Elite member with the company I work for, Old Second National Bank, as well as being a member through a non-profit organization, Oswego Junior Woman’s Club. Both of these memberships provide many benefits and different values, but it is all a positive experience, and has proven to be such an added perk for participation in the business community. I have lived in Oswego my whole life, and I love supporting and working with the business in our community, and I am very passionate about this. Because of this, I do not take my role on the Board of Directors, or being a Chamber ambassador lightly. I have been often asked, “What exactly does the Oswego Chamber do?”

To put it simply, we support each other in business, connect business members together, share information, network, as well as link community members to our chamber members for business opportunities. These are just a few to list, and for me personally, I can add building relationships with people, personal/professional development with different events that have brought in speakers, and supporting new businesses by attending their ribbon cuttings. I would be remiss if I left out all of the fun we also have at our various events such as the annual golf outing, various luncheons, Spirits on the Farm event, as well as our annual FraidyCat 5k, 10K and mile run.

There are so many opportunities to get involved with the chamber, it is honestly what you choose to put into it. Since each business is different, you need to find what may be a good fit for you, but make it a priority to get to know the business community through your chamber membership. Talk to one of the board members or ambassadors if you are interested in learning more of what the Oswego Area Chamber can do for you. Please feel free to reach out I can be of any help or answer any questions.

Carrie Niesman Vice Chairman of the Board | Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce Page 4 www.oswegochamber.org

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J

OSWEGROW ust because you know how to juggle doesn’t make you a clown.

It just might mean that you’re a business owner without the wild, colorful makeup and hair and the unicycle as your mode of transport.

u Continued from page 3

talented young women and men who will soon be joining the workforce for good.

Internships and I.C.E. are the two programs now being offered. Internships pair students with a mentor in their career field and over the course of 10 to 12 weeks, the student can seek out the knowledge of the expert as well as observe them in the work environment.

I.C.E. is a yearlong program for senior students who are required to work at least 15 hours per week. Most positions are paid and students receive early release to go to work depending on their schedule and the credits required to graduate. Students earn consumer education credit, a graduation requirement, via I.C.E. “People are learning about the programs mainly by word of mouth and we promote them around the building, and the counselors know they exist and can recommend them to students,” Musielak said. “When juniors are picking classes for their senior year, it’s a good time to see if there’s a good fit for them for something in these programs.

www.oswegochamber.org

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Wouldn’t it be great to stop juggling all of your responsibilities for a moment and to reach out to see if there are better waysof doing things?

You can by reaching out to OsweGrow, which connects local business owners and entrepreneurs with free resources, mentoring and workshops to help you with your business or even get a new one started.

“I think there’s a wide net of subject matter for employees of a business, those out on their own, businesses just starting out and even those who have existed for a long time.” said Corinna Cole, economic development director for the Village of Oswego.

“It’s a partnership, but it’sthe library that spearheads all this.”

OsweGrow has specialized business databases to assist you with market research and writing business plans as well as curated print and online resources. While offering numerous free workshops and

events, participants can network and connect with small business mentors who might have some advice to help minimize all the juggling you’re doing.

“We really try to get feedback from attendees and local businesses and what it is you need to see,” Cole said. “We’ll sometimes produce suggestions of what needs to be out in the community and we’ll coordinate with SCORE (nationwide nonprofit organization for small businesses) and provide one-onone technical assistance, workshops and mentorings, and Waubonsee Community College also is helpful.”

At Waubonsee Community College’s Small Business Development Center(SBDC), prospective and existing business owners can obtain essential management, marketing and financial coaching, including complimentary one-on-one coaching and a wide variety of low-cost events and workshops.

Performing financial checkups, troubleshooting management issues, developing marketing strategies, creating business plans, identifying funding opportunities and planning growthstrategies are just some of the ways the experts at Waubonsee can help.

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We’re building something

BIG in downtown Oswego!

A transformed downtown Oswego starts taking shape as construction begins on new restaurants, retail and public amenities in summer 2019

ABOUT OSWEGO The Village of Oswego, located approximately 50 miles southwest of Chicago, is ideally placed at the southern end of the Fox River Valley. With a population of 30,400, Oswego is the largest community in Kendall County, and has been recognized as one of the fastest growing communities in the country.

