Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce Newsletter - Spring 2024

The

Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce welcomes the many businesses and industries to our area.

GEAR UP FOR CRUISE NIGHTS

11th season of weekly downtown car show kicks off

FJune 4

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

rom the purrs to the rumbles of the engines on classic cars, the summer tradition of Cruise Nights is one all ages can enjoy.

This year will mark the 11th season of the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce hosting its weekly Cruise Nights June 4 through Aug. 20. Each Tuesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. visitors stroll through downtown Plainfield to check out the vehicles and quite often, stop and chat with neighbors and friends too.

“You can’t go a night without seeing somebody you know and I think that’s one of my favorite things about the event,” said Tasha Marsaglia, executive director of the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce.

Marsaglia and a team of volunteers take to the street each week, helping to guide traffic and direct the vintage vehicles to diagonal slots along Lockport Street. It’s an open invite to Cruise Nights and there’s no fee to bring a vehicle to the event. Some drivers will bring their vehicle based on the weekly theme while others keep a standing date in the weekly event. It’s a first come, first park event and if the weather’s right, an average of 300 vehicles will participate.

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The chamber’s Cruise Nights Facebook page is the best way to stay up to date on themes and any changes due to weather.

The chamber will bring back the weekly naming sponsorship. This year, there will be new opportunities each week for 10 businesses with addresses outside of the downtown to have tent location in the downtown. Marsaglia said chamber businesses leapt at this opportunity and nearly every available spaces is filled.

For Rick Hakey of Rick Hakey State Farm Team Hakey, the weekly Cruise Nights are a festive evening for his office located along Lockport Street for the last 28 years. He and his staff set up a canopy outside his front door and if there’s time they’ll pop fresh popcorn and set up their spin the wheel game where visitors can win prizes like sunglasses and bottle cozies.

“It’s a night to see other small business owners, network with our customers, see family and friends,” Hakey said. “We really do embrace it.”

The chamber volunteers created a Hog Pen to provide motorcycle parking at Cruise Nights. While residents who live nearby enjoy walking over to the event, others can find parking for their vehicles at Plainfield Central High School,

Plainfield Village Hall or off Illinois and Oak streets and the township offices.

Some visitors arrive to the Cruise Nights via an evening run. The team at DNA Active Lifestyle Outfitters in Plainfield hosts a weekly run year-round on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The run is free to join, with varying distances and abilities, explained Cathy Crawford, community outreach director for DNA Active Lifestyle Outfitters.

“It’s a fun run with multiple levels of distances and athletic abilities,” Crawford said.

The runs include those who can complete a mile in six minutes to those walking each mile, with around 50 participants on an average summer night, she added. It’s free to join a weekly run and it has even attracted some of the local high school runners, she added.

On Cruise Nights the runners often check out the cars on display and seek out a dining location to nosh after logging their miles.

Run, stroll or drive in for the weekly Cruise Nights and join the community in an evening in the town. And be sure to mark the calendar for the Aug. 6 event which will combine with the annual National Night Out featuring the police department and members of the village staff as well.

This custom newsletter was created and produced by Shaw Media for the:

PLAINFIELD SHOREWOOD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE 24109 W. Lockport Street Plainfield, IL 60544

www.plainfieldchamber.com

VILLAGE OF SHOREWOOD

One Town Center Blvd. Shorewood, IL 60404

LOGO CREATOR : Justin Rolff, Rolff Signs

SHAW MEDIA

2175 Oneida Street Joliet, IL 60435 815-280-4101

www.shawmedia.com

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information in this publication. The Chamber and Shaw Media assume no responsibility for misinformation. Contact the Plainfield Area Chamber of Commerce with any additions or corrections. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Chamber and Shaw Media is prohibited.

The annual family-friendly Shorewood Crossroads Festival will be Aug. 2 through Aug. 4 at Cene’s Four Seasons Park in Shorewood. This event is hosted by the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce and is supported by not only the Village of Shorewood but many local businesses who sponsor throughout the weekend. This year’s naming sponsor is once again TR Miller Heating, Cooling and Plumbing.

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The festival will kick off with the annual special needs preparty event Friday, Aug. 2, from 2 to 4 p.m. Registration is required to attend the event, which is designed for families who have a special needs family member who might use a wheelchair or experience sensitivity to crowds or noise. This gives them a chance to enjoy the carnival before it opens to the public at 5 p.m.

Throughout the weekend, the festival will include unlimited ride specials as well as activities such as a craft and business vendor show, a classic car show, a parade, a bags tournament, a fireworks show presented by the Village of Shorewood and entertainment on the stage.

