The Village of West Dundee

The Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce represents the Village of West Dundee.

COMMUNITY OVERVIEW

The Village of West Dundee develops its downtown with a significant investment in building stock with multiple authentic restorations and new businesses that include WoodFire Pizza, Bamboozels Bar & Grill, Craft Donuts & Coffee, Rochaus, an intimate live music venue, specialty retailer Boxwood Home Design & Cabinetry, Around the Corner Candy and 124 Lofts which offers urban-style lodging. The Village recently completed a block-long extension of the river walk, bringing the amenity to the south side of Main Street for the first time.

Village President
Christopher Nelson

Board of Trustees
Cheryl Alapogianis
Cheryl Anderley
Mark Johnson
Thomas Price
Dan Wilbrandt
Andy Yuscka

Village Manager
Joe Cavallaro

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Economic Development Overview

Over the past several years, Downtown West Dundee has undergone its most extensive renovation in decades.

In early 2017, the empty Ace Hardware building at 118 S First was removed and replaced by an expanded and improved public parking lot to support the downtown business community. The old Pump House/Fire Station at 98 Oregon were also removed at that time. Bricks from the Pump House were reclaimed and held, with the intent of building a new code-compliant structure designed to pay tribute to the original. Potential construction of this amenity will be considered for Stage 3 of the Downtown Improvements Project. Its usable space would support public events and activities.

The most dramatic change occurred on the southeast corner of First and Main (Rte 72). The complex of buildings fronting Main St just west of the Fox River were removed to establish a new public park area and riverfront improvements for public use. In addition, three new stone-facade dumpster enclosures were constructed to serve the downtown businesses. These improvements were completed in Stage 1. Stage 2 of the Downtown Improvements Project was completed in 2020, and includes additional riverfront improvements and additional parking spaces east of First Street.

Private investment has also changed the face of Downtown West Dundee in recent years, bringing many of the historic commercial properties up to today’s code compliant standards. A public/private partnership facilitated the complete interior and exterior renovation of the former bowling alley at 101 S First, which is now home to Around the Corner Candy, Shine Salon & Dry Bar and Pucci-Pirtle Law.

The first property in recent years to see a major facelift, inside and out, was 102 W Main. This property was renovated to suit DreamCo Design back in 2012, and more recently sold to and inhabited by Trippots. Other significant private renovations have included: 109 and 111 W Main, now home to Grid 7 Properties and United Career Fairs and upper level residences; 101 W Main, now home to Bamboozels; 96 W Main, now home to RocHaus; 124 W Main, hom to 124 Lofts and previously to CRAFT Donuts + Coffee (closed March 2021); 125-127 W Main, now home to Woodfire, with ongoing construction of upper level residences; 104-106 W Main, now home to Motl Accounting/Payroll Vault; and 205 W Main, now home to The Half Full Nest Vintage Market.

Interior renovations have also been completed in recent years at existing downtown businesses, including Emmett’s Brewing Company (125 W Main), Spa Bleu (106 N 2nd), and The Village Squire (125 Washington), and to facilitate new businesses, including bleuroot (98 W Main) and Boxwood Home & Cabinetry Company (122 W Main).

Downtown West Dundee will continue to transform as these projects are completed, and potentially others initiated in the future. Attached below is the Downtown Master Plan completed in 2015 and a broad overview of the Stage 1 and 2 public improvements that were realized from that plan.