The Village was founded in 1833 and today provides a rich and expansive history, landscape, activities, events, culture, shopping and dining opportunities for its residents and visitors.

- Village of Oswego

C

onstruction is set to begin this summer on multiple projects in Oswego that will reshape the downtown landscape in a big way.

When it’s finished, the six-story, two building Reserve at Hudson Crossing will feature 280 luxury apartments, 10,000 square feet of retail along Washington Street, a restaurant with outdoor dining, and completely reconstructed streets with benches and other amenities. Parking decks on the lowest floors of the development will be owned by the Village and provide approximately 520 new spaces of free parking for both residents and downtown shoppers. The Reserve is expected to take about three years to complete.

The 2019 construction season will also include work on the new Block 11, a reimagined streetscape

featuring a pedestrian-friendly shared promenade for shoppers and diners to gather on the block bordered

by Washington, Adams and Main Streets. The block will be anchored by a three-story mixed-use development of first-floor retail and upstairs office space slated for the former Village Hall site, and a two-story Mexican restaurant along Washington Street from the team behind Napervillebased Potter’s Place.

More information on downtown Oswego’s new developments is available at www.goOswego.org/ coming-soon.

Residents and business owners can also sign up for email alerts on downtown road closures, parking restrictions, event information and more by visiting www.oswegoil.org and clicking on the blue Email Alerts button.

Page 6 www.oswegochamber.org

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Chamber CEO Letter I would like to welcome you as a business owner/manager in Oswego and tell you a little about the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.

We are a membership based organization that relies fully on membership dues and fundraising to do our jobs. We DO NOT receive any tax dollars. We are fully committed to promotion the member businesses of our organization and only give referrals for businesses that are members of our chamber.

The chamber is active on Social Media with pictures, referrals and announcements of new businesses but

also weather updates, construction updates, new businesses coming to town/ joining the chamber and Legislative updates.

We offer many seminars and networking opportunities each month and different time slots to insure our members have opportunities to network, learn and meet other businesses in a time that works for them. We celebrate our businesses successes and their openings.

The chamber also has a conference room that our members can use for interviews, remote office space when needed and more. I am a Notary if you need to have something notarized. Make sure if

ANGIE HIBBEN

President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce

you are a member that your marketing material is in our membership room and is up to date.

Again this year we are a sponsor of Prairiefest and will be distributing our member guides and offering our members the opportunity to promote their business in our tent – watch for emails about this if you are a member.

As always I am here to answer any questions you may have. Please stop by the chamber office sometime to meet to meet Shayna and myself. We look forward to working with businesses in Oswego and helping to promote.

630-551-1311 • citadellock.com • 105 Theodore Drive, Unit H, Oswego, IL 60543 PROTECTING WHAT YOU VALUE MOST FULL LOCKSMITH SERVICES: • Commercial Door Hardware, Doors/Frames Installed • Rekeying Services • Residential Services Available • Design/Layout Master Key Systems IL License #192-000260

Authorized dealer for

Commercial • Industrial • Healthcare • Transportation • Multi-Family Housing www.oswegochamber.org

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RIBBON CUTTINGS

Recent Celebrations AUNTIE ANNE’S Catering, and Food/Market, Restaurants/Food/Bar Pretzels, Nuggets, Pretzel Dogs, Drinks, Catering. 2700 Route 34 Inside of Meijer; Oswego, IL 60543; 815-342-2378

BROOK HENSCHEN REAL ESTATE GROUP REAL ESTATE Real Estate Agent with KW Inspire, Bringing my clients a seamless real estate transaction with my team of professionals! 407 S. Third St., Geneva, IL 60134; 815-814-5940; www.brookhenschenregroup.com

FIT SPEED OF NAPERVILLE, LLC Fit Speed of Naperville, LLC. is located in Aurora, IL and has served communities throughout the state of Illinois, as well as international clients. We have created a family friendly environment that’s committed to serving the person, the spirit and the dream. Our trainers at Fit-Speed are the best in the world at getting athletes faster and ready to excel in all sports activities – whether they be youth, elite amateurs, professional or weekend warriors. Our programs are centered on speed and quickness. We employ industry leading technology to ensure that our members become stronger, faster, and better at any sport or activity that they participate in.

