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Small Business Spotlight Series
Support Local!
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Downtown Wheaton is powered by small businesses! Join us this holiday season - and beyond - to celebrate small business and learn about the entrepreneurs that make it all happen. When you shop small, you're directly supporting these local entrepreneurs and their families. Shop small to make a big impact.
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Scroll or click to explore the businesses featured in the 2024 Small Business Spotlight Series!
Visit in-store to learn more about each business' story.​
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Adelle's Modern Kitchen + Bar, BABAM, The Backyard, The Cottage,
Ivy Restaurant, MION Artisan Soap, Phil's Friends, Westside Improv, and Wheaton Religious
Adelle's Modern Kitchen + Bar
Debbie & Todd Williams, Owners
Adelle’s Modern Kitchen + Bar opened on leap day, February 29, 2004, and since then, we’ve been gifted the opportunity to go above and beyond for our guests as a local hub – creating memorable meals and hosting your anniversaries, birthdays, and more.
Fast forward 20+ years to our recent remodel and rebrand maintaining our commitment to fresh, seasonal, and hand-crafted cuisine – then taking your Adelle’s experience beyond the plate with a refreshed, elevated experience in our stylish, yet comfortable updated interior. We have a brand-new chic cocktail lounge that’s perfect for happy hour, apps and drinks, or full-service dining.
This season and beyond, we would love to introduce you to the new Adelle’s. This “mom and pop” establishment embodies the essence of family and genuine hospitality. We can’t wait to welcome you to our dining table!
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535 W Liberty Drive
Wheaton, IL 60187
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BABAM
Vicky Letizia, Owner
I fell in love with Wheaton while raising my family here over the last 23 years. While waiting to meet a friend for coffee, I happened upon this space nestled in an alley off Main Street, where my friend Judy once owned Second Hand Rose. Immediately, the location spoke to me and got my wheels spinning – I was already looking to open a small eatery, and I knew this space was the perfect home for my business!
A year later, BABAM was born: a local, laid-back place to grab a quick bite to-go, or to hang out and play a game. Bubble tea is a newer trend, and it brings in people from all different backgrounds and experiences.
I have always appreciated the shop local movement, but being a small business owner has given me a front row seat to really witness the impact of local – it’s our community at its best: individuals supporting businesses, building our local economy, and businesses giving back to our own Wheaton community in so many ways.
The best part of my day is getting to interact with guests and hopefully make someone’s day. Opening up this shop has given me so much gratitude. More than I could have dreamed possible!
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125 N Main Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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The Backyard
Eric Schlickman, Owner
My journey has been quite unexpected – I grew up in Wheaton (Sandburg, Monroe, Wheaton North) and I always tell people I'll die in Wheaton. It's a great community worth investing in. I started my career path as an architect, then in sales/leadership for a furniture dealership, until I decided to take the leap to follow a dream. The opportunity to own and operate the beloved Shane's Deli presented itself to me, and knowing nothing about food service or the hospitality industry, it was a risk. However, I quickly realized I loved this work and doing it in my own community made it that much better. The highlight was serving my friends and constantly making new connections.
I was inspired by this experience to open 302 Wheaton, which has become more than I ever dreamt. The original concept was to serve craft beer while hosting a rotating variety of food trucks. Now 302 has two locations and a food truck of our own! I never stop dreaming about how Downtown Wheaton could be better.
Recently a partner and I opened Subourbon, a semi-private cocktail club, and soon I will be opening a pizza sports bar called Dough, which will be adjoined to The Backyard, a space for live entertainment, games, and private events.
Creating new businesses and designing new spaces may seem like the best part of the job because it's new and exciting, but what keeps me excited is seeing the impact my team can have on our community by serving others and putting our spaces to use in creative ways.
