Author: Mike Bendinelli
Long Grove named one of the 10 best Christmas towns in America!
This winter, while the days run short and the wind blows cold, historic downtown Long Grove’s merchants need you the most. Our variety of small, family-owned boutiques, restaurants, and services make our town an ideal destination for a memorable winter day or night out with friends or family. Looking for some new winter threads? Check […]
Two of our historic downtown Long Grove businesses were included in a feature story on The Barrington Scoop about places to find locally made Easter baskets. The Long Grove Confectionery and Ma and Pa’s Candy were among a variety of local area businesses recognized as places offering last-minute baskets for kids and adults. The Barrington […]
Photo shared from a post by the Chatterbox Facebook Page In a recent article from the Daily Herald, the Chatterbox, located in historic downtown Long Grove, was recognized along with eight other restaurants in the Chicago suburbs, for their innovation this winter with the creation of “Camp Find-A-Way.” When faced with Covid-19 restrictions that shut […]
High Tea With Gerri received a special recommendation for carryout service in a Patch.com article posted yesterday. The Greater Midwest Foodways Alliance will be presenting ‘An Afternoon with Former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy’ with historical dramatist Leslie Goddard on February 21, 2021 at 1:30 pm via Zoom. They have had the in person event catered […]
We would like to thank the Chicago Tribune for highlighting our 4th Annual Cocoa Crawl in their Buffalo Grove Countryside edition this week. Amid Covid-19 restrictions and brutally cold weather, the Historic Downtown Business Association (in partnership with local merchants) offered a unique and socially-distanced version of this family favorite event. Visitors came dressed for […]
We want to thank the folks at “O the Places We Go” for including their day trip to historic downtown Long Grove in a post they shared with their readers in December 2020. They are a family of five who love to explore and share their experiences with people like them. The passion behind their […]
SW Lake Lifestyle article by Jody Grimaldi highlights all of the unique and fun Vintage Holiday experiences in historic downtown Long Grove for the 2020 holiday season. From our annual Merchant Open House to Horse-Drawn Sleigh Rides and a hand-built Selfie Station at the crossroads of town — all of the fun is outlined in […]
The Daily Herald featured the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association’s (HDLGBA) Halloween-themed events happening throughout the month. DIY Scarecrow Day, Witches Night Out, Trick-or-Treating and Pet Parade were among the events listed. All events follow state and local safety guidelines to prevent the spread of Covid-19. We hope you’ll join us sometime this month […]
Read the article by ABC 7 Eyewitness News that shared information about our 5th Annual Vintage Days, Long Grove LIVE music on weekends and more with viewers. We appreciate the story that highlighted the efforts of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, amid the Covid-19 pandemic, to continue working to create safe outdoor activities […]
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our beloved Chocolate Festival (that brings tens of thousands of visitors to the downtown in a weekend) had to be cancelled this year. Instead, the Historic Downtown Business Association brought a smaller, virtual version of the annual event into your homes. Thanks to ABC 7 for coverage of our first-ever […]
Horizontal Street Banners promoting Long Grove is OPEN will be delivered to John this week: We ordered 7 to be placed in locations that we normally place the Big 3 Fest signs: 53 & Old McHenry, 22 & Old McHenry, near the Village office driveway), 83 & RPC. the Long Grove Living ad (June 2020) […]
Check out the amazing updates and progress here
April 21 Newsletter
Dear Valued Partner, The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity’s Regional Economic Development Team, Office of Minority Economic Empowerment, and the Small Business Association will be hosting technical assistance webinars to support businesses and workers across Illinois. Panelist(s) Include: Matthew Simpson, African American Business Development Manager, Illinois Department of Commerce Jonathan McGee, Acting Deputy […]
#LovinLongGrove What have our merchants been up to? Long Grove Confectionery Confectionery launched its www.curbsidechocolate.com campaign April 1 to accommodate its loyal customers and a community that is eager to support local businesses. During the crisis, Confectionery has been shipping its small-town magic throughout the country, helping spark smiles. In addition, the growing strain on medical heroes, food pantries […]
#LovinLongGrove Long Grove Village Tavern is adapting and updating: As the owner of Illinois’ oldest restaurant and tavern, the first thing that came to Mary Ann Ullrich’s mind after the shelter-in-place took effect last month was expressing gratitude to her local patrons that are not only supporting them with carry out orders but with their […]
