After 20+ years of doing business in Glen Ellyn, Donna Almerico is packing it up. No, she isn't going out of business. It appears she is moving to Elmhurst. I, of course, am hopeful that it is simply a case of the town being closer to her home. In the back of my mind...as many of you know...I have depressing thoughts about the real reason...one town on the rise, the other spiraling out of control in the other direction and yet another old-time downtown business heads away...leaving two more storefronts vacant.

Best of luck to Donna in her new location.

For those of us that are not as familiar with the GE business community, who is Donna Almerico?

what are the stores?

Interior design and consulting, I believe.

Two stores on Hillside....between a salon and, oddly, another kitchen design store.

I do hope those stores, and Craig's and the popcorn place, fill quickly. That corner is one of the gateways into the downtown area, and empty storefronts aren't a good way to welcome folks to the village. But I'm hopeful they will move quickly because of the location - that has to be prime real estate.

One of the biggest factors that will decide on those building being filled is rent. The rent in that area is high, probably to high for what is offered......other than the overused saying "but it's in Glen Ellyn." And of course, the "village" does as little as possible to help any business in the Main St. area. Eventually they will learn that trying to keep it a quaint little town will turn it into a dead little town.

Truly sorry to see these businesses go...props go out to Donna and Craig for sticking it out for so long...

The silver lining may be that finally, FINALLY, the two bare wires sticking out above Craig's door may be used for a sign, or a decorative light fixture, or something besides, well, two 20 year old bare wires!