Brilliance in Business Award Winners Announced

DREAM IN COLOR - Co-owners Veronica Van (right) and Nancy Leuer (seated at left) discuss Knitosophy, their newest line of hand-dyed yarn.

TASTEE FREEZ - Owners Teresa and Jeff Riner enjoy the downtown location for their business Tastee Freez, and hope to continue the tradition established by the original West Chicago Tastee Freez in 1955, of bringing quality food and fun to the community.

AUGUSTINO'S ROCK & ROLL DELI -
A commitment to eco-friendly food packaging is a priority for Cathy and Jerry Morellli, owners of Augustino's Rock and Roll Deli in West Chicago.

EXTRA VALUE LIQUORS - After 25 years in business with Extra Value Liquors, John Churillo remains an active member of the community through his service to various civic and educational groups.

BEHINDTHECHAIR.COM - Mark and Mary Gables restored a 1939 building which formerly housed a neighborhood roller rink prior to it standing vacant and becoming a community eyesore. The couple turned it into a sophisticated loft-style space for the headquarters of their cutting-edge business behindthechair.com, which caters to the hair salon industry.

West Chicago, Illinois: November 9, 2009 - A new program introduced this year by the City of West Chicago brings five local businesses to the forefront for recognition. Dream in Color Yarn, Tastee Freez, Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli, Extra Value Liquor, and behindthechair.com, are all winners of the Brilliance in Business Awards and will be in the spotlight at an upcoming City Council meeting where they will be formally acknowledged for their acheivements in one of five specific categories.

Small Business of the Year – Dream in Color Yarn has taken the market for quality hand-painted yarn by storm. The company has evolved from retailing to manufacturing and wholesale distribution through the development of an exciting new product line created through an innovative, breakthrough technique which speaks volumes about the ingenuity, determination and commitment to American manufacturing of co-owners Veronica Van and Nancy Leuer.
Community Image Award - The West Chicago Tastee Freez has been an icon of old-fashioned fun and quality since it first opened in 1955. Through painstaking efforts to refurbish original architecture and signage while modernizing the kitchen and service area, Teresa and Jeff Riner have demonstrated exemplary support of the City’s revitalization efforts and contributed to the image of our historic downtown as a destination rich in heritage and local “flavor.”
Green Initiatives Award – Cathy and Jerry Morelli’s switch to the use of corn-based products for disposable eating utensils and bio-degradable packaging materials for beverage service, as well as other menu items at Augustino’s Rock and Roll Deli, is evidence of the restaurant’s leadership in the eco-friendly dining experience and sets an example for other food service providers. Participation in worldwide public awareness campaigns further serves the green cause.
Community Service Award - Active involvement with the West Chicago Lions Club, Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce and Industry and School District 33’s Foundation for Educational Excellence epitomizes the corporate citizenship of John Churillo, owner of Extra Value Liquor, who believes local business should give back to the community through service.
Economic Development Award – behindthechair.com, a cutting-edge business serving the professional salon industry with original content, resources and education via website and printed publications, has transformed a vacant building and community eyesore into a magnificently creative space and credit to the neighborhood and the City. Residents Mary and Mark Gables’ vision, dedication and investment lovingly restored worthy elements of a 1939 roller rink and created a sleek, loft-style space perfectly suited for their business headquarters.

The City hopes that the formal awards program will build awareness for the level of diversity, creativity and corporate citizenship that epitomizes its business community. "We tip our hats to the five businesses chosen for a 2009 Brilliance in Business Award,” said Mayor Mike Kwasman. “We are proud to have them doing business in West Chicago.”

Special recognition will be held for the winners at the City Council meeting on Monday, November 16, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. which will feature a commemorative video highlighting each of their accomplishments. The video will be made available on this website after November 16th. Additionally, a large wall plaque containing the names of winners will be permanently displayed at City Hall and street banners will also be hung in their honor on Main Street.

For more information about the Brilliance in Business Awards program, visit the business section of this site.

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West Chicago is a diverse, family-oriented community with a rich cultural mix and a proud heritage. It is the first Illinois community established by the railroads and continues to be a convenient transportation hub served by three major rail lines, Illinois' third-busiest airport and three state highways. West Chicago offers award-winning schools, a growing industrial park and convenient access to parks, shopping and restaurants. Additional information can be found on the City's website at www.westchicago.org or by calling Rosemary Mackey directly at (630) 293-2200 x 139.

CITY OF WEST CHICAGO 475 Main Street, West Chicago, Illinois 60185 T - (630) 293-2200 www.westchicago.org