Business

Member Spotlight - Attorney Denise DeBelle

I have fifteen years experience in state and federal court and in a variety of administrative forums. I am proud of my successes in assisting those whose rights have been violated! Education, Memberships, Awards, and Community Service ♦ J.D., IIT-Kent College of Law ♦ B.A. (Urban Planning), University of Illinois, Urbana ♦ Member, National Employment Lawyers Association - Illinois ♦ Member, Chicago Bar Association, Illinois State Bar Association ♦ Certificate of Recognition from the Illinois House of Representatives for efforts in passing House Bill 2030 (1998) ♦ Board member, Rogers Park Business Alliance (2009- present ) • Member, Business Partners for Uptown and West Ridge Chamber of Commerce • President, Indian Boundary Park Advisory Council (2007-2008) • Pro bono attorney, Amicus Polonia (10+ years) Learn more here>>

Posted on August 01, 2011

SP Kebab offers taste of Europe

By Megan Millard for rogerspark.com. It’s not a gyro place. In fact, it’s not even a place you could compare to the hundreds and hundreds of other restaurants in Chicago. Tucked away in at the intersection of Pratt and Sheridan with vacant lots on either side, SP Kebab offers a taste of Europe that its owners say is unique. Peter and his wife decided to open the restaurant together. “One of the first things we did was we painted the walls orange,” she said. “We didn’t have any signs or advertisements outside that we were opening soon.”
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Posted on July 01, 2011

North Side’s Small Business Development Fund Gets Rolling

After she and her husband invested over $70,000 into their start up car detailing business, Rolling Clean Car Wash, Mrs. Denise Buckman-Morris and her husband Kevin Morris were almost ready to open their doors. However, they realized they needed some working capital to get the operation off the ground. Having been members of the North Side Community Federal Credit Union (North Side) in the Uptown neighborhood for several years, they became aware of the new Small Business Development Fund (SBDF). In June 2011, they closed on a $15,000 loan to help with marketing, salary and general operation costs for the business, which is located in Chicago’s Austin Community.
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Posted on July 01, 2011

Member Feature

Smarty Pets Inc. is owned and operated by Rogers Park resident, Tyra Schutt. Tyra has over 35 years of animal care experience, beginning as a child in rural America. She has trained and cared for dogs, horses, cattle, cats, rabbits, rats, mice, gerbils, hamsters, as well as many other small furry creatures! “Animals are very intuitive,” she says. “They can see through the surface to the real you. This helps in caring for pets, because they know they are going to be loved and cared for.” Learn more about Smarty Pets right here>>

Posted on June 27, 2011

Rogers Park Builders Group Newsletter

Rogers Park Builders Group (RPBG) is a non-profit grassroots organization that serves as a networking resource for landlords, real estate professionals, and developers. The mission of RPBG is to promote responsible ownership, property management, development, and maintain affordability within a dynamic and ethnically and financially diverse community. Our newsletter is produced three times a year and reaches over 1600 people familiarizing them with opportunities and success within our unique and diverse neighborhood. Click here to read newsletter>>

Posted on May 12, 2011

Spring Chase 5K @ Heartland this Sunday May 15th

Athletes United for Peace and Heartland Cafe present SPRING CHASE 5K Sunday May 15th. Promoting friendship & Peace through sport. Meet @ Heartland Cafe 7000 N Glenwood by 8:00 AM RUN FOR FREE Post race breakfast.
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Posted on May 11, 2011

Spotlight - John Tebbens, Certified Kayak Instruction

Learn it - I’ll teach you! Learning how to get your kayak to do exactly what you want it to do and when, allows you to enjoy a freedom and sense of comfort on the water you have to feel to believe. You can learn to Eskimo roll and other forms of self-rescue. You can learn forward and racing strokes, support and reverse strokes, ruddering and draw strokes and then seamlessly flow them together with a grace that allows you to read subtle water patterns and catch an exhilarating ride surfing waves forward, backwards and sideways if you’d like. If you are beginning and terrified or an old dog wanting to learn new tricks or improve your stroke, you are in the right place to learn with comfort, confidence and ease. There is no better way to directly address your needs than with private instruction from a certified kayak instructor who wants to see you smile that big smile when you amaze yourself with your own skill and grace. Learn more about John and how to kayak here>>

