Wheaton Officials Agree Developer Can Build Senior Housing at Courthouse Square

Wheaton City Council members direct staff to prepare an amendment to the Courthouse Redevelopment Project Area Plan and Program to incorporate senior housing at Courthouse Square.

Wheaton City Council voted 5-2 Monday to recommend city staff prepare changes to the Courthouse Square development plan to allow for construction of senior housing on the property. At a public hearing, representatives of the developer, Courthouse Land Development, LLC and the city said the proposed amendments to the 2005 development plan would be legal and in conformance with Tax Increment Financing (TIF) requirements.  Councilman Todd Scalzo said he thinks residents at existing Courthouse Square properties should understand Council’s recommendation does not expand nor limit the developer’s rights. “The question tonight is, ‘Can this be done?’… And the answer to that is, ‘Yes,’” he said. “It does not answer the ultimate question which is…

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Life-Long Love Story Finds its Footing

A childhood romance turned into a life of loss until fate intervened over a decade later.

It’s been an epic romance: puppy love at 12, years of separation, an unlikely reunion and now, maybe, life happily ever after. It started in 1992, with a children’s Christmastime production of “The Nutcracker” by the Colorado Ballet. A 12-year-old Russian boy, Sasha Kozadayev, slipped into the dressing room of Rebecca King and left her a gift. It was Christmas, after all, and the two had been inseparable since meeting a year earlier. Following in the footsteps of every adolescent boy who's ever fallen for a girl and bought her a gift that's just slightly more mature than either of them are, he left Rebecca a necklace, a vial of perfume, and a note. And like every girl, ever, it was the note that held the most significance to Rebecca. It …

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Posh Kids ETC

10:01 pm on Monday, May 14, 2012

Jim I agree 100% with you!!! Rebecca and Sasha have a wonderful story and when you meet them you can see the love they have between them. I have to say, Robert Bykowski is an amazing writer!!   more ›

Wheaton Grand Theater Listed for $599,000

Bank lists Wheaton Grand Theater, 119-127 N. Hale St., with Century 21 Real Estate for $599,000.

Suburban Bank and Trust has entered an agreement to list the Wheaton Grand Theater with two former Wheaton residents for $599,000, commercial banker Rob Siegel said Friday. Cousins Dave Brumfield and Noel Williams, both with Century 21, will market the property at 119-127 N. Hale St. locally, regionally and nationally and also explore a land development option, said Siegel. "Hopefully with them at the rein, we'll have some success," he said. Click to sign up for the Wheaton Patch newsletter After a developer's contract on the property fell through last month, "We decided it would be best to enter into a professional real estate broker," Siegel wrote in an email. Wheaton Mayor Mike Gresk told Patch in March that the future of the theater "…

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Aveda Salon Construction Begins in Downtown Wheaton

Construction begins in downtown Wheaton for Aveda Lifestyle Salon at 109 Main Street.

Construction began this week at 109 Main Street to prepare for an Aveda Lifestyle Salon in downtown Wheaton. Roy and Karen Millonzi, owners at Namasté in downtown Glen Ellyn, bought the City-owned property for $200,000 in February. The couple plans to open the salon and Aveda store in the summer. “The City is pleased to see this internationally respected brand choose downtown Wheaton for its newest location,” said James Kozik, Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Wheaton. “It also puts this property back on the tax rolls, which is good for the City and the entire community.” Roy Millonzi told City Council at a Nov. 7 meeting that Aveda identified downtown Wheaton as a desirable location for one of its Lifestyle …

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Business Beat

Glen Ellyn Mom Leaves Corporate America to Start Niche Decorating Company

For this entrepreneur, it's about using what you have to make a house a home.

Ann Bridgman is the lady to call when a drab home needs an upgrade and for less. About ten years ago, Bridgman found herself needing a refresher. After working in corporate America, Bridgman developed an interest in home decorating and staging when she was at home with her kids. Looking to channel her creative talents, something not commonly rewarded in her previous field, Bridgman began sprucing up her friends' homes. When one friend offered to pay her for her work it was then that Bridgman realized she was an entrepreneur and started her own company.  It started out slow, a one-hour per week job that grew exponentially. Now, Bridgman works with clients about 30-hours each week from all over DuPage County. While some home decorators …

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Jamie Martin

1:17 pm on Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Ann- I'm so happy that your business has blossomed! Congrats on the successful career change.   more ›

New Movie Theater to Create More Than 175 Jobs in Wheaton

Opening later this month in Wheaton's Rice Lake Square, combined restaurant and movie theater, Studio Movie Grill, will provide 175 jobs to local residents, according to a release.

More than 175 people will begin new jobs this month as Studio Movie Grill opens its doors at 301 Rice Lake Square in Wheaton. According to a press release from Studio Movie Grill, the development of the 30,000-square-foot space has already impacted the local economy, as "dozens" of local construction workers have been working to complete the project. The building was formerly a Linens 'N Things store and prior to that, a movie theater. Studio Movie Grill’s Wheaton location will house an eight-screen upscale theater, with Dolby Digital technology and 3D, as well as an expansive menu for in-theater dining, according to the release. As Studio Movie Grill prepares for all the upcoming summer films, the company has begun to hire staff members, …

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Jazz Fest Expected to Continue Without College of DuPage

The chamber of commerce says it still plans to organize a jazz event this summer.

The sixth-annual jazz event in downtown Glen Ellyn will go on this summer despite some recent partnership changes.  The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce released a statement last week that said the show will continue to bring jazz musicians to a garden setting in downtown Glen Ellyn, similar to previous years. This statement was released after Stephen Cummins, director of McAninch Arts Center, posted a press release Thursday evening that stated, "The Glen Ellyn Chamber of Commerce has informed us of its intent to create a new event with an emphasis on raising funds for the chamber." However, the Chamber's announcement goes on to say, "Regrettably, the other members of the committee have chosen not to participate in this popular event this …

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