At the height of its popularity in decades past, tourists regularly came by the busload to Long Grove. Women enjoyed leisurely brunches downtown. Kids slurped ice cream at the old-timey Peppermint Stick. Shoppers strolled past fountains and gardens, and into one-of-a-kind antique and gift shops in historical buildings.
But over the years, this unique enclave, some 35 miles northwest of Chicago, lost its cachet and its customers. After the recession of 2008, about two-thirds of the downtown’s businesses shut down, and many owners retired, leaving behind empty storefronts with broken shutters and peeling paint.
Now, visitors who comment online express surprise at the vacancies, with more than one comparing the village to a “ghost town.” Some customers who tried establishments that were open complained of high prices, mediocre food or slow service.
“I remember when I was a little girl, there were stores all over the place, quaint antique and Christmas shops,” recalled Patti Hill, 54, of Grayslake. “Now you go and it’s sad. All these cute shops are there, but they’re vacant.”
Stung by such criticism, a new generation of business owners are attempting to transform Long Grove, to modernize it and change its focus, without losing the charm that made its reputation.
A new microbrewery, Buffalo Creek Brewing, began selling beer this summer. Before that came Broken Earth Winery, with its own California vineyard, live music and an upcoming grape-stomping. Morkes Chocolates opened this summer, and Fred Astaire Dance Studio held its opening celebration Friday. Anchor tenant, Long Grove Confectionery, which closed for renovations through the prime summer season, is due to reopen in a new location this fall.
Scout and Forge opened in 2015, featuring unusual antiques, such as a barber’s chair and stained-glass church windows.
Though some tchotchke-filled gift shops remain and are still customer favorites, the changes mark a shift to more dining, drinking, entertainment and lifestyle, said Ryan Messner, president of the Historic Downtown Long Grove Business Association.
To attract new customers, the village holds three annual outdoor festivals, celebrating in turn chocolate, strawberries and apples. Those events typically attract more than 20,000 people each. The village also hosts several newer, smaller events, like a Craft Beer, Wine and Cigars Day on Oct. 7, and a DIY Scarecrow Day on Oct. 14.
“Long Grove is coming back bigger than before,” Messner said. “We’re evolving to what the next generation is asking for.”
After incorporating in 1956 — in part to avoid the dense residential development and suburbanization happening in nearby areas — the village has kept strict building codes to preserve its character. The question of how to modernize a community known for its history and small-town Americana has, at times, generated heated controversy among its 8,000 residents.
One recent divisive issue was a proposal to institute a property tax to pay for road repairs. The median value of homes in Long Grove is nearly $700,000, but it’s one of the few Chicago suburbs with no property tax. Residents, who say it’s not unusual to pay tax bills of more than $20,000, overwhelmingly voted down a proposal to add a village tax in 2014. Village officials say they are trying to find other ways to pay for needed improvements.
Another heated topic in the town’s transformation has been whether to allow video gambling.
A survey found that two-thirds of residents opposed the idea, as critics complained that gambling was antithetical to the village’s wholesome brand. But former village president Angie Underwood said initial fears that gambling would ruin the town’s character didn’t pan out. Following a trial period, a divided village board voted last year to permanently allow the games to generate revenue for downtown businesses.
But as the community tries to forge a future course, the biggest issue is preserving the town’s historic past, primarily its iconic covered bridge.
German immigrant farmers populated the area in the mid-19th century, and by 1880 the community was thriving, with general stores, blacksmiths, a tavern, three churches and a hotel, according to the Long Grove Historical Society. Many of those original buildings remain, and the area became somewhat stuck in time when the area’s major roads, Routes 53 and 83, bypassed the central business district.
But debate over preservation efforts is focused primarily on the village’s iconic, single-lane, covered bridge, which acts as a time-travel ceremonial entrance to the downtown.
The wrought-iron truss bridge was built in 1902 and protected with a roof in 1972. Wedding parties still stop to take pictures by the structure. Drivers must wait to take turns passing over it.
After more than a century of use, the bridge needs to be fixed and replaced, and it won’t be cheap.
Estimated costs run from about $900,000 to renovate the one-lane bridge to $1.6 million to build a new two-lane replacement. Federal funds would pay most of the cost if the bridge expanded to two lanes, but opponents say that would ruin its charm and bring more commuter traffic.
This year, Landmarks Illinois named the bridge one of its “Most Endangered Historic Places,” and it’s being considered for the National Register of Historic Places.
A “Save the Bridge” online petition has gained about 4,600 signatures, with a fundraising campaign that claims to have so far raised more than $48,000. Supporters say the bridge preserves the essence of the village’s quaintness, creating an “island in a vast ocean of suburbia.”
“Residents would be up in arms” if the bridge is not saved, Village Clerk Amy Gayton said. “Way too many of us are in love with this bridge.”
Village President Bill Jacob expressed openness to saving the bridge but said officials would have to figure out how to pay for it.
He points out that plans call for Lake County to reconstruct Old McHenry Road through the downtown next year, while adding the first downtown stoplight. The village will pay to replace charming but troublesome brick walkways with new, more accessible sidewalks, while adding vintage-style street lighting. The village has spent $5 million on downtown improvements, with $2 million to come.
Building owners can also receive matching public funds of up to $100,000 for renovations, and the village has extended its water system so restaurants no longer have to rely on well water. Group tours still occasionally come through, and officials hope to increase their number.
“There’s still a long way to go, but a lot of progress has been made in the past few years,” Jacob said. “A lot of people remember the way it was. We can capitalize on that and reshape it.”
The village’s resurrection is reminiscent of Libertyville, another northern suburb that fell on hard times before its downtown started booming with a brewery and restaurants, Long Grove Village Manager David Lothspeich said.
“It takes time to turn it around,” Lothspeich said. “I think we’ve turned the corner.”
Mike Marr, owner of the new Buffalo Creek Brewery, said he chose its site for the building, an abandoned art gallery, and the belief he can pull customers from nearby busy roads once they know he’s there.
Long Grove faces the same challenges as many suburbs with older downtown areas, said Bridget Lane, director of Business Districts, Inc., an economic development consultant who has worked for the village. All small retail shops have lost customers, first to malls, then big-box stores and now internet sales.
Downtown building restrictions mean it must also likely find a way to redevelop without the Starbucks, Paneras and joint condo-retail developments that are ubiquitous elsewhere.
“People can buy things online,” Lane said. “Long Grove has always excelled at being an experience. There are good restaurants there, good places for people to go. That bodes well for the future, because that’s where retail is heading, being an ideal experience.”
rmccoppin@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @RobertMcCoppin
