SVM-MAG_12112014

Sauk Valley

Business Journal Vol. 17, No. 4

Sauk Valley Media

• They love old things at Vintage Chicks ~ Page 6 • Small store, big glam at boutique ~ Page 13

• New Sterling car shop gets cookin’ ~ Page 19

Winter 2014

MIDNIGHT MAGIC THRIVES IN CAKE SHOP ~ Page 11

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

WINTER 2014

PAGE 3

Welcome ... to the Winter 2014 issue of Sauk Valley Business Journal INDEX OF STORIES Brainerd Plastering .......................................4

Girlfriends boutique ...................................13

Vintage Chicks & Feed..................................6

“No-name” antique store ..........................15

Professional Skin Care

G’s eatery .....................................................17

and Massage Spa By Jess ...........................8 Midnight Cake Shop ...................................11 On the cover

Matthew Henthorn of Midnight Cake Shop makes a guitar cake that duplicates a real guitar; he takes it with him to bridal shows.

– Philip Marruffo, Business Journal

Cook’s Quick Lube and Auto Repair .......................................19

The staff of the Sauk Valley Business Journal Publisher: Sam R Fisher Advertising Director: Jennifer Baratta

Advertising Sales: Jill Reyna Business Journal Editor: Jim Dunn

Want to stay informed?

Email Kelly Null at knull@saukvalley.com to start receiving your FREE subscription to the Sauk Valley Business Journal.

Articles and advertisements are the property of Sauk Valley Media of Dixon and Sterling.

No portion of the Sauk Valley Business Journal may be reproduced without written consent of the publisher.

Ad content is not the responsibility of Sauk Valley Media. Sauk Valley Media cannot and will not be held liable for the quality or performance of goods and services provided by advertisers listed in any portion of this publication.

SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

PAGE 4

WINTER 2014

BUSINESS PROFILE

Persevering in the plaster business Third generation of Brainerds now doing the work

BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525

DIXON – Chuck Brainerd says his dad, Chuck Sr., was the hardest-working man in Dixon.

“He was a plasterer, and he owned his own plastering company,” Brainerd said.

Chuck Sr. started Brainerd Plastering in 1948.

“He did all of the houses around here,” said Brainerd, 74. “Everything was plastered back then, because drywall was not invented at that time.”

Brainerd said his dad got into the plastering business for extra money, and because

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Chuck and Ben Brainerd, father and son, work a plastering job together in Morrison. Chuck, 74, who took over from his dad back in the day, is retiring, and Ben, 29, is taking his place. he had the skills needed to do the job.

“He wanted to further himself,” Brainerd said. “At that time, people were not plastering homes.”

In 1985, Brainerd took over the business from his dad, who died of cancer in 1993 at the age of 75.

Now he’s handing the business over to the third genera-

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tion – his son, Ben, 29, who plans to continue the family tradition.

Ben said the company specializes in plastering and water damage, and interior and exterior restoration, on residential and commercial properties.

“I have been trying to pick up where my dad left off with the family business,” Ben said. “I used to watch him work when I was a kid. I’ve been in the trade since I was 15.”

“I have a reputation, and now he has a reputation, which I will guard,” his dad said.

Brainerd Plastering has restored churches and homes, and also has done plastering work at the Depot Museum in Amboy.

People can call the Brainerds, who live in Dixon, just to get informed.

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WINTER 2014

BUSINESS PROFILE

They love old things at Vintage Chicks New Leaf River shop filled with rustic farm finds

BY VINDE WELLS Shaw News Service

LEAF RIVER – A love for oldfashioned items and agriculture has led a rural Leaf River family to open a new business that features both.

Gene and Vicki Miller opened Vintage Chicks & Feed, 700 E. state Route 72, on Sept. 6. They run it with their three grown children.

The store, about 3 miles west of Byron, sells livestock and pet food, along with what Vicki calls “rustic relics” – things such as Mason jars and barbed wire art.

It all started years ago,

Submitted

Vicki Miller opened Vintage Chicks & Feed, 700 E. state Route 72, at the family feed store, about 3 miles west of Byron. She sells livestock, pet food, muck boots and the like, along with what Vicki calls “rustic relics” – everything from Mason jars to barbed wire art. daughter Amy Kirchner explained, when her father started selling livestock feed from the store, which is just

down the road and around the corner from the family farm where they raise Hereford cattle.

“We were in 4-H and had livestock projects, so Dad started selling feed,” she said.

They had hoped to expand the feed business, Vickie said, and decided to add some kind of country store.

