What Businesses Opened in Algonquin in 2011?

As we are just days away from 2012, we can’t help but think of the many new businesses that have opened in Algonquin over the past year.

This year has brought a list of new restaurants and stores along the Randall Road corridor, downtown Algonquin and the East Side.

Here is an unofficial list of the new businesses that call Algonquin home.

New restaurants

• — The breakfast and brunch joint, 1470 S. Randall Road, opened in May next to the Chili’s in the former IHOP. The restaurant takes after the style of a Chicago-Greek family restaurant, featuring large portions of quality food.

• — The sub shop, 260 S. Randall Road, joined four other tenants in Stonegate Commons retail strip center in August. The restaurant features fresh sandwich bread baked at the shop daily, Italian beef and premium deli meats, as well as homemade sauces, dressings, and salads.

• — At 107 S. Main St., the late-night eatery has a vintage style and cozy atmosphere, while its menu focuses on hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches – all at low prices.

• *— Owner Niko Kanakaris and his business partner, Frank Prokos, are opening their restaurant at the former Barley House location.

• — The hot dog restaurant is at the former Mel & Mars, 2761 W. Algonquin Road.

• * — What has become a staple restaurant in Elmhurst soon will be a part of Algonquin as well. A second Rainbow Restaurant is scheduled to open at Algonquin’s Fox River Center in January.

• — In August, Mark Drozek, of McHenry, recently opened his latest restaurant in the former Generoso Pizza site in the Fountain Square Plaza on Algonquin's East Side.

• — In a location where restaurants have come and gone, owners of the Algonquin Mexican Restaurant, which opened in June, hope to become a neighborhood fixture. The restaurant is at 648 Main St.

New retailers

• — The owners of Village Shoes in Crystal Lake The store is in Algonquin Commons and opened in October.

• — Opened in April just off Route 31 in downtown Algonquin, the store sells functional art, tobacco products and paintings.

• — From Dee to You Gift Boutique moved from its Crystal Lake location has set up shop at Algonquin Commons. The gift shop, which officially opened on Black Friday, specializes in customized gift baskets and goodie bags.

• — At 1724 S. Randall Road in Algonquin Commons, the gourmet popcorn store opened in September. Specialty flavor is "Oh Sweet Cheezus," a cheddar and caramel corn mixture.

• — A retailer in August finally claimed the mysterious storefront that had been under construction all summer in Algonquin Commons. Ross Dress for Less, 1812 S. Randall Road, a national off-price apparel and home-fashion retailer, opened in September.

• — Late last year, the village board approved an 11,000-square-foot addition onto the former Wickes Furniture building to make room for Gordmans, an Omaha-based discount retailer. The store opened in July.

• — The national fashion retailer opened a store in Algonquin Commons early in the summer.

• — The store is a national chain of fashion accessory boutiques, providing trendy handbags, jewelry and scarves at affordable prices. Algonquin Commons location was the retailer's fifth store in Illinois.

• — Located near and .

• — The Suithouse is next door to . It opened in February.

• — Opened in early 2011 and is near JC Penny.

New beauty and health

• — Starting as a single mom with a 7-year-old son, Kelly Hartt first opened her salon 12 years ago in Crystal Lake. After a decade of increasing success,

• — Owner Nichole Churchill opened her pre- and postnatal yoga studio at 123 S. Main St. in the fall.

• — Illinois' first . The franchise is headquartered in New Jersey and there are 49 spas in the U.S. and Canada.

*Not open yet, but will open shortly after the new year.