New Fitness Studio to Offer Hot Yoga, Piloxing in Downtown Algonquin

Melt Pilates and Hot Yoga will open at 123 South Main Street.

Downtown Algonquin will get a new fitness studio this week.  Melt Pilates and Hot Yoga will open at 123 S. Main Street with a grand opening party to be held from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday and classes kicking off on Saturday. The studio will offer such popular work-outs as piloxing, which is a mix of pilates and boxing; hot yoga, where sessions are held in a room with temperatures between 85 and 125 degrees; and zumba, a Latin-inspired dance work-out meant to burn calories.  Owner Shannon Tampa on Melt's website referred to her business as "a beautiful studio where you can escape to."  The studio will also offer personal training boot camps and private sessions.  Pricing varies with group piloxing and zumba classes costing $120 for eight …

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

Last Day to Vote in Chowdown Showdown Coffee Challenge

Last Day to Vote in Chowdown Showdown Coffee Challenge

Yumz Looks to Expand to 100 Locations Across U.S.

The local frozen yogurt chain has stores located in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills.

A local frozen yogurt chain with locations in Crystal Lake and Lake in the Hills recently announced aggressive plans to expand with 100 more stores in the next two years, according to a Marketwire press release.  Yumz Gourmet Frozen Yogurt plans to add 25 locations in the Chicago area and will 75 additional stores throughout the United States, according to the press release. There are currently 30 stores in the works for Madison, Milwaukee, Scottsdale, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas and Spokane.  Yumz was founded by owners Matt and Lori Thelander and John Barnes. The first store opened in Crystal Lake, at 5006 Northwest Highway, in November 2010. The second store opened in July 2011 at 277 Randall Road in Lake in the Hills, according to the …

• Photos (1)

LITH Resident to Open Drive-Through Tobacco Shop in McHenry

The McHenry City Council approved a conditional use permit for the business on Monday.

A Lake in the Hills resident is hoping to open a drive-through tobacco shop on Route 120 in McHenry by the end of this month, according to a Northwest Herald article.  The McHenry City Council on Monday voted 5-2 in favor of a conditional use permit for Syed Najmuddin of Lake in the Hills to open the drive-thru business at 3706 West Elm Street in McHenry. The business would take the place of the former Bear Creek Coffee kiosk along Route 120, which closed because of financial difficulties, according to the article.  Najmuddin told the Northwest Herald tobacco shop would be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. during the week and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. The business would have "two lanes with drive-thru windows on the east and west sides …

Algonquin Man Creates Tags to Assist Area Shelters

Pet owners can treasure the tag adorned with their furry friend's photograph, while 50 percent of proceeds benefit area animal shelters.

Grandmothers for years have carried in their purses pictures of their grandchildren to share and brag about with their friends. Now an Algonquin businessman is etching the way for proud pet owners to carry pictures of their beloved furry family mates anywhere they go. Don Taubin, owner of HiTech Etch in Algonquin, has created “human tags,” the pet owners’ equivalent of dog tags. Taubin adorns the tags with a photograph of the beloved pet — be it dog, cat, hamster, etc. — and etches its name and any additional wording the owner requests on the back of the tag. “People put them on their key chains, hang them from mirrors on their car, or wear them around their neck,” Taubin said. Human tags cost $9.99.   But the project isn’t just about …

• Photos (2)

Where to Go for Mother's Day Brunch?

It's not too late to plan for annual celebration honoring moms.

Mom can fine whatever she has a taste for at one of the many local restaurants offering Mother's Day specials. From a full-brunch to specialty menu items being offered — and reservations still being taken — it's not too late to plan.  Cucina Bella, 220 N. Main St., Algonquin The Mother's Day brunch at Cucina Bella will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. The buffet will include carved ham, penne suprema, create your own omelets, bruschetta, eggs benedict, fried calamari and much more. The cost is $22 for adults, $11 for children 12 years old and younger, and free for children younger than 3 years old. Reservations can be made online or at 847-458-2504. D'Andrea Banquets, 4419 Northwest Highway, Crystal Lake D'Andrea will open its doors for a Mother's…

•  2 Comments
• Photos (1)

Centegra Bid to Get Court Ruling on Appeal Ends

A McHenry County judge ruled court has no authority in Centegra Health System's appeal to state board for its Huntley hospital proposal.