“We didn’t want to sit here with just feed,” Amy added.

For a long time, Vicki, Amy, and a friend had scoured sales for rustic pieces and had amassed a good-sized collection.

“We just love old things. We love the memories the old things hold. We’re the Vintage Chicks,” Vicki said with a laugh.

The spaces inside the store are filled with artfully arranged rustic items and decorator pieces.

For more information, search for Vintage Chicks & Feed on Facebook.

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WINTER 2014

BUSINESS PROFILE

Beauty and massage spa moves Dixon native is certified in medical massage

BY PAM EGGEMEIER peggemeier@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5570

DIXON – Jessica Peterson has changed the location and scope of her business.

Professional Skin Care and Massage Spa By Jess recently moved from a suite at the First Street mini-mall to 210 W. Third St. The spa first opened in February 2013.

While the 2005 Dixon High School grad’s broad specialties are as a makeup artist and massage therapist, she now has certifications that expand the range of her offerings.

Peterson is a graduate of Tricoci University of Beauty Cul-

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Professional Skin Care and Massage Spa by Jess, owned by makeup artist and massage therapist Jessica Peterson, has moved to 210 W. Third St. in Dixon. ture in Rockford, where she refined her skills as a makeup artist. Her aesthetics work included one-on-one train-

ing in Arizona with renowned permanent makeup artist Diana Yost. She also completed coursework at North-

ern Prairie School of Massage in Sycamore, and recently received a certification in medical massage.

The nature of medical massage will allow some of her clients to claim the services on their medical insurance.

“If doctors refer their patients to me, I will get their paperwork, and insurance can oftentimes cover it,” Peterson said.

With medical massage, Peterson works on a particular area for release of pain and tension. She can treat generalized neck, low back and hip pain, as well as work to combat more serious ailments.

“Medical massage can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, and help with sciatica and other nerve impingement,” she said.

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

WINTER 2014

PAGE 9

Facials also offered MASSAGE

CONTINUED FROM 8

For those unfamiliar with permanent makeup, Peterson said, the process involves the use of skin pigment to basically tattoo the face. Her most popular requests are for lipliner, eyeliner and eyebrows. She said this type of aesthetics makes sense for any age.

“As people get older, they start losing hair more, and their sight worsens,” Peterson said. “I can do it for them, and it lasts 8 to 10 years.”

She said the process is not a quick one, so she has a good understanding of exactly what the client wants before the work begins. Clients then come in a month after the work is done for any color corrections they might want.

“We have to go through a ton of paperwork, and then

‘‘

We do lightening, brightening, and the facials can even help correct sun damage.

Jessica Peterson

’’

it’s sculpted, tweaked, and put on with a marker-type instrument,” Peterson said.

“If it isn’t exactly how they wanted it, we can correct it.”

Peterson also does deepcleansing and corrective chemical peels. The facials last about 90 minutes, and Peterson said consultations are done for that service as well.

“We do lightening, brightening, and the facials can even help correct sun damage,” she said.

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Along with skin care services and medical massage, spa owner Jessica Peterson also offers hot stone therapy.

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Matthew Henthorn makes a guitar cake, a duplicate of a real guitar, that he takes with him to bridal shows. Hand painting and sculpting cakes is his specialty.

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WINTER 2014

PAGE 11

BUSINESS PROFILE

Midnight magic thrives in cake shop Dad turns hobby into sweet career

BY CASSANDRA ZIMMERMAN Special to the Business Journal

MORRISON – Creativity might be the sweetest ingredient at Matthew Henthorn’s Midnight Cake Shop.

For Henthorn, 32, who once worked in the financial aid office at St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa, baking was simply a hobby that started one day when he made a birthday cake for his daughter.

Then the fever took hold.

“I started out doing cakes at night while working full time, and that is where the name Midnight Cake Shop was taken from,” he said.

“Now, I work at home, and doing this has provided the opportunity to create our

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Matthew Henthorn of the Midnight Cake Shop works on a cake in his Morrison home. What started as a late-night hobby while he worked full time at St. Ambrose University has turned into a home business for Henthorn. own schedules and eventually homeschool our children.”

He and his wife, Monica, 31, a legal secretary, have three children: Cadence, 7, Ophelia,

4, and Judah, almost 2.

Midnight Cake, in business officially since 2011, offers cakes for all occasions, and in a wide variety of flavors, such

as margarita cake with key lime frosting and strawberry daiquiri cake.

Another popular choice: the s’mores cake, made from graham cracker cake with chocolate ganache and toasted marshmallow frosting.