Posted on May 11, 2011

Rogers Park Business and Artist Network Ten Year Anniversary Wed, May 11th

Think back to May, 2001. The nation had a new President who many feel stole the election. The federal government was enjoying a surplus. A facebook was something we might show to our children while putting them to bed. The price of gas was (inflation adjusted) $1.61. Osama Bin Laden? Few people knew who he was, but he was alive. Ten years later - how much has changed! One morning back in May, 2001 a group of local business people and artists* thought that Rogers Park needed a networking organization uniquely suited to this neighborhood. They spoke with Heartland Cafe owner Michael James who agreed to host the meeting and serve breakfast. Around 15 - 20 locals showed up with the goal being to get to know each other, what each other does professionally, and to learn about other community endeavors others were involved in. People exchanged business cards. New friendships and business relationships were established. Read Mike's full article here>>>

Posted on May 09, 2011

Rogers Park RE/MAX NorthCoast merges with Lakeview RE/MAX Edge

CHICAGO, May 1, 2010 – After nearly 25 years of being the only real estate office in Rogers Park specializing in the Rogers Park community, Connie Abels, Broker/Owner announces the merger of her office into RE/MAX Edge, an established RE/MAX office in Lakeview. The move creates a stronger real estate brokerage, one that benefits from a large group of talented real estate agents and the lower overhead costs that come with operating one office instead of two. “I am not leaving Rogers Park. I live here, work here and play here. This is my community.” Abels said.
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Posted on April 29, 2011

Member Spotlight - Metropolis Coffee

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Posted on April 12, 2011

A Taste of RogersEdge - April 14th

Tickets Now Available! A Taste of RogersEdge, Featuring More Than 20 Restaurants A Taste of RogersEdge will be on Thursday, April 14th from 5 to 9 p.m. Registration will be held at The Morgan at Loyola Station, 1209 W. Arthur (5 to 8 p.m.) Presented by Loyola University Chicago, the Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, and Rogers Park Business Alliance, a Taste of RogersEdge is a walking crawl celebrating a world of flavors from a diverse mix of restaurants in Rogers Park and Edgewater. This year's Taste of RogersEdge has over 20 participating restaurants! You probably won't get to them all, so choose your route wisely!
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Posted on April 05, 2011

Spotlight - Gruppo di Amici

Lori Alderete and Phaedra Divras, Rogers Park residents since 2002 opened Gruppo di Amici (1508 W Jarvis) in June 2006. Their vision was to have a place to simply “bring people together” and serve great Roman style Italian food along with a very specialized Wine & Beer List. Everything that is served has been carefully tasted and approved by both owners. The focal point of the dining room is the floor-to-ceiling wood-burning pizza oven. The oven is set in an open display kitchen, giving diners great views of the pizza chef(s) prepping and making the authentic Roman style, thin crust pizzas. In addition to the pizza, the menu includes such favorites as the Capricciosa salad, Sautéed Mussels in a garlic and white wine, tender baby octopus marinated with lemon, capers, kalamata olives and celery, Calzones, Cornish hen served with mushrooms in a white wine sauce and roasted potatoes. There are also several nightly specials prepared daily by the Chef. Website here>>

Posted on March 31, 2011

It’s Sonny in Rogers Park

Bob Spoerl for rogerspark.com Imagine being in the middle of Tahrir Square in Cairo during the recent Egyptian revolution. It’s something that’s not imaginary, but real for Ismail Ibrahim. He was there on Feb. 11. “Never in Egypt did I imagine this would happen,” says the 65-year-old Rogers Park resident. It was a dream come true for him, something that causes the practical businessman to jump up out of his seat. Ibrahim is perhaps best known in the 49th Ward as the owner of Sonny’s Food Store. Ismail’s friends know him as Sonny – in fact, everyone calls him that.
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Posted on February 28, 2011