#LovinLongGrove Ma & Pa’s Candy: Everyone still needs candy, whether for their own comfort or a special gift for a loved one. As such, Long Grove’s classic candy emporium, Ma & Pa’s, launched a candy curbside pickup initiative and is offering free delivery to make purchasing convenient and safe for their patrons. A big part […]
Long Grove, IL – March 23, 2020 – One of the Northwest suburb’s biggest festivals, the annual Chocolate Fest in downtown Long Grove, has been canceled this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. The event organizer, the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association (HDLGBA), is postponing the annual celebration held in mid-May […]
Click here for story
Together in Paving the Way to a Brighter Future Dear Residents of Long Grove, We appreciate your grit and enduring patience in 2019. It’s been another year of putting up with red cones, construction trucks, and road closures. Yet we stayed the course and maintained our focus on the mission – bridging Long Grove’s timeless […]
With its colorful, vintage buildings and structures casting an ideal backdrop, historic downtown Long Grove proudly presented another year of its famous Irish Days festival to kick off September! All eyes were smiling over Labor Day weekend once again for the 3-day family-friendly celebration of Irish culture, music, merchants, food and of course, beer. Visitors […]
While its storied past still radiates, downtown Long Grove’s promising future is now just as evident as the town-wide restoration plan continues. New roads, sidewalks, and lighted streetscapes are paving the way for a new generation of businesses while rejuvenating beloved mainstays. Long Grove’s mission of bridging yesterday’s timeless charms with today’s modern conveniences were […]
Read more- click here
https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20190813/long-groves-vintage-days-market-to-show-downtown-upgrades
click here for article
July is called the Month the Giving in Long Grove, where local merchants across town partner with local charities to support good causes. The highlight of the month is the annual Sidewalk Sales event, organized by the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association, where businesses in the historic district come together for a long weekend […]
There’s no better time to discover all the wonders of Historic Long Grove than summer. Coinciding with the first day of Strawberry Fest, June 21st, the advent of summer in Long Grove means fun! When it comes to shopping and dining options, downtown Long Grove has a strong core of varied merchants. The retail landscape […]
Visitors come from around the region to attend Long Grove’s annual festivals and “hometown” events. This influx of tourism generates retail revenue and commercial awareness while building future customer bases. In some cases, it even leads folks to move their home or business here! Proceeds from Long Grove festivals go to improving the Long Grove experience […]
April 2019 In case anyone wonders, proceeds that the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association raises from the special events it organizes each year goes to improving the full Long Grove experience throughout the year – things like lighting in the downtown, decorations, hometown festivals, and holiday promotions. Once such example of a fundraising event […]
March 2019 This year, downtown Long Grove is investing $100,000 in the Park District to benefit the community for the next generation ahead. Updated, new parkland to complement the restoration of the historic covered bridge will help this hamlet reclaim and surpass its former glory. Bringing the old and new together, the Historic Downtown Long […]
February 2019 One way the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association sends a jolt through the business community during the winter slow season is with the wildly successful Cocoa Crawl. Up to two dozen merchants team up to create this fun-filled, family-friendly day where thousands of visitors crawl out of winter hibernation to stroll around […]
January 2019 As Long Grove continues to rebuild, reinvent and reclaim its “destination town” status during the year ahead, let’s take an opportunity to step back and appreciate one of its biggest champions. The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association (HDLGBA), a 501c non-profit organization, has a rich history of making the community stronger. In […]
Nostalgic Long Grove – Holidays
Steve Grzanich focused on one Chicagoland area of Long Grove to look at what they are doing to compete, and Ryan Messner (Chair of The Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association) explained how it took a long-term plan to build themselves up and feel ready to impress this holiday season. Click Here for Interview (starts around […]
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/lifestyles/ct-lns-ent-five-things-north-1130-20181126-story.html https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20181106/long-groves-annual-vintage-holidays-starts-nov-23