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111 E Front Street
Wheaton, IL 60187​
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The Cottage
Jonna Kelleher, Owner
I’ve always loved helping others – as a registered nurse, I’ve worked in the emergency department for 17 years; I love the fast-paced environment and caring for each patient in their time of need. But my love of decorating and curating home décor came after I lost my parents at a young age.
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My mother passed away when I was 12 from her second battle with breast cancer, and my father passed away just four years later. I don’t have a large family, so I bounced around from home to home. At one point I was homeless, and I remember thinking that someday, when I’m able to pull myself out of this horrible situation, I would never take the feeling of “being home” for granted ever again.
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I eventually saved enough money to rent a room from a friend. A few years later I met my husband Sean – we got married in 2016 and bought our first home in 2019. I was so excited to have my very own home, and we started renovating it exactly how we wanted. The more we renovated, the more I realized I wanted to share this same feeling with others. I envisioned a home décor shop with a welcoming feeling where you spend time losing yourself gathering and combining different items.
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Fast forward to 2022: Being a nurse during COVID-19 and beyond was very difficult emotionally. We needed a break, so we headed on vacation to Traverse City, MI. While we were there, I joked about my dream shop (for the thousandth time) and Sean said “You know what? Let’s do it.” I laughed… our backgrounds are in teaching and nursing; we are not businesspeople! Well, what started as an idea for an online business suddenly turned into a brick-and-mortar after we found a small space in downtown Geneva where we opened in June 2022.
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When we decided we wanted a larger location, Wheaton jumped out at us. Everyone was so nice and welcoming, and we loved the energy every time we visited. The stars aligned with our current location, and we opened in March 2024. I have met the most wonderful people here who share the same love of home decorating as me… I’ve met my people!
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I hope my story inspires someone that may be struggling. If you work hard enough you can get through even the most difficult of times and achieve your dreams.
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131 W Wesley Street
Wheaton, IL 60187​
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Ivy Restaurant
Dick O'Gorman, Owner
I moved to Wheaton in 1959, and I’ve had four different addresses – needless to say, 120 N. Hale has been the best! My wife Carol and I opened Ivy on March 3, 2009, when the economy was in shambles – but we just knew Wheaton was ready for us. Ivy’s building is a 1928 historic gem with private rooms, a patio, and a beautiful dining room designed to provide casual elegance.
Our plan was to have great food and great service at a fair price, and we’re proud to have provided that for over 15 years. Being a part of the Wheaton community is hugely important to us; we try to say yes to every charity fundraiser and support every local effort that we can. Carol and I are very fortunate to have the greatest guests and friends and it’s been an honor to be the special place to host your memorable occasions from weddings to parties, showers and birthdays. Cheers to many more!
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120 N Hale Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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MION Artisan Soap
Olga Nedelea, Owner & Soap Maker
My husband and I have always devoted ourselves to living a healthy and clean lifestyle, but when our son was born, we knew it was time to lead by example with a clean and simple approach to the things we use and consume daily.
MION started with the search for a clean, homemade remedy to my eczema – I had spent a lot of time and money on products that only temporarily relieved my symptoms or simply didn’t work at all. Fed up, I began doing research on making homemade lotions and dedicated my time to studying various natural oils, butters, and herbs. Before I knew it, I had created my own remedy!
This one creation led me to a number of products that are my go-to best-kept secrets for stretch marks, acne, hair growth, and more. Our daughter Sophie’s birth further inspired us to expand to all natural baby products. Creating MION and producing products that help others has been the most rewarding part of our business.
Today, we’re a blessed family of four dedicated to organic and locally produced food, wear simple cotton clothing, raise healthy spirits, practice yoga, explore the outdoors and, most importantly, use all-natural skin and body products that are safe for our home and the environment. We use the highest quality of ingredients, free of all preservatives, parabens, artificial colorings, and perfumes. We utilize a variety of herbs that give our products their unique vibrant colors and are blended to maximize the beneficial effects of each ingredient.
We are truly proud of our work, and we love to share our creations with our customers. What started as a table at a farmer’s market and a handful of products has transformed into our dream come true by customers like you.
