The 7 Wonders
History
Resources
People
Businesses
Churches
Houses
Organizations
Schools
Structural
Memorials
Lost and Found
Tours
of
Mount Prospect
Essays
on
Mount Prospect
Other Sources
MPHS
MPPL
Municipal
Regional
On People
On
Buildings
On
Businesses
The Central School
Activities
Mount Prospect: La Historia De
Tu Comunidad
Award
Feedback
Arlington Beverage Company
Baldini's Barber Shop
Boston Coffee
Busse Buick
Busse Flowers
Capannari's Ice Cream
Central Continental Bakery
Crowfoot Manufacturing
Friedrichs Funeral Home
Goldblatts Department Store
Gunnells Restaurant
Name of Business: Arlington Beverage Company
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Originally,
110-112 W. Fremont in Arlington Heights, moved in 1964 to
1326 W. Central Road
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Mount Prospect Public Works
When was business founded: 1872
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close:
Who
owned business: Frederick W. Muller, later sons
Henry and William. Sold to Harvey Lutz
between 1960 and 1964. Sold to Dick Vandenbark in 1985
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Arlington Beverage Company produced sodas and flavored drinks in the Northwest
suburbs for over a century. Bottles of cream soda or the black cherry soda will
bring back memories to every one who grew up in the area before the 1980s. The
Arlington Beverage Company also ran the “Pop Shop” a local landmark. Started in
Arlington Heights, the factory was originally in the ground floor of Frederick
Muller’s house and the bottled beverages were delivered by horse and wagon. Over
time the company grew and made its founder both wealthy and well known. Two of
the homes he built are now on the National Register of Historic Places and are
the home of the Arlington Heights Historical Society. Over the years,
competition from national brands with massive advertising budgets and economies
of scale, made it a less and less attractive business and the Pop Shop closed in
the 1990s.
Name of Business: Baldini’s Barber Shop
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Originally 30 Busse, moved to 2 Pine
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Original site is a hair salon
When was business founded: Circa 1924
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close:
Who owned business: Lou Baldini
Interesting stories, facts, history:
In 1922 Adolph Wille, the owner and operator of Wille’s Tavern, was granted the
first barber’s license in Mount Prospect. He put a barber’s chair in a small
back room of the tavern and began offering hair cuts. Soon after he found that
the business was doing well and needed more space, so he built a small shop next
to the saloon and brought in a professional barber, Lou Baldini. Soon Baldini
was an institution in town. He was in business into the 1960s and saw many
changes in hair styles in his time.
Name of Business: Boston Coffee
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Originally 4 Northwest Highway, later moved to 117 S. Emerson
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Empty
When was business founded: 1992
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close: 2003
Who owned business: Fred and Chris Adams
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Boston Coffee was named because of Fred Adams’ love of the TV show Cheers and
his desire to make a coffee shop where people could gather and all the regulars
would “know your name.” The shop was a landmark in downtown Mount Prospect for
over a decade and in that time Fred and Chris did learn just about everyone’s
name. For years, Boston Coffee roasted their own beans in house and brewed
millions of cups of coffee. With more national chain coffee shops opening in the
downtown and Fred and Chris having different plans, the shop closed in the
spring of 2003. In the weeks before it closed, the regular customers came in and
wrote down their memories, thanks and best wishes for Fred and Chris in a small
book. A copy of this book is on file at the Mount Prospect Historical Society.
Name of Business: Busse Buick
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Originally in 2 W. Busse, moved to 30-32 S. Main
Is building standing: No
What is at site: Norwood Builders Construction site
When was business founded: 1912
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close: Sold to John Mufich in 1966 and name changed
Who owned business: Originally, William Busse
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Busse Buick was founded in 1912 and was originally a part of William Busse’s
Hardware store. The story of the birth of Busse Buick starts in 1908. In that
year William Busse was walking along Michigan Avenue in Chicago with a business
associate when they passed a Buick dealership and were fascinated by the car
they saw in the window. They were a little cautious, but agreed to go into it
together and bought a car. William Busse enjoyed the car and two years later
upgraded to a car with a larger engine and was so impressed that he contacted
the manufacturer and offered to become a local agent. He was told that dealers
in Chicago had an agreement covering all of Cook County, so it was not possible.