Paving the Way to a Brighter Future in 2019 In case you haven’t stopped by recently, 2018 has been the year of construction in historic downtown Long Grove. Yes, everyone who lives, works or has visited during this time has been somewhat inconvenienced by road closures, traffic jams and those annoying red cones. Oh, then […]
How a Small Town Recreates Vintage Holiday Experiences Tired of the big box mayhem or lonely online shopping? Each year historic downtown Long Grove brings back old-school holiday spirit by giving shoppers a nostalgic alternative. The entire village transforms into a Norman Rockwell Christmas scene during its annual Vintage Holidays campaign – five consecutive weeks […]
https://apnews.com/16bda6b002904a9fb63b5f3bb7a13ca9 https://www.fox32chicago.com/mornings/353459029-video https://www.rd.com/advice/travel/cheap-towns-to-retire-in/ http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-bgc-long-grove-vintage-days-tl-0823-story.html http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/lifestyles/ct-lns-ent-irish-days-0831-story.html http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/buffalo-grove/news/ct-lzc-long-grove-apple-fest-tl-0927-story.html https://www.chicagoparent.com/play/holiday-fun/halloween-towns-in-midwest/ http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-zurich/news/ct-lzc-long-grove-halloween-tl-1018-story.html
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-county-news-sun/news/ct-lns-long-grove-hound-20181028-story.html Preview piece : https://www.dailyherald.com/submitted/20181024/long-grove-hosts-halloween-hound-parade
How an Emerging Destination Village Ties-in the Season to Draw-in Visitors! It’s that time of year around the Midwest when the leaves have entered their final blaze of glory and the crisp cool air invigorates the soul. There’s no better season than fall for enjoying all the wonders of historic Long Grove village located only […]
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/lake-zurich/news/ct-lzc-historic-bridge-crash-tl-0705-story.html
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/buffalo-grove/news/ct-lzc-long-grove-strawberry-fest-tl-0628-story.html http://www.dailyherald.com/news/20180623/strawberry-fest-continues-through-sunday-in-long-grove http://abc7chicago.com/food/annual-strawberry-fest-coming-to-long-grove-this-weekend/3631819/ The U today (around the 1:30 mark): http://www.wciu.com/videos/thejam/best-of-the-fest-mamby-on-the-beach-country-lakeshake-strawberry-fest http://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20180621/dining-out-pinstripes-hosts-off-color-brewing-dinners http://www.dailyherald.com/entlife/20180619/5-things-to-do-for-5-or-less-this-week-in-the-suburbs
Read the full story here: National Register of Historic Places
PRESS RELEASE June 15, 2018 MEDIA CONTACT: Angie Underwood, President, Long Grove Historical Society 847-478-5140; angie@longGroveHistory.org http://savethebridge.net/ Ryan Messner,Vice-President, Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association 847-793-0041 marketing@longgrove.org Long Grove’s Iconic Covered Bridge listed in National Register of Historic Places The National Park Service has announced today that the Buffalo Creek Bridge, more […]
Thank you to the Chicago Tribune for the article CLICK HERE
Ryan Messner, president of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association had a great interview today on WGN during the Wintrust Business Lunch- listen here (starts around 12:55) http://wgnradio.com/2017/11/10/wintrust-business-lunch-11-10-17-outcome-health-speed-bumps-ncaa-recruiting-long-groves-holiday-campaign/
Media Contact: Jody Grimaldi Grimaldi Public Relations 630-470-0044 / jody@grimaldipr.com For Immediate Release A Nostalgic Shop Small Alternative to Big Box Mayhem, with Four Weeks of Complimentary Carriage Rides, Costumed Carolers, a Christmas Tree Parade and More Set within a Timeless Village! Long Grove, IL (October 30, 2017) – An annual tradition returns to […]
Due to a recent vacancy on the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association Board of Directors, applications to fill the remainder of the 2017 term are being accepted. The applicant must be a business owner in downtown Long Grove. Click here for application: LG BOD 2017 Application vacancy
The Back Porch of Long Grove was awarded Best Windchimes award by Chicago Magazine! Click here for the article
Historic Downtown Long Grove President Ryan Messner, Andrew Heckencamp from Illinois Historic Preservation Agency and Aaron Underwood, from the Long Grove Historical Society working together today reviewing the bridge application for National Historic Register.
Daily Herald Article
2017 MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PLACES IN ILLINOIS Landmarks Illinois announced the 2017 Most Endangered Historic Places in Illinois on April 6, 2017, at a press conference in Springfield. Click on the name of the site in the map below to learn more about its history, why it is endangered, and how you can help. Long […]