Algonquin-Lake in the Hills chamber celebrates local businesses, new chamber foundation

Karen Moses got some encouragement that she was on the right business path when she won an award Saturday evening at the Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce Chamber Royale awards.

Moses' business, Apricot Lane Boutique, won the Retail Business award during the chamber’s annual awards ceremony, held at Boulder Ridge Country Club in Lake in the Hills. Moses said it was “very exciting” to be so welcome in the community.

Apricot Lane, which offers women’s clothing and accessories, opened its doors in the Algonquin Commons mall last spring. Moses said she wanted the boutique to be more community-focused. She felt the recognition told her she was on the right path and it showed people responded to the boutique.

The Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber of Commerce and business leaders celebrated and reflected on local enterprises' successes and achievements.

In addition to retail business, the chamber recognized over half a dozen other enterprises in several awards categories.

The full list of winners include:

• New Business of the Year: Sugar & Spice Custom Creations.
• Home-based Office: Accolades Laser Engraving.
• Club/Organization: Lake in the Hills/Algonquin Junior Eagles Youth football.
• Hospitality/Food/Entertainment: Butcher on the Block.
• Personal/Home Service: Gold Shield Services.
• Professional Service: Heather Rasek Homes.
• Large Business: Fox River MedSpa.
• Retail Business: Apricot Lane Boutique.

Shaw Media/The Northwest Herald was a nominee in the Large Business category.

Michelle Baldowsky of Sugar & Spice Custom Creations also expressed her excitement over her win, the new business award. The personal care store, located at 2029 E. Algonquin Road, sells a variety of candles and other bath and body products. The store’s first anniversary is coming up March 4, Baldowsky said, adding: “I love being in this community.”

Attendees at Chamber Royale were able to listen to live music from the Sam Schatz Organ Trio, try their luck at a variety of casino games and enter into a raffle for a variety of goodies like a charcuterie basket or the chance to win a McHenry County Fair-opoly game and other swag.

Chamber officials also reflected on their achievements, including launching an Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Chamber foundation.

The Foundation most notably has a fund, known as the ALERT Fund, that offers businesses in the 60102 and 60156 ZIP codes immediate support following disasters such as floods or fires. The ZIP codes cover Algonquin and Lake in the Hills, respectively. ALERT, which stands for Algonquin-Lake in the Hills Emergency Recovery Team, is designed to offer assistance for incidents not covered by insurance, situations where a business is underinsured or when the cost of damages is less than the deductible.

The program will award grants of up to $1,000, according to the chamber foundation website.