Libertyville – Our Kind of “turn-around” Town

A lot of attention has been focused on the CNN feature about so called “turn-around” towns, including our hometown Libertyville. Libertyville was also the topic of the follow-up article by the Chicago Sun-Times’ Libertyville Review. So what’s all the fuss?

In the Review article, the town’s businesses, schools, volunteers, and civic leaders share the credit for the village’s success. According to MainStreet Libertyville’s Director Pam Hume, our good schools and quaint downtown are largely responsible for attracting new residents and businesses.

We could not agree more! Much of Libertyville’s appeal is that the downtown is visually interesting and well maintained.

Libertyville’s downtown “Heritage Area” is an attractive, mixed-use district arranged around the historic Ansel B. Cook House. The Heritage Area includes many lovely older and newer homes and apartments, public buildings including our library and Village Hall, churches, small parks, and many fine commercial buildings. Plentiful parking is available and great care is given to enhancing the district with attractive signage, lighting, and landscaping, enhanced with active security and maintenance.

Our office in the downtown business district was formerly a florist shop and a school. It is only a short walk to coffee shops, salons, restaurants, and boutiques. The businesses in our district support each other and participate in special events that attract shoppers and diners, contributing to our tax base. The Village leadership, businesses, and residents are committed to retaining downtown’s historic roots, while accommodating the needs of modern business owners.

We have had the privilege of working with many of these businesses and building owners to restore and expand their facilities. In the district, the variety of architectural styles adds much to its attraction. Handsome older structures contrast with the new, while complimenting the overall appearance of the downtown. The renovated Muller Building at 545/547 N. Milwaukee Avenue is a good example of this. The former site of Jocheim’s Bakery and Lester’s Tavern, this two-story masonry structure was carefully renovated and expanded for Muller Trading Company, 545 North restaurant, and Chili U restaurant. Our experience working with property owners, combined with architectural volunteer service to the Village and to MainStreet, gives us a local perspective and appreciation for our unique downtown business district.

Libertyville is also a lively and friendly small town, with activities and events for all ages put on by local businesses and organizations like the Village and MainStreet Libertyville. We especially like Out to Lunch in Cook Park. We can purchase a box lunch from vendors situated around the park and enjoy live music on a beautiful day with our neighbors. By supporting downtown events and businesses, Libertyville residents demonstrate their commitment to maintaining and contributing to the quality small-town atmosphere that we all know and love.