Two years later when he was finishing the roof of this building, a stranger
climbed up the ladder and asked to speak to William Busse. He explained that he
was a Buick representative and had come to offer Busse a charter for a local
agency. Busse jumped at the chance and signed the papers while still on the roof
and Busse Buick was born. Originally, the dealership had no garage, each day
they would roll the cars out onto the street in the morning and then roll them
back into the store at night. In 1915 they built a small cinder block garage
where the Busse Building stands today as a temporary solution. The cinderblock
building was used as a service station, complete with gas pumps; however it was
still too small for their operations. Then, in 1918, they began construction of
a building at 30 S. Main Street. The building was expanded in 1921 and then
again in 1928. In the same year, William Busse broke up the Busse Hardware
Store, he made Busse Buick independent; sold the hardware store to Frank
Biermann, creating Busse-Biermann Hardware; and sold the farm equipment
dealership to Herman Meyn.
Name of Business: Busse Flowers
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Originally 303 E. Evergreen, moved
to 320 E. Northwest Highway in 1987
Is building standing: Second building is but greenhouses
were demolished
What is at site: Busse Flowers
When was business founded: 1916
Is business still operating: Yes
If no, when did it close:
Who
owned business: Louise and Fred Busse to Harold
and Carol Busse to Paul and Linda (Busse)
Seils
Interesting stories, facts, history:
In 1916, Louis Busse, following the suggestion of his son Fred Busse opened
a wholesale flower business at 303 E. Evergreen. At that time, Mount Prospect
was unincorporated, the population of the village totaled slightly less than
three hundred, and Northwest Highway existed only in the minds of city planners.
In these conditions Busse's greenhouse was on the outskirts of town and was
surrounded by open space and fields. The father and son team used Louis Busse's
knowledge of farming and Fred Busse's experience working in a greenhouse in
Des Plaines
to build up a successful wholesale business, shipping flowers daily by train to
merchants in Chicago.
In the 1930s and 40s, as the population of Mount Prospect expanded so did
Busse Flowers. No longer on the outskirts of town, Busse Flowers began catering
to the growing demand for retail sales in the community. By the end of World War
II the population of Mount Prospect was booming and the time was ripe to expand
the flower store. When Harold Busse, one of Fred Busse's three sons, returned
from his Army service in 1947, Busse Flowers built an addition for retail sale
of flowers, pottery and other gift items.
Harold Busse and his wife Carol began working exclusively in the retail
business. They were able to expand this part of the business while the
greenhouse continued to supply them with flowers by the dozen. In 1951 the store
was remodeled and the sales area was significantly increased. The store was now
offering greeting cards, artificial flowers, decorative vases and an assortment
of other collectibles. At this time, Mount Prospect was in a period of major
expansion with a population more than doubling in the preceding ten years.
In 1964 Harold and Carol took over the ownership of the business and
completely remodeled the store. With this remodeling came a major expansion of
the retail store to meet the demand of the continually expanding population of
Mount Prospect.
As with previous generations, Harold and Carol had both of their children
involved in the business. Their older child, Linda, is running the business
today with her husband Paul Seils. Paul had been working at the flower shop part
time while attending Northern Illinois University and dating Linda. In 1970,
after graduating with a degree in Business Administration, Paul Seils began
working full time at the store and has been there ever since.
Since Paul and Linda have been at Busse Flowers there have been a few
changes. The biggest of these is that Busse Flowers is now in a different
building at a new address. In 1987, as a part of the village's downtown
redevelopment plan Busse Flowers sold its original location and moved one block
from the corner of Evergreen and Elm to the Corner of Northwest Highway and Elm
Streets. The new store was exclusively retail with the greenhouses being left
behind. In this way, Busse Flowers has mirrored the development of Mount
Prospect, going from farming to exporting specialty goods to mixed retail and
finally to just retail.
The legacy of Busse Flowers is not only in the development and longevity of
the business but also in what the business has given back to the community. In
1961 Busse Flowers began hosting a Holiday Open house, which became a yearly
tradition and was one of the most popular holiday events. The flower shop
brought design and creativity to the residents of Mount Prospect by offering
flower design classes from the 1970s to today. The florists also worked with
other groups in the community, such as the Historical Society who they have been
cosponsoring a flower show with for the past ten years. And of course the owners
and employees of Busse Flowers have been heavily involved with the Mount
Prospect Chamber of Commerce for decades. Paul Seils was elected President of
the Chamber in 1984 and has been involved since.
