Shop Carpentersville

Over the past year or so, I’ve read — and you probably have too — comments about going to other towns to shop, etc because they can not find what they need in Carpentersville.

To that I say, horse-puckey!

I find plenty of shopping, dining and service options in town.  And, depending on where I am, what I need and/or what I feel like at the moment, I find places all over Carpentersville.

For instance, I regularly shop Woodman’s.  They have just about anything I could imagine wanting in the way of grocery.  On produce, though, the Village Fresh Market can’t be beat.  (Sorry, Woodman’s but your quality just doesn’t cut it.  Of course, if you’re an employee of Woodman’s, let me request that you — as an owner — do something to change that.)

If I have a home improvement project that I need to do, and I know exactly what I want and need, I usually go to Menard’s to get it (I like the prices a bit more than Home Depot).  But, there have been times that I’ve wanted a bit of help with what I needed to do, so I’ve hit Ace Hardware, where I can usually count on a knowledgeable answer, or someone willing to spend a little extra time helping me figure out the answer.

Food is often an easy choice, especially fast food.  Even though “sit down” is harder to find in town these days with Friday’s and Famous Dave’s gone to seemingly greener pastures, there are some options that I occasionally take.

For example, El Molino has to be one of the best authentic Mexican restaurants in the area.  Every time I go, no matter what I order, it’s good.  Village Pizza is great.  Love the onion, green pepper, tomato and fresh garlic!

If I’m in a fast food mood, but want to sit down, I like Culver’s.  And, Garibaldi’s sandwiches are great!  Ooo, and I love that chicken from Popeye’s.

Two newer adds that I think were very welcome:  White Castle and Jamba Juice.  (Scary to put those two together in the same sentence, considering they seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum — but they serve each other, after a slyder, its probably a good idea to detoxify.)

If I am in the mood for pizza, but want it quick, Little Caesar’s usually fits the bill quite nicely, since I can pick up a “hot and ready” pizza; especially if I’m in the neighborhood.   And, there’s Panda Express for a quick lunch bite.

Some of my other favs though have to be Van’s Frozen Custard and Vinnie and Joe’s Cafe.

But, I’ll confess that I don’t do all my shopping and dining in Carpentersville.  Walmart, Target, and some other specialty stores draw me outside.  Kohl’s gets my business, as do other shops in the mall.

Still, there are just too many options available in Carpentersville to believe that anyone is forced to shop for much outside the Village.

I encourage you to help support the town with your sales tax dollars, which could encourage other stores and businesses to locate in town. Make every effort to Shop Carpenterville.

Have I missed any of your favorites places to shop, dine or whatever else?  If so, let me know in the comments.

Christmastime is here? Already?!

As a kid, I recall waiting anxiously for the Sears catalog to arrive in the mail.  When it finally arrived, I would grab it — along with a few sheets of paper — flip toward the back where the toy section was, and then go page-by-page writing down the toys I wanted on my list to Santa Claus.

If I remember right, that was sometime just before Thanksgiving.  My list wouldn’t be completed until sometime after Thanksgiving, however.  It, of course, had to go through revisions.

Also excitement surrounded Thanksgiving morning.  I would wake up in time to be in front of the TV for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (which was carried live in those days) … and to catch the first Christmas commercials that signaled the beginning of the season.

Unfortunately, those days are gone.  Now, stores begin to set up their Christmas displays and prepare for the added gift inventory … sometimes before Halloween has arrived!  Radio station, WLIT 93.9FM, began playing Christmas music 24/7 on November 1st.

The Courier-News reported that Spring Hill Mall will hold Radio Disney’s Santa Jam … this weekend!

The Santa Jam with Radio Disney will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the West Dundee mall’s center court.

Santa will arrive at Woodfield Mall on Thursday, November 15:

WELCOME SANTA TO WOODFIELD ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 15 AT 11:30AM!
Bring your children to Macy’s Court next Thursday, November 15th at  11:30 a.m. to participate in Santa’s Arrival Parade.

Retailers have continued to extend the Christmas season — unofficially labeled “Christmas Creep” — in hopes of being able to help their bottom line, especially due to consumers already feeling pinched by credit card debt, mortgage woes, and increases in fuel and food prices.

But, I will admit that I am planning to have at least 99% of my shopping done before Thanksgiving, so that I can slow down and truly enjoy the Christmas season; listening to Christmas music, putting up decorations, listening to Christmas music, and meeting with friends and family…

For me, though, the Christmas season still doesn’t really arrive until Santa guides his sleigh and reindeer down the street at the end of the Thanksgiving Day Parade.