Friday, November 23, 2012
Why order a hot dog when you can have a fowler?
There are two menus at Little Louie's at 1342 Shermer Rd. in Northbrook — one with standard burgers and hot dogs and everything else you would expect from a fast food joint. The other menu is less typical, offering items called McLovin, Ace Ventura and La Bubba Rosa. The weird wall of sandwiches at Little Louie's has about 20 different items inspired by flavors, movies and whatever else might be on owner Peter Weiss's mind at the time. "Everything that up there is good and it sells," Weiss said. "Some people come in and just order off the wall." The 45-year-old business hasn't always offered quirky, movie-inspired sandwiches. Weiss came up with the idea after he bought the restaurant 15 years ago. "I'm all about flavors," Weiss said. "…
Sunday, November 18, 2012
D.D.Dive practices what it preaches, first teaching people how to dive, then taking them literally around the world to explore a different world under water.
What is D.D. Dive Shop doing at 1035 Waukegan Road, smack dab in the middle of downtown landlubbin’ Glenview? The north end of a branch of the Chicago River trickles through town just 1 ½ blocks south, too shallow to scuba dive. Isn’t Lake Michigan, 2 ½ miles east, too dark, murky and cold to scuba dive? And didn’t the only weekly show, “Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea,” airing late Saturday nights on ME-TV and featuring regular scuba-diving scenes, produce its last new program early in 1968? Not a problem for D.D. Dive (standing for the “Dive! Dive! Dive!” command by sub commanders when they order the boat submerged) owner Ralph Naruszewicz. In his view, he’s open for business in just the right place. “There are plenty of places to go …
Friday, November 16, 2012
The Organic Gardener also works with schools, restaurants and nonprofits.
Glencoe's The Organic Gardener has built 500 gardens around the Chicago area and provided advice for more than 1,000 more, but it all started in Jeanne Pinsof Nolan's parents' backyard. A Winnetka native, Nolan spent 17 years working on organic farms around the country after graduating from New Trier High School. "When I was 17, I was struck with a fierce case of idealism and wanting to change the world," Nolan said. "I really went searching for a life that was focused on addressing some of the problems with the environment and society, particularly in relation to the earth and the way it was being destroyed on so many levels." Nolan's mother found her an apprenticeship program at a commune in Southern California, and when she returned …
The Spa for Dogs owner built her Northbrook business one dog at a time.
In an office space where insurance agents once consulted with their customers, near the intersection of Dundee and Waukegan Roads, the clientele are now told to sit, stay and “shush!” But Sharon Thalmann, owner of the Spa For Dogs, wouldn’t have it any other way. A Northbrook small business owner, Thalmann started her enterprise as a one woman operation that offered mobile dog grooming. Back then, she travelled to her customer’s homes to deliver doggie makeovers. Then she opened the spa at 819 Waukegan Road. “It was a big jump... a big thing,” said Thalmann, who used to travel through all weather conditions in order to service her clients and their Cockapoos. Now, with a brick and mortar locale, she employs five dog groomers under one …
Friday, November 9, 2012
Craig Williams' Dr. Caw Recording mixes music and more while constantly adapting to the changing, media landscape.
Craig Williams’ Northbrook-based recording studio is closely linked to his love of rock n' roll. That love stretches back to Williams' youth in the mid 1960s, a time when his first band started cranking out Beatle-esque music in garages and basements in Michigan. Almost half a century later, musicians seem to be blasting the same music in Williams' studio, though it is sounds a lot more polished now. The 59-year-old small business owner has been helping musicians produce, perfect, and, most recently promote, their recordings for 37 years. William’s co-founded Dr. Caw Recording in 1975 with a friend, Dave Roberts, who was referred to as “doctor” because of his initials. Combining Roberts’ initials with those of Williams, they created “Dr. …
Sunday, November 4, 2012
Dianne Weller's online ornament shops make Northbrook the North Pole of the North Shore.
Millions of people toil a few days, or more, every year in order to make their homes look just right for the holidays. But a local entrepreneur, Dianne Weller, makes the holidays just right year round with her two online businesses, christmasornaments.com and ornamentshop.com. The first enterprise is self-explanatory. The second, however, is dedicated to those who seek ornaments that allow one to decorate with a personalized touch. And not just for the year end holidays, but in fall, on Halloween, Valentine’s Day and beyond. Weller got her start in the businesses 30 years ago, when she was selling her products in booths at fundraisers, Junior League events and not-for-profit shows. “One year we did 25 shows, from coast to coast,” Weller…
Moe @ the Buck
8:39 am on Saturday, November 24, 2012
My favorite is the dirty Sanchez, Inspired by Mr Sanchez himself. more ›