1222 N. Eola Rd., Aurora, IL 60502; www.fit-speed.com

THE MARMALADE TREE Gifts, and Home Decor, and Oswego Downtown Merchants, Retail. The Marmalade Tree is a boutique and gift shop located in downtown Oswego, serving the community for over 20 years. We sell clothing, purses, jewelry, sandals, home decor, picture frames, seasonal items, and much more! We also carry many items that can be personalized for special occasions. 79 Main St., Oswego, IL 60543; 630-554-7550; wwwthemarmaladetreeoswego.com

Page 8 www.oswegochamber.org

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Chamber BOARD OF DIRECTORS

SHANNON NUZBACH – JOHN GREENE REALTOR Residential Real Estate Professional, 20 year community resident, passionate supporter of local business!

2677 Route 34, Oswego, IL 60543; 630-608-9033; www.shannonnuzbach. johngreenerealtor.com

CORY HOLSTEAD

CHAIRMAN GNB Industrial Power - Motive Power cory.holstead@exide.com

CARRIE NIESMAN

VICE CHAIRMAN Old Second National Bank cniesman@oldsecond.com

Meet Our Newest Members

BROOK HENSCHEN

TREASURER john greene Realtor BrookHenschen@johngreenerealtor.com

CHERYL KEILSON

SECRETARY Mary Kay Cosmetics cherylkeilson@gmail.com

Lennar Seasons at Southbury lennar.com

Fit Speed of Naperville, LLC fit-speed.com

Oswegoland Fishin Fools fishinfools.org

Seattle Sutton’s Healthy Eating SeattleSutton.com

Auntie Anne’s jamszels@gmail.com

New Horizons discoveryourhorizon.org

Near North Title Group jmaratea@nntg.com

Copy King Office Solutions copyking.com

Shannon Nuzbach – john greene Realtor shannonnuzbach.johngreenerealtor.com

Penna Electric david@pennaselectric.com

Sport Zone sportzonepark.com

West Suburban Bank tgruca@westsuburbanbank.com lcornelius@westsuburbanbank.com

Kit’s Towing kitstowing.com Springs at Oswego springsapartments.com/apartments/il/ oswego/springs-at-oswego

Code Ninjas codeninjas.com Edward Jones edwardjones.com/don-oblazney

Northfork Farm nforkfarm.com

Codeforce codeforceoswego.com

The Marmalade Tree themarmaladetreeoswego.com

Docha Photography dochaphotography.com homeanddrone.com

Kendall County Juvenile Justice Council co.kenall.il.us/states-attorney/juvenilejustice-council

www.oswegochamber.org

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TERRY ANDERSON

Anderson Team @ john greene Realtor terryanderson@johngreenerealtor.com

ANITA PATEL

BLING IT ON with LC! paparazziaccessories.com/280313/

Joliet Slammers Professional Baseball Team jolietslammers.com

O’Neil Property Group, LLC oneilpropertygroup.com

CARRIE HANSEN

Schoppe Design Associates carrie@schoppedesign.net

Holiday Inn Express - Oswego hioswego@hotmail.com

KRISTINE LARSEN

Attorney at Law kristenlarsenlaw@sbcglobal.net

MICHELE BROWN

Bling by Mb michele@blingbymb.com

MARK WRASMAN

Keystroke Graphics mark@keystrokegraphics.com

KEITH MOORE

Black Dog Distillery Keith@blackdogdistillery.com

Bod E Talk mindfullifeAF@gmail.com Edward Jones – Kolka Jonny.kolka@edwardjones.com

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NEED TRAINING FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES? YOU DON’T HAVE TO LOOK FAR FOR HELP.

Turn to the PROs in Corporate Training at Waubonsee Community College — and take advantage of one-stop services that are Proven, Relevant and Optimized.