This year’s lineup of live entertainment will consist of Poison’D Crue, Infinity, School of Rock, Don’t Matter to Me, Badass Phoenix, 7th Heaven and AD3 Acoustic Trio.

The Shorewood Crossroads Festival committee is working hard on securing food vendors, business and craft vendors as well as participants in the other activities. They also are working on other plans that may be coming to this year’s festival.

This is one of the biggest fundraisers for the chamber; they donate funds back to organizations who invest volunteer time throughout the weekend. It is a great way to get everyone involved and give back to the community.

Continue to stay tuned to Crossroads Fest updates online at www.psacchamber.com website.

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Join the Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce at their 26th Annual Plainfield Harvest 5K/10K Run and Kids Miler. This year’s event will be held on Sunday, Sept. 29, and will kick off with the kids race at 8:30 a.m. followed by the 5K and 10K at 9:15 a.m. Each year the chamber hosts this event to raise funds to give back to local nonprofits and service organizations. Over the history of the event, the chamber has disbursed $400,000 into the community.

The annual run is an amazing family and community event with an average 850 participants. One year tallied about 1,200 runners and walkers.

Each participant will receive a hooded sweatshirt that showcases all of the event sponsors. Participants also will receive a goodie bag. The 10K participants also receive extra swag. All will receive a finisher medal.

This is a great day to come out and cheer on our runners and walkers. Everyone has a chance to stop by sponsor tables throughout the morning. The annual race naming sponsor is Endeavor Health, formerly known as Edward Elmhurst Health. Registration is open until the start of the race. Register in advance online at www.plainfieldharvest5k.com. Please contact the chamber if you are interested in participating, volunteering or sponsoring.

Members of the C.W. Avery Family YMCA walk in a 2023 parade. A new YMCA facility is planned in Shorewood. The Shorewood YMCA project may be structured similarly to facility partnerships the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has made in Plainfield and Morris.

Media photo

Greater Joliet Area YMCA eyes expansion into Shorewood YMCA PROJECT IN SHOREWOOD

The construction of a new YMCA facility in Shorewood is getting closer to becoming a reality.

Conversations are ongoing between the YMCA Board of Directors, its leadership team, and the village of Shorewood, according to Katy Leclair, president and CEO of the Greater Joliet Area YMCA.

“The Y began exploring a partnership opportunity with the village of Shorewood in 2019,” she said.

“At this time, we are still working together to finalize a fully integrated partnership, which, if formalized, would include the construction of a new state-of-the-art YMCA facility in Shorewood to serve the greater Joliet area,” Leclair added.

Shorewood Mayor Clarence C. DeBold said, “It would fill a void in

our community. It would be a great opportunity for the community and surrounding area.”

Leclair noted that the Galowich Family YMCA on Houbolt Road in Joliet will remain open to serve members and the community while construction of a Shorewood YMCA is underway.

“We are excited to write the next chapter of the Y’s storied history in our community as we continue to provide much needed youth development programs at more than 50 communitybased youth development sites throughout the greater Joliet area,” she said.

It is anticipated the Shorewood YMCA project would be structured similarly to facility partnerships the Greater Joliet Area YMCA has made in both the Plainfield and Morris communities.

In December 2002, the YMCA acquired 11.5 acres of property in Plainfield to build the C.W. Avery Family YMCA.

The building opened its doors to the Plainfield community in 2006 and in November 2008, the Cliff and Lois Berglund Family Aquatic Center opened.

In addition, in 2013 and again in 2018, its Wellness Center added more space, new equipment and an updated design.

The Greater Joliet Area YMCA and the Morris Hospital & Healthcare Centers worked in partnership to create the Morris YMCA in 2015 which opened to the public in downtown Morris in a 7,500 square foot renovated facility.

Last summer, construction began on the future Morris Hospital YMCA which is expected to open in early 2025.

Shaw

Rendering of Woodman’s Food Market grocery store coming to Plainfield

Provided by Village of Plainfield

PLAINFIELD ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

New shops and a roadway expansion in store in 2024

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske

The grocery game is about to change for the Plainfield community as Woodman’s Food Market has been approved to construct a new 243,000-square-foot grocery store at the northeast corner of 119th and Route 59. The new store will be almost 100,000 square feet larger than Plainfield’s Costco, explained Jake Melrose, economic development director for the Village of Plainfield.

“This Woodman’s will serve the southwest suburban region,” Melrose said, adding he’s visited a location in Wisconsin and seen first-hand the large grocery, which is employee-owned and managed by a family business.

