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The business climate along 95th Street in Oak Lawn can, at times, looks thriving. Lots of traffic, big box stores and a few good spots to eat.
It can sometimes look desolate. Empty storefronts. "For Rent" signs. Problematic parking.
Regardless, anytime a new business opens - especially in such crummy economic times - it's easy to notice.
In this case, it's a specialty shop called the Craft Show Store, at 5370 W. 95th St., which was once Aberdeen's Florist and for a stint hosted Trustee Jerry Hurckes' mayoral campaign headquarters.
Co-owner Leigh Ann Gertos said she's hoping a lot of the foot traffic from Freshline Foods across the street and the nearby bus stop will be to her benefit.
The store is sort of mash-up - a permanent craft fair that runs like a consignment shop.
I dropped in last week and chatted with Gertos, who runs the store with her husband, Mike Mroch.
She explained that she was tiring of the craft show circuit, which requires lots of setting up, lots of taking down, lots of renting space and lots of weekends.
She was betting there were lots of other crafters in the same boat.
She was right.
About a month after opening its doors, the store already features the work of 62 Southland craft vendors who rent space inside the renovated, repainted store (anyone remember the florist's silver wallpaper?) to peddle their mostly handmade goods.
Rents range from $25 per month for small shelves to $175 per month for roomier displays.
What's for sale? All kinds of stuff.
Literally, each shelf carries a wildly different blend of goods.
You might find, for instance, handpainted picture frames next to a space containing Irish-themed goods.
Or bean bag boxes. Or jewelry. Or scarves and hipster sunglasses.
My favorite? The Elvis Presley brand shampoo, conditioner and lotion - a steal at just $20 for the set.
Toward the back of the store I ran into Kim Zupancich, of Chicago, who was fussing with her handmade magnets and tiny crocheted dresses that were placed over bottles of hand soap.
A longtime crafts vendor, Zupancich said the store is perfect for "people who have creative ideas but are tired of the craft shows.
"I drop it off here and I'm done," she said.
Eighty-five percent of any item sold goes to the vendor. Gertos and Mroch take a 15-percent cut.
I asked Gertos why she and her husband decided to try their hand at owning a business, especially now.
She answered quickly.
The store "is the perfect opportunity for the small guy to what they like to do.
"We do it to employ 60 people," she said. "This is their business, too."
The tax man helpeth
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Brendan Houlihan is hosting a seminar on how to appeal your property tax bill if you feel you're property's been over-assessed.
He'll explain how to file an appeal - and how the decision to win an appeal is granted.
The seminar will be at 7 p.m. March 23 at Thompson & Kuenster Funeral Home, 5570 W. 95th St.
Interested? Make sure to RSVP before March 20 by calling (708) 425-0502.
Organizers are asking those who attend to bring a copy of their property tax bills.
Boogie Shoes
Students at Oak Lawn Community High School picked the competitors for the school's upcoming "Dancing With the Spartans" charity fundraiser.
They are: dean of students Kevin Walery, English teacher Amy Cull, industrial technology teacher Dan Kenny, media specialist Eileen Jones, math teacher Jeremey Cryan, family and consumer Science teacher Jessica Shekleton, English teacher Nick Grijalva and guidance counselor Kate Manno.
They've been practicing with their professional dance partners for more than a month, and they'll take to the Oak Lawn gym Friday for the school's fundraiser, which raises money for Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy, which raises both money and awareness for a rare genetic disorder called Duchenne muscular Dystrophy.
CRAFT SHOW STORE
Location: 5370 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays, 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sundays
Phone: (708) 704-2009
E-mail: craftshowstore@aol.com
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