The traditions of Busse Flowers have continued with a new generation. Paul
and Linda's children Jeremy and Heather have joined the staff of the store, and
Jeremy's wife, Sarah, has been brought into the flower business as well.
Utilizing the energy and dedication of this fifth generation, Mount Prospect's
longest running business is sure to continue for years to come.
Name of Business: Capannari’s Ice Cream
Does MPHS have photographs: No
Address: 10 S. Pine Street
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Capannari’s and Moehling Park
When was business founded: 2001
Is business still operating: Yes
If no, when did it close:
Who owned business: Ken Dix, Katie Dolan Dix, Jim Capannari, and Meg Dolan Capannari
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Capannari’s Ice Cream is located in the building that was the
first general store in Mount Prospect. It was a small general store located at
the corner of Main Street and Northwest Highway. The store was originally
started by Cook County Commissioner Christian Geils. However, Geils soon found
out that running a general store was not his calling in life. While Geils was
discovering that he did not like running a general store, a man named John
Conrad Moehling was in Elk Grove discovering that he did not like farming. In
1882 the two came together and Moehling bought the store. He found that he did
enjoy being a store keeper and he soon became an institution in the community.
He began selling farm tools, coal, seed, feed, groceries, shoes, etc. and built
a warehouse along a side track to help bring in and ship out materials.
John C. Moehling was one of Mount Prospect’s biggest
promoters. Throughout his career he worked hard to improve Mount Prospect and
bring in new services and businesses. Moehling also convinced the Chicago
Northwestern Railroad to build a new Depot in Mount Prospect and was appointed
the first depot agent, a position he held from 1887 until 1902. In 1875 he was a
charter member of the Mutual County Fire Insurance Company of Mount Prospect, in
1884 he organized the Jefferson Democratic Club, and in 1895 he was one of the
founders of the Central School and District 57. Moehling was also appointed the
first Postmaster of Mount Prospect on December 31, 1885 and based the local post
office in his store. He served as Postmaster for twelve years or until 1897.
The building stayed in John C Moehling’s family for
generations. However, by the late 1990s it had fallen into disrepair and its
future was unclear. The Village of Mount Prospect was planning to purchase the
entire block and demolish the buildings as a part of a downtown re-development
plan. Concerned citizens stepped in and with the help of Trustee Paul Hoefert,
were able to have the building saved. It was moved to Pine Street and largely
through the work of volunteers, was rehabbed and turned into a new business.
Capannari’s Ice Cream moved in and began offering homemade gourmet ice cream to
the community. Soon Capannari’s Ice Cream was winning awards and the business
began offering different programs for the community, including summer movie
nights, and tours for elementary students. The success of the business showed
the rewards that can be achieved by an active public, an appreciation of history
and a responsible business.
Name of Business: Central Continental Bakery
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: 101 S. Main Street
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Central Continental Bakery
When was business founded: 1979
Is business still operating: Yes
If no, when did it close:
Who owned business: Bob and Roger Czerniak
Interesting stories, facts, history:
The Central Continental Bakery is not only one of the largest
and most successful bakery's in the northwest suburbs, it is also on a very
interesting site. The most influential person in the development of Mount
Prospect was Cook County Commissioner William Busse and right here, where
Central Continental Bakery is today, was his first house in Mount Prospect. He
built his home here in 1894 and married and raised his family here. This was
certainly the grandest house in Mount Prospect. There were formal sunken gardens
behind the home and the home was used to entertain distinguished guests who came
to town. The house was so nice that a number of William Busse's friends asked to
get married in his home. Their pastor would come to the Busse house and hold the
ceremony in the Commissioner's parlor. As William Busse got older and his
children moved out he decided to build himself a new smaller home. In the 1920s
he built his new house directly behind his first house, were village hall is
now. He then had his first house picked up and moved onto Emerson Street and
gave it to one of his sons.
He then built the building that is now Central Continental
Bakery and rented it out to Meeske's Market.