The self-described cake snob prides himself on creating only high-quality confections.

“Everything I create is custom-made to order,” he said.

“I give every customer the best that I can possibly make.”

For instance: “I went through half a dozen recipes for our red velvet cake before I found the perfect one. Instead of cream cheese frosting, ours has an amaretto butter cream frosting. I also do a lot of cake flavors by request, including a Jameson whiskey frosting.”

He also makes flowers, figurines, and cupcakes.

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WINTER 2014

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WINTER 2014

PAGE 13

BUSINESS PROFILE

Small store, big glam at boutique Girlfriends offers handmade jewelry and accessories

BY CINDY PRATT Special to the Business Journal

PROPHETSTOWN – Holly Boricich needed a store from which to sell the jewelry she makes.

Her friend, Cyndee Wildemuth, had a store with nothing in it.

Girlfriends boutique was born.

Boricich handles most of the day-to-day business of running the store, while Wildemuth keeps an eye out for new products and lends a hand when needed.

Girlfriends might be small, but it’s full of everything a girl could need or want.

“ L e t U s L i f t Yo u ”

Cindy Pratt/Special to the Business Journal

Holly Boricich makes jewelry to be sold at Girlfriends, a boutique at 338 Washington St. in Prophetstown. The store is open Tuesday through Saturday.

The shop, at 338 Washington St., offers a large variety of jewelry, most of it made by

Boricich, and a small selection of clothing, handbags, scarves, creams, lotions,

soaps, potpourri and more.

The inventory changes continually to reflect what customers want, and the clothing is mostly American made and bought in small lots to allow for more variety.

The creams, soaps and lotions are made by Midnight Perfumery in Moline, which uses organic ingredients whenever possible and no petroleum.

Boricich also repairs jewelry and holds classes in jewelry making.

The workroom also is available to rent for anyone who wants to hold a crafting class or a meeting.

Girlfriends is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Call 815-989-6019 or find it in Facebook for more information.

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WINTER 2014

We wish you a Merry Christmas and Warm Wishes for a Happy Holiday Season

All the best to you and yours this special time of year

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SPECIALTY

Magazines

Weddings

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2014

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A Colo Co orful u

201 4

Nor thw este and rn I Eas tern llinoi s Iow a

HEALTH WELLNESS

2014-2015

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Voyag‘14er-‘15

A guide to o activities in Northern Nor Illinois and Easte rn Iowa

Fall 2014 Loo ook att Life e Afte ter 50

Business Journal Sauk Valley

Vol. 16, No. 2

GOLFING

Summer 2013

Sauk Valley Media

HIS JOB IS TREE-MENDOUS

Taste PRIDE the

A Guide to Achievements

BOOMERS

in our Local High Schools

Fall 20 14

2014 - 2015

Cover story: Oregon arborist

shares his love of the woods –

Pages 12-14

Also inside • New owner for Folsom’s Bakery doors • Magnuson Hotel opens its • Sterling Centers boosts businesses • Profile of Twigs & Sprigs • Local bicycle shop expands • Custom-made primitives

Published by Sauk Valley Media

Sauk Valley Media publishes different magazines geared toward different interests.

The magazines are TOTALLY FREE and will be sent to you in the mail.

To request your FREE copy, email your requests to: kweinstock@saukvalley.com

WINTER 2014

SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

PAGE 15

BUSINESS PROFILE

High demand for village antiques No-name store a perfect hobby for laid-back duo

BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525

FRANKLIN GROVE – It’s so laid back, it doesn’t even have a name.

Dale Stinnett and Kim Meyer, both of Lyndon, opened an antique store at 217 Lincoln Highway, next to Casey’s General Store, in April.

It’s the perfect hobby for them.

“We like to collect antiques and sell them,” Meyer said.

That includes a wide variety, Stinnett explained.

“We get everything from

Alex T. Paschal/apaschal@saukvalley.com

Dale Stinnett and Kim Meyer, both of Lyndon, opened an antique store at 217 Lincoln Highway, Franklin Grove, next to Casey’s General Store, in April. While the store is open about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, the hours are loose. auctions, flea markets, and garage sales,” Stinnett said.

“We buy it and we turn around and sell it. This is a

hobby for us.”

“We have so much of it, and you only have so much room,” Meyer added.

The store is open from about 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday and Saturday, although those hours may vary. There’s no phone number, and no Facebook page.

And that’s just the way the pair likes it.

“Whenever we get here, we are here,” said Stinnett, who also runs a salvage yard.

