McHenry Market Pulse: HAUNTED HOUSE….HAYRIDE…CITY RECEIVES $358,840 BIKE PATH GRANT..furniturebyjason..RECREATION CENTER....

MCHENRY AREA JAYCEES HAUNTED HOUSE

It’s that time of year! Construction season is winding down and winter is almost upon us but be sure to take advantage of upcoming community events and support local charities in the process. The McHenry Area Jaycees, which partners with the City of McHenry in its annual Fourth of July Celebration, is hosting its Halloween Haunted House at the Knox Park Barn, off Route 31 and Park Place adjacent to the City’s Skate Park. This is the 30^th year the Jaycees has been hosting the haunted house in the barn. For more information please visit: http://www.mchenryareajaycees.org/. Listed below are hours of operation and pricing information.

DATES: October 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, & Nov 1st
HOURS: 7:30 pm - !!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRICES: Friday and Saturday $10, Thursday and Sunday $8. Save a dollar when you bring a canned food item… donation.

WONDER LAKE SKI TEAM HAUNTED HAYRIDE

When you’re finished walking through the Jaycees Haunted House head over to Petersen Park on McCullom Lake Road and hop on the Haunted Hayride. The Wonder Lake Ski Team donates a portion of admission collected to local food charities. For more details please visit http://wonderlakeskiteam.org/wlski_haunted-hayride-fundraiser.

CITY RECEIVES $358,840 BIKE PATH GRANT!!!!

The City of McHenry, with the assistance of its engineer HR Green, was awarded $358,840 in grant funding to construct a bike path which will connect the existing bike path on Municipal Drive to the City’s recreation center currently under construction, extend through Knox Park to Green Street. It will provide a non-vehicular path incorporating the Municipal and Recreation Center, Knox Park Ball Fields and Tennis Courts, Knox Park Barn and Skate Park and Peter J. Merkel Aquatic Center in addition to the Parks and Recreation/Downtown Maintenance Facility and Water Plant on Green Street.

furniturebyjason!!!!

The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event for furniturebyjason, located at 3314 Pearl Street, www.furniturebyjason.com. Jason and his wife Amy host an array of furniture (tables, shelving and customer orders) at their location immediately east of Veterans Memorial Park. Each piece is handcrafted and design consultation is offered. I encourage you to check out the unique pieces on display. The store adds yet another distinctive element to this area of downtown McHenry and Jason and his wife look forward to becoming active members of the community!

CONSTRUCTION OF THE RECREATION CENTER CONTINUES…OPENING DATE SPRING 2016!!!

What began in early summer of this year is progressing into the phase one of the City of McHenry Recreation Center. The recreation center will consolidate the numerous parks and recreation classes and programs which are currently held at the Municipal Center, as well as at other facilities throughout the City. The City has been saving since 1999, depositing 50% of all park developer donations into a Recreation Center Construction Fund. As a result no tax dollars are being utilized to fund the construction of the facility. While the 18,200 square foot building constitutes the initial phase of a larger recreation campus future phases will include a gymnasium to the north of the building currently being constructed as well as an aquatic component to the west. The entire site has been master planned to incorporate the Peter J. Merkel Aquatic Center, McHenry Skate Park and Knox Park. Below are photographs depicting the progression of the recreation center construction beginning in July of this year through the first week of October.

Please help us keep our community vibrant and strong to the greatest extent practical for businesses, residents and visitors alike! The City Council is continually evaluating ways to assist in promoting business, tourism, community events and service! Economic development is an ongoing effort the City is committed to but is also a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is a part of it benefits!

November 21, 2015 Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting

November 28, 2015 is Small Business Saturday

Coming in future blog posts:

What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?

Small Business Saturday…November 28, 2015

Free Business Resources

Exploring New Marketing Opportunities to promote business attraction, retention and expansion…

2015 Year in Review….

International Council of Shopping Centers Conference

How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?

What are Class A, B and C spaces?

Franchising? What is it? What companies offer it and what challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates exclusively using franchising?