Meeske’s Market was a
fixture in downtown Mount Prospect for 59 years. It started in 1925 in the Busse
Building on Main Street and built 101 S. Main in 1950 when they expanded. In
1973 the Meeske family sold the business, although the store maintained the
name. The shop was closed in 1984 after going through a series of owners. The
small locally-owned grocery store in downtown was not able to compete against
massive chain stores in shopping plazas at the outskirts of town. After a
renovation Central Continental Bakery moved into the space and has been there
ever since.
Name of Business: Crowfoot Manufacturing
Does MPHS have photographs: Yes
Address: Northwest Highway and Elm
Is building standing: No
What is at site: Townhouses
When was business founded: 1905
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close:
Who owned business: J. B. Crowfoot
Interesting stories, facts, history:
The Crowfoot Company was probably the largest industrial concern in Mount
Prospect in the 1920s. The factory produced “modern and up-to-date” staplers,
and tackers for a number of uses, including assembling screens and attaching
labels to shipping crates. Originally started in 1905 in the Crowfoot family
home in Milwaukee, Wisconsin it moved to Chicago to take advantage of the larger
market and the easy access to transportation. The firm moved to Arlington
Heights in the early 1920s but was lured to Mount Prospect by William Busse a
few years later. When the Crowfoot Company moved to Mount Prospect, they brought
a workforce that greatly increased the population of the community and improved
home sales in Busse’s Eastern Addition. The factory was located in a large
building on the corner of Evergreen and Maple, near the water tower.
Name of Business: Friedrichs Funeral Home
Does MPHS have photographs: No
Address: 320 W. Central
Is building standing: Yes
What is at site: Friedrichs Funeral Home
When was business founded: 1958 in Mount Prospect
Is business still operating: Yes
If no, when did it close:
Who owned business: Hank Friedrichs
Interesting stories, facts, history:
The Friedrichs Funereal home has been offering mortician services in Mount
Prospect for close to five decades. The family business goes back over 100 years
and four generations, although it has not always been in Mount Prospect. Hank
Friedrichs has been very involved with community organizations and has been a
large supporter of the community.
Name of Business: Goldblatts Department Store
Does MPHS have photographs: Sort of
Address: Mount Prospect Plaza
Is building standing: No
What is at site: Mount Prospect Plaza
When was business founded: Company was founded in 1914
Is business still operating: Not in Mount Prospect
If no, when did it close: 1977
Who owned business: Maurice and Nathan Goldblatt
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Glodblatts was an important early department store in the Chicago area. Through
large scale purchases, they were able to negotiate lower prices and increase the
number of customers who came into their stores. They were even able to increase
their customer base during the depression. They opened one of the first
department stores in Mount Prospect, at the Prospect Plaza, the first strip mall
in Mount Prospect. By the early 1970s Goldblatt’s had over 40 store in the
Chicago area. In 1977, the Goldbatts store in Mount Prospect burned, and was
never reopened. Increased competition from other national discount retailers was
hurting the company and by 1981 they declared bankruptcy. In 1998 the last of
their stores closed in Chicago.
Name of Business: Jack Gunnell’s Restaurant
Does MPHS have photographs: No
Address: Corner of 83 and Rand
Is building standing: No
What is at site: Osco Pharmacy
When was business founded: Unknown
Is business still operating: No
If no, when did it close: Circa 1969
Who owned business: Jack Gunnell
Interesting stories, facts, history:
Gunnell’s Restaurant is an interesting business mostly because of what is not
known about it. Many people who lived in Mount Prospect remember it and have
given a few descriptions. According to some people’s recollections, it may have
been there as far back as the early 1930s. This would be quite amazing, since it
would have been in the middle of farms fields, in unincorporated Cook County,
without a neighbor for a couple of miles. Supposedly, the building was a two
story frame building with two large bay windows on the front and was quite
attractive. Reportedly there was a bowling alley, as well as a restaurant in the
building and gas pumps out side. We know where it was and we have heard a number
of descriptions of it, but so far, not a single photograph or piece of
memorabilia has turned up. The only proof that we have that it existed is a
newspaper clipping about the demolition of the building in 1969. Considering how
many people have remembered this business, how close it was to Randhurst in it’s
heyday, and how long it was reportedly there, it is amazing that no one has a
photograph of it or can tell us anything more about the history of the business.