Story posted Thursday, January 28, 2010
Taste Of Arlington Hts.?
Chamber Wants To Make Event A Reality, Extend Million Bash
By TIM O'CONNOR Journal & Topics Reporter
The Arlington Hts. Chamber of Commerce wants to start a Taste of Arlington Hts. and extend the Mane Event to two days.
Joseph Favia, new chamber board president, outlined the plan during the Chamber's Installation Dinner on Thursday, Jan. 21.
Executive Director Jon Ridler said there has been talk for several years about adding Saturday to the Mane Event, a large block party in downtown Arlington Hts. held the day before the Arlington Million horse race. But this might be the year it actually happens.
"It seems like it's doable this year," Ridler said. "We've got all the infrastructure set and it's just a matter of getting it together."
He said Saturday events would take place after the Arlington Million, which is scheduled for Aug. 21.
"What we want to do is attract that crowd back downtown for an after party," he said.
Downtown businesses and restaurants, which benefit from the increase in visitors, had been asking for the additional day, Ridler said.
But extending the Mane Event wasn't the only plan Favia had for helping out Arlington Hts. businesses. He also talked about creating a Taste of Arlington Hts. to feature local restaurants.
Ridler said he and Favia have been working on the idea since before the announcement.
"The idea is really to bring the community together to really showcase the different restaurants and the different café-type places in Arlington Hts.," Ridler said.
The food showcase would take place sometime in the fall after the Arlington Million. Details have not yet been worked out.
"It's still an idea until we get the restaurants on board and get everything together and get a location for it," Ridler said.
The following businesses won awards during the dinner:
Business of the year: Northwest Community Hospital
Emerging business: Tuscan Market and Wine Shop
Business leader: Laurie Mitchell, Metropolis Performing Arts Centre
Business Volunteer: Mark Stevens, Innovative Healthcare Concepts
President's awards: Tim Corrigan of Corrigan Consulting and Jack Macholl of Wisdom Bridge Marketing, LLC
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