“If the antique sign is out and stuff is outside, we are open.”

Their limited schedule hasn’t been a problem.

“There is so much traffic on this road each day,” he said.

“If we throw some junk outside, you can hear tires squealing because people are stopping.”

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SAUK VALLEY BUSINESS JOURNAL

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WINTER 2014

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WINTER 2014

PAGE 17

BUSINESS PROFILE

G’s team comes in from the cold Food truck owners move inside bar

BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525

STERLING – Anyone who wants to get a burger from G’s Food Truck will no longer have to battle the elements to get one.

That’s because the restaurant, now named G’s, has moved into Peterson’s Bullseye Bar, 103 W. Third St., in Sterling.

G’s co-owners Tony Garza and Stephen Gladhill prepare all the food sold at Bullseye.

Garza and Gladhill, both of Sterling, were childhood friends. They named the restaurant G’s for the first letter in their last names.

Garza, 28, said that when

Michael Krabbenhoeft/mkrabbenhoeft@saukvalley.com

G’s has moved from its food truck to the Peterson Bullseye Bar and Grill kitchen in Sterling. Tony Garza (from left), 28, Stephen Gladhill, 28, and Brian Tucker, 32, all from Sterling, have successfully run G’s for about a year. the food truck was set up near County Market grocery, customers had to order and eat their food out in the cold.

“With the food truck, when it would drop below 40 degrees, my equipment wouldn’t stay hot, and who wants to stand

out in the freezing cold to eat food?” Garza said.

Now that he is indoors, Garza can make the type of food he wants.

The menu includes monster fries topped with pulled pork; Irish fries, topped with bacon, cheese sauce and jalapenos; and the Rambo burger, which includes pulled pork, bacon and onion fritters.

Gladhill, 28, said the food truck has been around for only about a year.

“The food truck was the first step toward owning a restaurant,” Gladhill said.

“We’ve done graduation parties, banquet parties and things like that,” Gladhill said.

Orrie Peterson, owner of Peterson’s Bullseye Bar, said having G’s in his establishment is good for everyone.

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PAGE 19

BUSINESS PROFILE

New Sterling car shop gets cookin’ Vehicle repair service opens

BY JERMAINE PIGEE jpigee@saukvalley.com 800-798-4085, ext. 5525

STERLING – Josh Cook has a big passion for engines.

“I would take an engine over a woman any day,” Cook said.

“They are just as beautiful.

“When I was younger, I mowed people’s lawns just because [the lawnmower] had an engine. I did it for free.”

Cook opened Cook’s Quick Lube and Auto Repair, 1901 E. Fourth St., in October in the former Steve’s Auto Sales & Quick Lube site.

The 25-year-old Sterling native has been around engines his whole life, and is thrilled to finally have his own

Philip Marruffo/pmarruffo@saukvalley.com

Josh Cook (center) is the owner of Cook’s Quick Lube and Auto Repair in Sterling. Hayden Kramer is his mechanic, and his sister, Danielle Cook, is one of two office managers. Christie Haugen (not pictured) is the other. All are from Sterling. shop, he said.

He offers a wide variety of services. In addition to oil changes, brake repair, tire work and

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the usual vehicle repair, Cook’s also provides 24-hour roadside assistance, and a pick-up-anddelivery service.

“I will go pick their car up from their house or work while they are working, and I will service it and bring it back to them,” Cook said. “People have to work, and since they may not have the time, we can pick up the car, service it, and bring it to them.”

For those who wait on site, though, “I put a TV in the customer lounge, and people can have a fresh cup of coffee when they come in,” he said.

Curbside service also will be provided. When the temps are frigid, customers can just pull up and honk their horns, and he will come popping out.

“I can come out and check your tire pressure, so you don’t have to sit in the cold,” he said.

And, in addition to regular weekday business hours, Cook’s also is open Saturday and Sunday.

OWNER/AGENT

Dixon, Sterling and Rock Falls

“Professional Advice From Trusted Friends”

815-625-5526

815/626-2511 • 815/288-7211 Email: servicemasterclean@comcast.net

www.gogreenwithclean.com

Liberty Court Assisted Senior Living & Memory Care

Everyone deserves a Great Life. We enrich the lives of our residents, families and employees by enhancing their experiences every day

“I welcome your calls and would love you to visit Liberty Court.

You’ll discover why we win awards...our people care.”

Ann Barlow, EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATOR 815.285.2000

124 Liberty Court, Dixon, IL 815.285.2000