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NEWSLETTER u WINTER 2023 u
Business & Industry United For A Better Community
WHAT’S INSIDE:
NONPROFIT HELP
Give back to Oswego with donations and volunteerism
LAUNCHING POINT A village program helps new businesses get started
NEW MEMBERS
Fall Membership Drive adds 11 businesses to the Chamber
SHOP LOCAL FOR THE HOLIDAYS Find the gifts and goods you need in Oswego
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By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
hen the time comes for making a gift list and checking it twice, remember to consider shopping with your local merchants to find unique items and show support for the community. The marketing campaign for Shop Small Saturday on the Saturday after Thanksgiving has helped bring a greater awareness to need to support local retailers and encouraged many communities to host special events to help drive traffic to the community. “We’ve made it a whole weekend,” said Angie Hibben, CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce. “But really, we want to celebrate a whole season of shopping local.” Shopping local is more than an idea, as time and again, studies show shopping local keeps more dollars in the community. The local retailers and their staff are a part of the community, living in our neighborhoods, sending their children to our schools and on the sidelines of local sport events too. There are multiple ways to shop local. There’s visiting retailers to purchase items
and gift cards. Additionally, the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce offers Downtown Dollars, a paper gift card that can easily be redeemed throughout the downtown. The Downtown Dollars can be purchased from the Chamber office in denominations of $5 and greater and the certificate comes with a list of participating merchants. “This can be a great gift for teachers, school bus drivers, members of your staff to encourage them to discover a new place in town for a cup of coffee, to purchase a bottle of wine or maybe a new cardigan or maybe use it for a larger purchase,” Hibben said. She continued, “This is a gift that shows appreciation and encourages the one receiving it to take time to explore the town, discover a new place to enjoy lunch or treat themselves to pastry.” And with Downtown Dollars and other gift cards for local mechants, it keeps the message of shopping small going well after the holiday lights have been packed up. “It’s important to Shop Small, Shop Local, not just for one day, but make it all year round,” Hibben said.
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Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 3
A SEASON OF GIVING BACK Support nonprofits in Oswego through the holidays and beyond
“Great items for the stuff the stocks can be new boxes of crayons, markers, coloring books and maybe a few themes with toy cars and other small items children will enjoy,” Hibben said.
By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
When her son was younger, Hibben said she used to bring him along to help pick out the toys and items they would donate together as a family. This act is a wonderful way to help model the action of giving and help remind our own children about others in the community with needs.
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rom volunteering time to making meaningful donations, there are a number of ways to help support local nonprofits this holiday season and beyond. Part of what makes the area a sought-after community is the incredible connections that bring neighbors and businesses together in support of those in need. The generosity of the community is seen by the outpouring during the holiday season, whether its adopting a family from a Giving Tree program to purchasing an extra toy or two for the annual Toys for Tots collections. This holiday season the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce members will be helping to stuff stockings with small toys and items in support of the Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, explained Angie Hibben, CEO of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce.
And she said, when donating toys consider adding batteries to the package. “Batteries are expensive. Consider giving re-chargeable batteries to keep the toy running,” Hibben said. Donating to the local food pantries is a wonderful way to support the community but remember to take a moment to consider the food selections. For example, mac and cheese is good, but it takes milk and butter to make and those items may not be easily available. Simple to prepare meals like instant potatoes, canned foods such as cereals, pastas and fruit
TABLE OF CONTENTS Shop Local for the Holidays ������������������������������������������������� 1 Support Nonprofits ��������������������������������������������������������������� 4 Chamber President/CEO Letter ������������������������������������������ 6 Fox Fall Fest ��������������������������������������������������������������������������� 8 Village Creates Program to Assist New Business �������������� 9 Save the Date & Fall Membership Drive ��������������������������10 Welcome to Our Newest Members ����������������������������������12 Recent Celebrations �����������������������������������������������������������14 Page 4
and vegetables are great items as well as boxed cereals and snacks. Donations can go beyond food for items that are needed such as baby food, diapers and wipes, toiletries and food for pets, too. Speaking of pets, next time you’re tossing out those old towels, consider bringing them to the local animal shelters and rescues groups who can use them. Remember to care for our older population and check with local senior living facilities to learn about opportunities to “adopt a grandparent” or organize a small collection to support the residents. During these times when our own family budgets feel stretched, remember that giving time is just as valuable to many of our local agencies. Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Will and Grundy counties has expanded to include Kane and Kendall counties with mentoring opportunities during and after school hours. “You can donate your time to help distribute toys, help support them by working a few hours at the food pantry to sort and shelf food,” Hibben said. “Sharing your time is valuable.”
