New Businesses for Algonquin, LITH

When a pastry chef and hobbyist chocolate maker join forces to open a business, the results can be nothing short of wickedly sweet.

And now, the east side of Algonquin gets to reap the benefits. Brian Green, the pastry chef, and his wife, Cyndi Green, the hobbyist chocolate maker, opened Wicked Chocolates in September.

The chocolate shop at 2140 Lake Cook Road in Algonquin doubles as a cafe, offering a variety of loose tea and coffee as well as “high tea combinations.”

The high tea combos let visitors couple tea or coffee with two mini sandwiches. Or a fruit kabob and a pastry. Or a chocolate selection and two pastry selections. (Here is Wicked Chocolates full menu).

“Business from the local neighborhoods has been good. They are hungry for new businesses on the east side,” Brian Green said. “Retention is at about 70 percent. Someone will come in and then has come back two to three times.”

Here is a breakdown of other Algonquin and Lake in the Hills businesses that have opened or will be opening soon: 

Home of the Sparrow to Open in Algonquin

A retail thrift store will soon open along Randall Road in Algonquin.

Home of the Sparrow will host a multi-chamber mixer event from 5 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 6 at its new store at 781 S. Randall Road in Algonquin, according to the Northwest Herald. Algonquin/Lake in the Hills, Cary Area, Huntley, Crystal Lake and Woodstock Chambers of Commerce will participate in the event, according to the NW Herald.

Home of the Sparrow thrift stores offer gently-used clothing, furniture and household items and also have stores in Cary, Palatine, McHenry and Woodstock.

Jiang's Mongolian Grill to Open at Algonquin Commons

Jiang's Mongolian Grill is slated to open on Nov. 12, according to Beth Hicks, a spokeswoman for Inland Real Estate, which owns Algonquin Commons.

After noticing that Algonquin was lacking in restaurants offering Mongolian food, Shan Hao Zhao decided to look into opening his own.

Zhao, who lives in Addison, moved to the United States from China 20 years ago. While in China, Zhao gained experience cooking Chinese foods. His experience operating the buffet in Villa Park also has helped him hone his knowledge of the restaurant industry.

He asked local residents what they thought about his idea to open a Mongolian restaurant; he said he repeatedly was met with positive reactions. “This gave me much confidence to operate a Mongolian grill in the kind city of Algonquin,” said Zhao, as translated in an e-mail from his broker, David Chen.

The opening has been delayed before and had originally been slated to open this past spring.

Read More in this Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch business profile on Jiang's

Aladdin Mediterranean Grill to open at Algonquin Commons

The new Mediterranean cafe is expected to open around Nov. 15 but there is no set date for the opening. Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Patch will update with more information once it becomes available.

New Businesses for Lake in the Hills

The following new businesses recently opened in Lake in the Hills: 

• Konrad’s Bakery: a new bakery at 9531 Ackman Road. The phone number for Konrad's is 224-392-4162. 
• Olive Oyl Brand Foods, Inc.: a business that ddistributes pre-popped popcorn, 3054 Fairhaven Lane. The phone number is 847-969-0115.
• Law Offices of Angelo Angelakos, Ltd.: Offers legal services, 3054 Fairhaven Lane. The phone number is 847-594-5262.
• Farmers Insurance – Smith Family Agency: offers iinsurance and financial Services, 1301 Pyott Road – Suite 213. The phone number is 224-241-8596. 

Do you know of any other businesses that have opened recently in Algonquin or Lake in the Hills? Let us know by commenting below.