Rogers Park Builders Group - Quarterly Newsletter

The Rogers Park Builders Group (RPBG) was founded in 1993 by real estate professionals, independent property owners and financial institutions to help the community realize its potential. Joining with the more that 60 community groups in the area, RPBG has been a catalyst for initiatives ranging from neighborhood revitalization to obtaining exposure in the media for the area’s cultural, architectural, and artistic heritage. RPBG_Winter_2011_FINAL.pdf

Posted on February 14, 2011

North Side Community FCU’s New Branch in Rogers Park + Event Photos!

The North Side Community Federal Credit Union (NSCFCU) on Monday, January 24, 2011 held a “launch luncheon” to kickoff its new joint venture with the Howard Area Community Center (HACC) as part of a unique effort to add affordable banking to the list of social services that are available to residents of Rogers Park, a mixed income neighborhood on Chicago’s far north side.
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Posted on February 14, 2011

Northbrook Bank and Trust Assumes All of the Deposits of Community First Bank

Community First Bank – Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, was closed today by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, which appointed the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) as receiver. To protect the depositors, the FDIC entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Northbrook Bank and Trust Company, Northbrook, Illinois, to assume all of the deposits of Community First Bank – Chicago.
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Posted on February 06, 2011

MANY WAYS TO ENJOY SUPER BOWL SUNDAY IN ROGERS PARK

We surveyed owners and managers of local bars, pubs and restaurants in Rogers Park and came up with a compelling choice of enjoyable options. Support local businesses. Hit 'em all!
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Posted on February 04, 2011

Member Spotlight - Rogers Bark

Rogers Bark is a full-service grooming salon for dogs and cats in Rogers Park. Rogers Bark offers grooming and bathing for all breeds of dogs, as well as AKC-specific haircuts - or we can get more creative with the styling. For cats, we offer baths, haircuts, lion cuts, nail trims and ear cleanings. Rogers Bark also has a unique & eclectic selection of collars, leashes, toys, chews and treats and is a retailer of Solid Gold food and treats. Find out more right here...

Posted on January 29, 2011

CoOffice Connect hosts WordPress Workshop on January 29

CoOffice Connect (http://www.co-officeconnect.com) is hosting a WordPress workshop run by Big Ooga (http://www.bigooga.com) on January 29 from 10:00AM to noon. The class, Hands-on WordPress Workshop: Build It In 2 Hours, is led by Steven Stern of SternData. He has a background as CIO and CTO in association management, higher education, commercial education, franchising, and commercial real estate. This class will be easy to understand and implement. Please bring a laptop, as this will be a hands-on class.
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Posted on January 11, 2011

BizArts January Breakfast at V-Tone Fitness

This month’s breakfast meeting of the Rogers Park Business and Artist Network (RPBizArts) is designed for those of us still figuring out how to implement our New Year’s resolutions to be fit and trim, either through the benefits of a work out gym, or via yoga. One of our neighborhood’s newest and most vibrant new businesses, VTone Fitness, at 1550 West Jarvis, will host the breakfast (actually, the breakfast will be at its new yoga studio, two doors east of VTone’s main entrance.) Its owner, Tony Barbanente, a man whose photo could grace the cover of any Men’s Fitness magazine, will offer us a spirited overview of the merits of health and fitness, and he will explain how VTone can offer you an affordable and supportive environment for achieving this. VTone Fitness 1550 W. Jarvis (go to Yoga studio, immediately east, on Jarvis) Wednesday, January 12, 2011; 7:30AM - 9:30AM $5.00 - includes breakfast

Posted on January 09, 2011