In addition to the new grocery store the development will include a Woodman’s gas station, oil change center and a car wash. There will be another seven to eight out lots available on the site for future development, Melrose said.

The Plainfield Village Board has approved plans for Hawk Auto to bring four new dealerships to the Route 59 south corridor, just north Rolf Road. Residents will likely see at least two of the dealerships break ground this spring, Melrose added.

Work to extend 143rd Street from Steiner Road to Ridge Road has started and with it is the development of new industrial projects that include BP Chill building a cold storage facility, as well as new warehouse developments including one by DSV Logistics, the second largest logistics company in the world. Melrose added the projects are expected to bring nearly $2 million in property tax revenue to Plainfield.

In March the Village Board approved the first recreational cannabis dispensary that will occupy a vacant, former Hardee’s building just south of Renwick

Road on Route 59. Melrose said the village is working with a second dispensary interested in proprieties on the north end of the community. Melrose said estimated sales tax revenue from a single dispensary is between $300,00 to more than half a million dollars.

In downtown Plainfield, Altiro Latin Fusion recently opened its doors to customers. The family-owned restaurant has locations in Geneva and downtown Wheaton. The owners of Next Whiskey Bar in Plainfield and Lisle are set to open a new restaurant called The Clifton in downtown Plainfield. The Major Threat Restaurant Group has taken the former Taphouse on Lockport Street with plans to open a new restaurant it’s calling Fuse’d, Melrose said.

The village continues to work on bringing new business for the Boulevard, Melrose said, adding there are some smaller businesses slated at this time on the Plainfield side and a new breakfast restaurant opening on the Joliet side of the development. During the past year there was an Aldi grocery store expansion, work started for new Taco Bell built at Route 59 and Industrial Drive and a new Dollar Tree added near the Menards.

Crews work on the 143rd Street west extension on March 7 in Plainfield.

SCHOOL DISTRICT UPDATES

Troy Community Consolidated District 30-C

After months of work, the Troy Community Consolidated District 30 School Board is set to approve a three-year Strategic Plan for the pre-K-8th grade district. The plan will help guide the district through 2027 and has involved the community and administration to build a comprehensive plan.

The plan encompasses five main goals. The first goal is Effective Use of Facilities, making sure the district is using space efficiently and preparing for the continued growth in the district. The second goal is Enhanced Academic Progress, making sure all students are achieving their personalized academic growth goals. The third goal is Social Emotional Support and Belonging, as it is important to create a safe environment for all students, staff, families and community members. The fourth goal is Developed Engagement and Partnerships to increase the positive involvement between the community, families and the school. The fifth goal is Workforce Enhancement to make sure the district is actively recruiting, developing and retaining highly qualified, diverse staff to ensure academic growth and success for all students.

Troy Community Consolidated District 30-C includes portions of Joliet, Shorewood, Channahon, Crest Hill and unincorporated Troy Township. The district has five elementary schools for students in Pre-K through fourth grade, an intermediate school for students in fifth and sixth grades and one middle school for students in seventh and eighth grades.

To learn more about the Strategic Plan, visit www.troy30c.org.

CONSTRUCTION ZONE

This summer the district will be working on construction at Cronin Elementary School in Shorewood. Previously known as Crossroads School, Cronin Elementary School houses students in preschool through fourth grades, including full-day kindergarten. One of the district’s older buildings, it has an auditorium that will be converted into academic space.

The construction will renovate the auditorium space to provide two new general classrooms and five meeting spaces to house teaching specialists including reading and math specialists and other staff providing student academic support. The work will take place during the summer and is scheduled to be completed before the first day of the new school year, Aug. 21.

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Plainfield District 202

As Plainfield District 202 students and staff conclude the 2023-24 school year community members are welcome to attend numerous athletic events, activities and celebrations to cheer on students.

Everyone at Plainfield District 202 extends their best wishes to retirees as they enter the next stage of their life.

During fourth quarter, district schools are distributing 17,000 computers to students as part of the district’s technology refreshment plan. During the summer, significant improvements will be underway at all four high school auditoriums.

More 1,200 students will be involved in summer school with the district’s Extended School Year, Middle School and High School programs.

District 202 staff will have many professional development opportunities to improve themselves as well this summer, ranging from the Advanced Placement Summer Institute to the Google Technology Summer Summit.

