OSWEGO IS BUSY GROWING During a year where many residents are staying home and social distancing. “
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e’re the only area in Illinois that’s growing,” said Daniel Di Santo, village administrator for Oswego. “Kendall County’s population is increasing and we’re the fastest growing area so businesses see a great return on their investment. They know if they invest now they will only have increased demand going forward.” Oswego’s impressive list of growth includes the 113 Main project, a threestory mixed-use building, Shodeen’s The Reserves at Hudson Crossing, a mixed-use residential and commercial development, and the Orchard Road corridor, which will feature an outdoor entertainment amphitheater among other amenities. New restaurants also are arriving in town, including the Dairy Barn and Raising Cane’s, as are consumerfriendly businesses, including Imagination Print & Design, which relocated, and the country’s largest Delta Sonic car wash so you can keep your vehicle clean while you visit all these new destinations right here in Oswego. “(Village President Troy Parlier) and the Village board have been aggressive with finding developers and attracting them,” Di Santo said. “We’re very business friendly and we’re putting in a lot of hard work out there selling the community to good businesses. It’s been a very deliberate effort.” As for any growth complications from the coronavirus, Di Santo said most of the projects started before the aftereffects of its arrival drastically changed how we go about our daily lives. “Thankfully a lot of the projects started before Covid, and when you look around, now is a great time to be under
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construction,” he said, “You’re not losing any customers.” Raising Cane’s, which is relatively new on the national fast food scene, having been founded in Louisiana just 24 years ago, brings its popular chicken fingers to Oswego. “We couldn’t be more excited to bring Caniacs in Oswego a Raising Cane’s to call their own,” said Dakota Strange, area leader of marketing, fry cook and cashier for Raising Cane’s. “We cannot wait to feed the community and support wherever possible.” Kelley Rice, owner of Imagination Print & Design, moved her business to 68 Main St., in late October, early November, last year, utilizing the additional space to expand its capabilities. “It’s also just a wonderful location to be a part of the downtown,” Rice said. “It’s definitely been a lot of fun seeing it all grow in Oswego, and we work with a lot of small businesses and as they’re coming in they’ve helped us grow.” While growth and change can sometimes make it easy to forget about the past, the Dairy Barn will serve as a great tribute to the former Dairy Hut while allowing folks to celebrate with meals or simply a quick ice cream treat. “The Dairy Hut was an Oswego staple that had been here since the50s and 60s,” Di Santo said. “We’re hoping to see it open in 2021. It’s going to be kind of a tip of the cap to the former Dairy Hut, but now be a full-service restaurant and not just ice cream.” While the coronavirus may have folks itching to get out of the house and about, in Oswego, the growth within town is also piquing their interest.
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
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