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Larc Jewelers Celebrates 40th Anniversary in Glen Ellyn

The oldest jewelry store in Glen Ellyn is holding a special celebration through Saturday.

When Wes Barrow first started working in the jewelry business 22 years ago, he had no idea it would become his career—let alone that one day he would own his own store. Barrow, the owner of Larc Jewelers, is celebrating the business’ 40th Anniversary this year and kicking off the celebration with a weekend filled with promotions at his downtown Glen Ellyn store.  While Larc is celebrating its 40th anniversary and is the oldest jewelry store in Glen Ellyn, Barrow has been the owner since 2001. Barrow began working at Larc when he was 22, he said. The Glen Ellyn store was opened by its former owners and was originally called Larc Jewelers West. Until last spring, the store was north of the train tracks in downtown Glen Ellyn at 413 Main St. …

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AliKat Ready for Holiday Shoppers with Expanded Space, Product Lines

AliKat Boutique is in it's sixth year of business in Glen Ellyn. This is the time of year when business gets crazy and fun for owner Sandy Moore.

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AliKat Ready for Holiday Shoppers with Expanded Space, Product Lines

AliKat Boutique is in it's sixth year of business in Glen Ellyn. This is the time of year when business gets crazy and fun for owner Sandy Moore.

Now is the time that Sandy Moore looks forward to. The holiday shopping season is here and things get a little bit crazy but in a good way. For six years, Moore’s business AliKat has been offering shoppers in Glen Ellyn distinctive items not found in department stores or shops downtown. As the store celebrated its sixth anniversary this year, it also celebrated its expansion, taking over some additional space that allowed Moore to bring in new products, expand product lines and provide dressing rooms for customers. The boutique now feels more organized and customer friendly, she said. “I would like people who may have not visited us in a while, I want them to come in and see us,” Moore said. After 20 years in the financial service industry…

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Opening Soon: Blackberry Market Bringing Fast, Fresh, Casual Dining Downtown

Blackberry Market, which is expected to open in mid-December, will offer fresh, homemade food and a market space.

GiaVia Sweets Rolling Food Truck Business into Glen Ellyn

Beginning Wednesday, GiaVia Sweets will sell cupcakes and French macaron one day a week in Glen Ellyn.

Cupcakes are coming to Glen Ellyn. The Village of Glen Ellyn’s Board of Trustees has put the frosting on the cake for GiaVia Sweets, allowing the business to bring its hot pink cupcake truck to town. This will be the first food truck to set up shop in Glen Ellyn. The board approved a temporary itinerant business license allowing GiaVia Sweets to sell its products one day a week from Nov. 21 through March 1, 2013. Starting next week, GiaVia Sweets will be able to park its truck in the Advanced Auto Parts parking lot at 696 Roosevelt Road from 3 to 6 p.m. every Wednesday. The cupcake truck is allowed to use two parking spaces in the lot. The father-daughter team of Carl and Carli Curatola run the business. The pair worked in the food …

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Dan Smith, Jr.

11:45 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012

How soon til they get harassed like the hot dog guy?   more ›

How Early is Too Early for Christmas Shopping?

It used to be Black Friday was for the earliest of early shoppers. Not anymore. Look around. The stores are ready now.

Look around the Chicago area and you'll see all the signs: The early birds no longer wait until Black Friday to do their Christmas shopping. This year, Black Friday is on Nov. 23, but big retailers and mail-order companies are starting well in advance. Amazon, for example, is beginning its Black Friday on Nov. 14. Crazy or crazy smart? Just how early is too early to shop for Christmas 2012 gifts? Take our poll.

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