Trust us to take care of your skin as we take care of our own.
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204 W Wesley Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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Phil's Friends
Phil Zielke, Founder & President
Phil's Friends is a nonprofit that was founded in 2006 by two-time cancer survivor Phil Zielke. Inspired by a care package he received during his treatment, Phil wanted to "pay it forward" by offering the same encouragement and hope to other cancer patients.
Through customized care packages and ongoing Cards of Hope, cancer patients across the country experience Christ's love and mercy. Phil's Friends helps to make patients feel that they are not alone, that there are those who care about them and what they are going through.
Dedicated volunteers and staff spend time assembling the care packages, coloring boxes and cards, and praying for patients at the three Hope Centers run by Phil's Friends (Addison and Wheaton, IL, and Crown Point, IN).
Anyone can request a free care package for a loved one who is battling cancer at philsfriends.org.
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213 W Wesley Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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Westside Improv
Jeff Ash, Owner
The seeds of Westside Improv were planted long before its doors ever opened. Like many entrepreneurs, I had always dreamed of building something of my own. But this wasn’t just about owning a business – it was about creating a space where community could flourish and grow.
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I have always been involved in theater – it’s shaped who I am and how I see the world. But it was during my time at The Second City where everything crystallized. Over a decade immersed in that legendary institution, I fell head-over-heels in love with the art of improvisation. There was something magical about how improv could transform strangers into collaborators, turn anxiety into laughter, and create unforgettable moments out of thin air.
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When life brought me from Pasadena, CA, to Wheaton, I saw more than just a change of scenery – I saw an opportunity. Here was a chance to bridge the gap between my entrepreneurial spirit and my passion for theater. Wheaton, I realized, wasn’t just another stop on my journey; it was where all my paths converged.
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I envisioned a space that would be more than just a theater. It would be a classroom where people could discover the joy of saying “yes, and.” A stage where new voices could find their spotlight. Most importantly, it would be a gathering place where community isn’t just a word, but a living, breathing reality that grows stronger with every scene, every class, and every shared laugh.
So, 10 years ago, I opened Westside Improv, and thanks to the wonderful community of Wheaton, it has become exactly what I wanted it to be: a place where creativity, connection, and community come together, one scene at a time.
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125 W Front Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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Wheaton Religious
Jake & Phil Taschetta, Owners
In September 1967, our family opened a small gift shop on Front Street called Wheaton Card & Gift. In our first year, we carried both traditional gift store items and religious icons and plaques inscribed with inspirational verses. We quickly noticed that the religious items flew off the shelves. This led us to add our first line of religious jewelry, Fern and
Py, which is world-renowned and highly sought after by collectors still
to this day. We had found our niche!
In 1982, we expanded our inventory to include church supplies, and we moved down Front Street into a larger storefront under our new business name, Wheaton Religious Gift & Church Supply.
In 1990, we moved into our current 17,000 square foot storefront on the same block in beautiful Downtown Wheaton, which enabled us to offer even more of the church supplies and gift items that we’re known for. Along with a larger storefront, we expanded online, offering our products to churches around the world via our website, ChurchSupplyWarehouse.com.
We have been in business for over 55 years and are now owned and operated by Jacob and Phil Jr., the second and third generation of our family. As a family business, we go to great lengths to ensure great customer service and quality products.
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113 W Front Street
Wheaton, IL 60187
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Event Policies:
Rain or Shine:
Unless otherwise indicated, outdoor events occur rain or shine. If lightning or other dangerous weather is imminent or present, the DWA reserves the right to cancel or delay any remaining event activities. Updates on the status of an interrupted or canceled event will be posted to Facebook and Instagram @downtownwheaton. Please note, event websites and social media pages may not be immediately updated to reflect any weather-related changes. In the event a ticketed event is canceled, the DWA will email ticket holders with options for their unused tickets.​
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