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 25 E. Jackson St. Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org www.oswegochamber.org
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www.oswegochamber.org
Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 5
Chamber CEO Letter
I 25 E. Jackson St. Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 Fax: (630) 554-0050 Email: info@oswegochamber.org Check us out online at www.OswegoChamber.org
can’t believe we are almost to the end of 2023! This has been a busy and exciting year for the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce. On Feb. 1, we moved into our permanent home at 25 E. Jackson St., and at the end of February the Hometown Expo returned to Oswego High School (mark your calendars for Feb. 24 for the 2024 Expo). In March, we had a Membership Drive where 14 new members joined our chamber, and our Fall Membership Drive in October brought in 11 new members. Of course, you can join the chamber at any time of the year. We love to meet new people and learn about new businesses. In June we had our first of two cars shows – August had to be canceled due to excessive heat – and we participated in Prairiefest. In July, we hosted our golf outing and the ribbon cutting for our new offices with over 100 people attending. At the end of October, we hosted the 13th Annual Fraidycat 5K/8K and Meow
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ANGIE HIBBEN
President/CEO Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce
Mile races, and a good time was had by all. Throughout the year, we participated in many ribbon cuttings, three leadership seminars, progressive luncheon, coffees with the chamber and business after business events. As we look toward the end of the year, I would like to encourage you to make this a great end of the year for our local and our small businesses. They are dealing with risings costs, staffing issues and more. Let’s make this a #SHOPLOCAL #SHOPSMALL season from now until the end of the year. Think of your local businesses first for unique items and personalized service. Swing by the Chamber office at 25 E. Jackson St. from 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 1 for S’mores, hot beverages and more. Also mark your calendars for the Annual Chocolate Walk downtown on Feb. 3 and the Annual Hometown Expo on Feb. 24.
www.oswegochamber.org
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Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 7
THANK YOU TO OUR FOX FALL FEST SPONSORS
SUCCESS AT FOX FALL FEST
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ox Fall Fest was held on Sunday, Oct. 1, in downtown Oswego. We had 58 crafters, several food vendors, live music, skateboard demonstrations, bounce houses and games for the kids and sponsors that were hosting children’s activities. It was a balmy 87 degrees, so it was more summer
weather than fall weather, but everyone seemed to have a good time. Mark your calendars for Oct. 6 next year and hopefully we have more fall-like weather. Thank you very much to everyone who came out to support the vendors and shop in the stores.
Y O U C R E AT E T H E C O Z Y. WE’LL PROVIDE THE WARMTH.
n Skateboard/Event Sponsor: Air Dynamics Heating and Cooling n Entertainment Sponsors: Prairieview Orthodontics, Byline Bank, Hudson Design House, Imagination Print & Design and Fox River Academy of Music and Art n Activities Sponsors: BirthtoFive IL, The Learning Experience Oswego, Oswego Vision, Huntington Learning Center, RHK Construction Inc, Brother’s Country Supply, Crossfit Thunderbolt, Oswego Foundation of Educational Excellence, God’s Gifts Preschool & Emmediate Cure. Thank you to the Committee for all your hard work: Megan with Floral Expressions, Leslie with Hudson Design House, Kelley with Imagination Print & Design, Karen with Fox River Academy of Music & Art and Wendy with Locked in Photography.
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Page 8
www.oswegochamber.org
VILLAGE CREATES PROGRAM TO ASSIST NEW BUSINESSES
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By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske
aunching a small business is no easy feat but the Village of Oswego and the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce are launching a new program to help business owners navigate the steps to opening the doors of their new businesses. The Small Business Concierge service will help business owners through the steps required to launching a business in the community, from submitting proposals and architectural reviews to receiving final permits. “The desire is to make it as seamless as possible and help get the permits in place,” explained Chris Dall, project manager for community development for the Village of Oswego. Dall will be serving as the primary contact for the Small Business Concierge Service. He brings his experience as a project manager and general contractor as well as his educational background as an architect to the new position and is excited to begin working with local entrepreneurs as they launch their business ventures in their community, whether their address is in downtown Oswego or in other business corridors. As a project manager for the Village of Oswego’s Building and Zoning Department, Dall works directly with village staff in community development www.oswegochamber.org
and Economic Development Director Kevin Leighty as he assists the business owners. “Every project is a little different,” Dall explained. “The desire is to be able to provide assistance to the business owners as they move through the process.”
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The foundation for the new concierge service was born through conversations between staff from the Village of Oswego and the members of the Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce, who witnessed the challenges independent businesses experiences in navigating technical aspects of the plan review and permitting process, explained Kevin Leighty, economic development director for the Village of Oswego.
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“The village partnered with the Chamber to develop the business concierge, which aims to apply a more personal touch to the process and help these businesses understand what all may be needed, especially if they are not yet familiar with construction work,” Leighty said.
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Through support for the business community, Dall wants to further build on the relationship between business owners and the Village of Oswego. “The hope is we can really establish a good relationship between the business owners and the village,” Dall said.
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FALL MEMBERSHIP DRIVE Chamber welcomes 11 new businesses
It’s time to pull out your 2024 calendar and note these upcoming events in Oswego: n CHOCOLATE WALK Saturday, Feb. 3 n HOMETOWN EXPO Saturday, Feb. 24 n STATE OF THE VILLAGE Thursday, Feb. 29
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he Oswego Area Chamber of Commerce just finished our Fall Membership drive and welcomed 11 new businesses into the chamber. Thank you to our Ambassadors, our Board of Directors and members who referred businesses to the chamber. Welcome NSG Construction, Yorkville Christian School, M/I Homes (Platinum Elite membership), The Brant at Oswego Senior Living, Plasia, Bare Skin Care, Sacred Journey Wellness LLC, Travel Services of Yorkville, Silver Fox, Dakotas Bar and Grill, and Kendall Meat Company LLC.
