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We're excited to inaugurate a new series for our Patch Readers: "Dispatches: The Changing American Dream." Every day, the national media is full of stories about how American families, businesses, and neighbors are adjusting to these trying times. There are so many changes happening so fast that it's dizzying: national debates about unemployment, foreclosures, debt, religion, government and private enterprise all touch on fundamental ways in which we see ourselves and our communities. At Patch, we want to explore that conversation on a daily basis so we can better understand how our neighbors are adjusting to the challenges and opportunities that surround us. We don't think there's one American Dream, but a multitude of American Dreams which a multitude of people are working toward. Looking out across nearly almost 900 Patch sites, we see businesses holding their breath deciding whether to expand; college graduates returning home because they can't find jobs; and senior citizens bringing boarders into their homes to help pay their bills. We also see bold new volunteer efforts, inspiring stories of local businesses that succeed because they innovated, and locals who've taken these trying times as a signal to engage more, not less, in their government. At the purely local level, we want to know where we, as Woodridge neighbors, fit along these fault lines. "Dispatches" will be built upon the compelling vignettes and snapshots we unearth across all of our Patch sites. And, of course, we want your help: Tell us what issues and what stories in Woodridge go to the heart of your American Dream.Enrollment at Woodridge's only private school remains stable, despite the economy. St. Scholastica School, which opened 49 years ago, is a Catholic school attached to St. Scholastica Parish along Janes Avenue. There are 280 students enrolled in St. Scholastica in grades K-8 for this school year. Tuition is $3,525 a year per student, though multichildren discounts and financial aid are available. Despite the economy, enrollment has remained consistent. "St. Scholastica is considered one of the most stable schools in our Diocese," said Principal Gail Kueper.. "We have a very dedicated and …
Downers Grove and Woodridge saw an increase in home sales in August 2011 compared with August 2010, but those homes sold for less. Home sales across the west and south Chicago suburbs rose 27 percent in August from August 2010. It's the second month of major gains in home sales, according to the Mainstreet Organization of REALTORS.®. Woodridge and Downers Grove saw an even better increase. Downers Grove home sales rose 69 percent, from 26 homes in August 2010 to 44 in August 2011. Woodridge homes sales rose 30 percent, from 13 homes in August 2010 to 17 in August …
During a busy week with food collections at Jewel stores, executive director Barbara Schmith took the time to talk more about the Western Suburban Food Pantry that is located right in Woodridge. Patch: How has the economy affected the pantry? Schmith: Our numbers have, indeed, increased. In February of this year we served 2,683 clients; in May that number was 3,109; in August it was 4,030. We have been advised by Northern Illinois Food Bank that government commodities have been cut by 50 percent for the coming year. For us, this means a loss of 100,000 pounds of free food. We will have to …
Empty storefronts. They're a sign of turnover, of businesses coming and going. In recent years, their prevalence has been a sad reminder of a tough economy. Woodridge has 19 shopping centers and an overall retail vacancy rate of 5.6 percent, according to village officials. That rate can range from 0 percent to 51.08 percent across Woodridge. Where are the empty storefronts? Which centers are keeping storefronts occupied? Get a look at all 19 shopping centers, their locations and vacancy rates through this gallery. See the centers with no vacancies here. Check out the five shopping centers …
Woodridge's 19 shopping centers organized by vacancy rate from highest to lowest. Official name Businesses include… Vacancy rate Available square feet Total square feet Janes Plaza Capri D’Amici, 7-Eleven 51.08% 8,480 16,600 Sherwin Williams Plaza Sherwin Williams 44.76% 3,996 8,928 Woodridge Marketplace AJ’s Woodridge Wine & Liquor 24.98% 2,135 8.547 Main Street at Seven Bridges Cabana Charley’s, Buffalo Wild Wings 18.64% 12,534 67,251 Hobson Road Plaza The Riding Store, Art ‘N Frame 17.93% 5,900 32,900 The Center on Seven Bridges Drive Starbucks, Cold Stone 16.60% 3,319 20,000 Woodridge …
One in a continuing series on the state of the American Dream in Woodridge. MicroSun officials and state Sen. Kirk Dillard touted the opening of MicroSun’s Woodridge corporate headquarters last week as the realization of the American dream. “The overwhelming achievement of MicroSun is a job creation success story for Illinois, which sadly have been far too infrequent in recent years,” Dillard said in an office press release. The new 100,000-square-foot headquarters are located at 1200 Internationale Parkway. “MicroSun is a true Illinois start-up story,” said founder Alan ElShafei at the …
Long-time residents remember when the movie theater in Woodgrove Festival Shopping Center wasn't called Hollywood Blvd. -- it was called GCC Cinema 6. The building that houses Noodles & Company, Qdoba Mexican Grill and T-Mobile Limited? That was Olson Rug. Woodgrove Festival Shopping Center has seen plenty of businesses come and go since it opened in 1984. Just in the past few years, Jameson’s Charhouse took the spot of Bennigan’s. Hollywood Blvd. turned the vacant space left from Coldstone into its ticket lobby. Maurices recently replaced Jones of New York. On Friday, Five Below will open in…
While homes and condos are selling in Woodridge, they're still selling for less. Steve Kranz of Kranz Real Estate said his agency is down one in sales from last year -- 84 in 2011, down from 85 in 2010. But pricing for those sales has dropped 15 percent, Kranz said. The average sale price last year was $289,000. This year, it's $245,700. That's a much bigger drop than what Chicagoland is experiencing as a whole, Kranz said. While fewer homes are being sold (sales are down 13.6 percent) prices have dropped only 3.4 percent. "So we're selling homes in Woodridge but getting less money for them…
Dan Peboontom purchased his Woodridge home on July 16, the same day his daughter was born. His family decided to move from their two-bedroom, one-bath Bolingbrook townhouse because they needed extra space for their two children.With home prices much lower than they were five years ago, Peboontom and his family were in luck. They settled on a four-bedroom, 1.5-bath home on Young Court, within walking distance from Peboontom’s job as athletic supervisor at the Woodridge Park District.The price? $230,000.It’s a home Peboontom’s family could not have afforded in the past.“A few years ago, it …