Also, this summer the school district will provide families with access to state health requirements at a reduced cost or even free of charge. District 202 is dedicated to ensuring all families have easy access to essential health services, and Plainfield 202 has forged a partnership with the Will County Health Department where families can conveniently fulfill all health requirements at a reduced cost in one centralized location. Parents can secure their appointments on July 15, July 22 and July 29, or by calling 815-727-8670. For details, visit www.psd202.org.

training satisfies OSHA training requirements regarding occupational exposure to blood and other potentially infectious materials.

RIBBON CUTTINGS

CELEBRATING LOCAL BUSINESS

The Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce embraces local business owners and works to promote growth and development in our community, keeping Plainfield a desirable area in which to live, work and shop. A ribboncutting ceremony is an important way to announce to the community that a business is open and ready to accept customers, and PACC is proud to partner with our most recent new businesses.

Welcome new Chamber members:

 DECEMBER THROUGH MARCH

DECEMBER

Take Me Away Travels

Red Robin

Edward Jones - Maher Dabbouseh

Omega Plumbing, Inc.

Purple Plum Inc.

JANUARY

Scene 75 Entertainment

Fly Guy Transfer Inc.

Grand Appliance

Crosstown Realtors Inc

Local Lawn Care & Landscaping

Confident Communicators Toastmasters Club

Artisan Theory

Advance Services, Inc.

FEBRUARY

Left Round Records

Thrivent Financial - Logan Todorovic

A Beauty Laser & Skin, LLC

Altiro Latin Fusion

Keller Williams Infinity - Melanie Lodder

Pet Wants Naperville

KidStrong

Skin Deep Esthetics, LLC

Prudential Advisors - James DeFano

Temper Artistry

Legendary Escape Rooms & Axe Throwing

John Greene Commercial

Team Shanahan - Ms. Shanahan

BODi

John Green Realtor

Pink Elite Club Basketball

Oasis Medical Practice

MARCH

Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy

American Cancer Society

Head Mutt Foundation

DeLeon Realty Group LLC

Valet-Cleaning

Frosty Tips, Inc.

The Alzheimer’s Association

Corrigan’s Pub on 52

Papa Caps Food

Northwestern Mutual

Niche Estate Sales and Services, LLC

ColorArtistix

Joyful Crystals

Dimelo Media

2024 PLAINFIELD SHOREWOOD AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

TASHA MARSAGLIA

Executive Director

Plainfield Shorewood Area Chamber of Commerce 24109 W. Lockport St. Plainfield, IL 60544 (815) 436-4431

ADAM UNDERHILL

Chairman of the Board

Edward Jones Financial Advisor 611 Rollingwood Dr., Ste. 1 Shorewood, IL 60404 (815) 630-4377

BRIAN SLOAN

Vice Chairman of the Board

T.R. Miller Heating & Cooling 11917 S. Aero Dr. Plainfield, IL 60585 (815) 436-4331

ANNA HULLINGER

Corporate Treasurer

BMO Harris Bank 2251 Rt. 59 Plainfield, IL 60586 (815) 254-5600

LISA BEHOUNEK

Corporate Secretary

C.W. Avery Family YMCA 15120 W. Wallin Dr. Plainfield, IL 60544 (815) 782-0501

TRACEY LANE

Past Chair

Plainfield Public Library 15025 S. Illinois St. Plainfield, IL 60544 (815) 327-2511

KRISTIN BRIESE

Servpro of Plainfield/Shorewood 2364 Essington Rd., Unit 506 Joliet, IL 60435

TRACY RAE CROW

Plainfield+Shorewood Neighbors Plainfield, IL 60544

ANDREA FERAK

Joliet Junior College 1215 Houbolt Rd. Joliet, IL 60531

CHAD HOLSTEAD

Business Knowledge Systems 15115 S. Illinois St. Plainfield, IL 60544 630 357-8385

T.J. KARDAS

Plainfield Soap Opera Laundromat, Inc. 15420 S. Rt. 59 Plainfield, IL 60544 (630) 257-2987

ERIC MARSAGLIA

Northern Insurance Services, Ltd. & National Softwash, Inc 12151 S. Rhea Dr. Plainfield, IL 60585 (815) 254-6363 (630) 730-6707

MIKE MONTGOMERY

Kind Lending

3027 English Rows Ave. Naperville, IL 60564 (630) 973-6911

MATT SCHIMANSKI

Edward Jones-Financial Advisor 5700 W. Caton Farm Rd., Ste. 102 Plainfield, IL 60586 (815) 254-5448

CRISTINA ZAMARRON

Tortilla Flatz Mexican Grill 13717 S. Rt. 59 Plainfield, IL 60544 (815) 436-8226