You can join the chamber at anytime of the year and we welcome many new members throughout the year. Chamber membership is one of the most effective and inexpensive ways to market your business and includes a listing on our website, the ability Read ab out mor to come to e of the C hamber events and ’s newest we promote member s your on page 12! information when you give it to us.
www.oswegochamber.org
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Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 11
Meet Our Newest Members SINCE SEVENTY FIVE DESIGN CO.
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Nicholas Decarlo Oswego, IL 60543 773-315-0682 sinceseventyfive@gmail.com
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Derek Drew Yorkville, IL 60560 331-255-7065 ddrew@dreamplasia.com
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Bonnie Nebelle 2860 Route 34 Oswego, IL 60543 630-551-3912 #429@redrobin.com
Alberto Montgomery, IL 60538 630-465-3602 Ap.painting315@gmail.com
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TRAVEL SERVICES OF YORKVILLE
Paul Rathman 2222 Cornell Ave. Montgomery, IL 60538 630-892-7872 paulr@bdkdoor.com
1884 Plain Ave. Aurora, IL 60502 630-696-6727 Mary.windsor@alphamediausa.com
RIVER HEIGHTS VETERINARY HOSPITAL
Victor Rodriquez 29 B Stonehill Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 331-871-8400 victor@nsgconstructionllc.com
Amy Reinboldt 5580 Walter Payton Memorial Hwy. Oswego, IL 60543 630-554-3400 vet@riverheightsveterinary.com
YORKVILLE CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
TREEHOUSE TREATS
Janine McDavitt 2001 Whitekirk Ln. Yorkville, IL 60560 janinemcdavitt@yorkvillechristian.com
ALTITUDE OSWEGO
Lauren Miles 2135 City Gate Ln. 620 Naperville, IL 60563 Ambassador: Jennifer Jones-Sinnott lmiles@mihomes.com
Leigha Reicheneker 52 N. Adams St. Oswego, IL 60543 630-524-3427 treatstreehouse@gmail.com Hannah Nicolas/Nicola White 1600 Douglas Rd. Oswego, IL 60543 331-717-9335 gm@altitudeoswego.com
M/I HOMES
THE BRANT AT OSWEGO SENIOR LIVING
Alisha Blaylock 101 Chapman Dr. Oswego, IL 60543 marketing@brantatoswego.com
SACRED JOURNEY WELLNESS LLC
Cara Behrens 801 N. Bridge St. Yorkville, IL 60560 630-553-7200 clb@travelservicesofyorkville.com
SILVER FOX
Yonas Hagos 600 E. Veterans Pkwy. Yorkville, IL 60560 630-332-4060 yhagos@att.net
DAKOTAS BAR AND GRILL
Yonas Hagos 227 Heustis St. Yorkville, IL 60560 630-332-4060 yhagos@att.net
KENDALL MEAT COMPANY LLC
Yonas Hagos 731A Erica Ln. Yorkville, IL 60560 630-332-4060 yhagos@att.net
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 25 E. Jackson St. • Oswego, IL 60543 Phone: (630) 554-3505 • Fax: (630) 554-0050 • Email: info@oswegochamber.org
Page 12
www.oswegochamber.org
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Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 13
Recent Celebrations
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RIBBON CUTTING OSWEGO CUT AND COLOR 4558 Route 71 • Oswego, IL 60543 630-636-9121 • www.oswegocutandcolor.glossgenius.com
RIBBON CUTTING RED ROBIN 2860 Walter Payton Memorial Hwy. • Oswego, IL 60543 630-551-3912 • www.redrobin.com
RIBBON CUTTING SEWER SHARKS 110 Kirkland Cir. G • Oswego, IL 60543 331-999-3700 • www.sewersharksillinois.com
RIBBON CUTTING WASH MY WHIP 133 Braeburn Dr. • Montgomery, IL 60538 847-877-2485
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www.oswegochamber.org
REGISTER
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APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW
Spring registration is open, and courses begin January 16. View the course schedule at waubonsee.me/spring24courses Submit your free new student application at waubonsee.me/oswegoapply
Each year, the Waubonsee Foundation offers over 300 awards to new and returning Waubonsee students. One application gets you consideration for all the 2024-25 Foundation scholarships for which you may be eligible. • Priority deadline:
February 5, 2024
WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR COLLEGE? When… • You want to receive a degree or
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That’s when you need to enroll at Waubonsee. Waubonsee does not discriminate on the basis of any individual’s actual or perceived characteristic protected by law in its programs or activities. Inquiries regarding this policy may be directed to: Michele Needham, Title IX/ADA/Section 504 Coordinator, Route 47 at Waubonsee Drive, Sugar Grove, IL 60554, compliance@waubonsee.edu.
www.oswegochamber.org
Oswego Area Chamber Newsletter | Winter 2023 15
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