Do you want to shorten the skills gaps of employees? Waubonsee’s Corporate Training Team can customize any course we offer to suit your needs. Plus, we can provide the training on-site at your location or at one of our four area locations: Sugar Grove, Aurora Downtown, Aurora Fox Valley or Plano Campuses.

In fact, our Plano Campus is available to host your next business meeting; it’s convenient, spacious and AV-ready!

If you’re interested in working with a driving force and leader in workforce education, contact our Corporate Training Team today! Let’s get working!

Start your training plan today!

(630) 906-4152 train@waubonsee.edu www.waubonsee.edu/biztrain

Waubonsee does not discriminate based on any characteristic protected by law in its programs and activities.

Page 10 www.oswegochamber.org

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SAVE the DATE ANNUAL GOLF OUTING

PRAIRIEFEST PARADE

May 30th Fox Bend Golf Course 3516 US Route 34 Oswego, IL 60543 www.golf.oswegochamber.org The Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to invite you to our Annual Golf Outing to be held on Thursday May 30th, 2019 at Fox Bend Golf Course in Oswego.

Year after year, businesses like yours make this a fun and successful event. For more than 25 years, the Oswego Chamber has made it their goal to promote chamber member businesses to the community and surrounding areas. It is through events like the Golf Outing that the Oswego Chamber is able to continue to provide benefits to its members.

June 16th The Oswegoland Park District is proud to continue our tradition of presenting one of the finest, most entertaining parades.

The 2019 parade is going to be full of floats and bursting with bands! We are pleased to invite all businesses and organizations to line up for the PrairieFest Fathers’ Day Parade. We challenge you to be the most entertaining entry for our 10,000 parade spectators. Community groups take the opportunity to celebrate over 30 years of the Festival we all know by it’s heart. The application for parade entries will be posted here in January, 2019. The parade will step off at 1pm on Sunday, June 16.

PRAIRIEFEST

September 21st 3rd Annual event. A cooperativie tasting experience presented by the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce and the IL Craft Distillers Association.

June 13th-16th PrairieFest events are held throughout Oswego with the main festival grounds located at PrairieFest Park, 91 Plank Road, Oswego, IL. Oswego’s four-day community celebration brought to you by the Oswegoland Park District, generous business sponsors, civic organizations, and hundreds of volunteers. We warmly invite you to be a part of “The festival you know by heart”. Whether supporting the fest, hosting an event, or participating in the fun, there’s a place for you at your community festival.

SPIRITS ON THE FARM

HEALTHY DRIVEN FRAIDYCAT RACES

October 27th For the 2nd year we are also doing the Healthy Driven Challenge. Run the Plainfield Harvest Run 5k, the Naperville 1/2 marathon or 5k and the Oswego Fraidycat 5k or Ghost Run 10k and earn a special medal.

PLEASE NOTE: DATES AND EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

“I HAVE BEEN TAKING PICTURES SINCE CHILDHOOD, visually exploring life’s moments. Having the opportunity to shoot for many clients with various needs gave me a chance to discover that ‘unique angle’... with the desire to not just deliver a photo, but to tell the story with that image. It seems like I have always had a camera in my hands, and I very much enjoy my work.”

Wendy Greenslade

14 W. Washington Street | Oswego, IL 60543 630-608-8671 | info@lockedinphotography.com | www.LockedInPhotography.com www.oswegochamber.org

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DAILY SPECIALS

Monday

FAJITAS

Tuesday

Wednesday

TACOS

HALF PRICE APPETIZERS

8 $1

$

(Available in chicken or steak)

(Available in ground beef or shredded chicken)

Thursday

Friday

TORTAS

6

$

Saturday

MARGARITAS

5

$

Sunday

KIDS EAT FREE! (One kids meal per adult entrée purchased)

MICHELADAS

4 $ 3

BOTTLE BEERS

$

ve ! a G e h RIN W TE CA

Place your order today! www.salsaverderestaurant.com/catering

Yorkville | St. Charles | Oswego | Batavia | Indianapolis www.salsaverderestaurant.com

Follow us!

SM-CL1649944

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