Northbrook Patch Readers Share Their Favorite Local Businesses

NORTHBROOK, IL — The coronavirus pandemic has had a devastating impact on the economy, forcing small businesses across Illinois to shutter. However, in a show of exemplary community spirit, Northbrook residents are supporting small businesses with the hope that a new year will help turn things around.

As we turn the page on 2020, it is now more important than ever to frequent local businesses. What the next 12 months have in store for the local business community is anyone's guess, but residents are thankful that many have made it through a rough year and believe 2021 will be much better.

We asked Patch readers to nominate some of their favorite businesses as part of our year-end coverage. Here we showcase some of the best:

Sunset Foods

Northbrook Shopping Center, 1127 Church St, Northbrook
847-272-7700

Sunset Foods, a family-owned grocery store founded in 1937, offers a wide selection of organic, gourmet, specialty and fresh food items. According to its mission, the grocery store is committed to outstanding customer service and community involvement. Sunset Foods is open 7 a.m.-9 p.m. every day.

READER COMMENTS

• "Great employees, outstanding customer service, excellent food, very hard-working team of people especially during the pandemic. Thank you!"
• "Best service - beyond expectations for a caring, community oriented store."
• "Even during these tough times Sunset Foods makes grocery shopping a stress-free chore. All employees are very helpful."
• "Great service and terrific help to those at high risk during the Coronavirus pandemic."
• "They have all the necessities + in stock. One-stop grocery shopping at a SAFE friendly store."
• "They go out of their way to be helpful!"
• "Always ready to help the community. Great service and excellent products. Finest deli and fish department on the north shore!"

Lisa's Boutique

Sanders Court, 4173 Dundee Road, Northbrook
224-723-5065

Lisa's Boutique specializes in women's clothing, children's clothing and accessories. Lisa's Boutique is open 12-3:30 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Great clothes and customer service!"

Spaniak Team - Northbrook Real Estate Agent | eXp Realty, LLC

1363 Shermer Rd Suite 200, Northbrook
847-379-8813

Since 2012, the Spaniak team has sold over 400 homes for $240 million in volume, according to its website. It is ranked as one of the top 50 teams in the Chicagoland area, and is consistently ranked as the No. 1 team in Northbrook.

READER COMMENTS

• "The Spaniak Team is consistently the first or second sales team/agent in Northbrook selling residential real estate."
• "The entire team is warm and friendly, and they care deeply about the clients they serve and supporting the community of Northbrook. They are dedicated to furthering the professionalism of the real estate industry and educating the public."
• "This real estate team specializes in going the extra mile to accommodate all of the needs of their clients, no matter what it takes! They are professional, courteous and put their clients first!"
• "The most knowledgeable real estate team on the North Shore. Customer service is head and shoulders above the market. You can count on your best interests always being served whether you are a buyer or seller."
• "Kati Spaniak and her team were so helpful, supportive and hard-working in helping us sell our house during this extra challenging year. They went above and beyond! We are grateful to Kati and her team for all they did for our family."

Tong's Hunan Restaurant

Sanders Court, 4145 Dundee Road, Northbrook
847-480-1123

With 20 years of experience cooking in the finest restaurants, the chef at Tong's is excited to present their vision to customers and all guests, according to the restaurant's website. The caring and committed staff will ensure diners have a fantastic experience with Tong's. Tong's is open 11:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and 4-8 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Punctual, great food, good service for ordering out, and appreciative of our business."

Book Bin

Northbrook Shopping Plaza, 1151 Church St., Northbrook
847-498-4999

The Book Bin has been thriving in downtown Northbrook since 1971. As a full service bookstore, the Book Bin specialize in finding the perfect book for each individual. According to its website, the store has an extensive inventory of books and other gift items, but the heart of its service lies in getting whatever customers need quickly. The Book Bin is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed on Sunday.

READER COMMENTS

• "This venerable book store continued to safely provide our community of readers with the pleasant, personal and professional services they were known for, despite the challenges of COVID-19. This became increasingly important as the public library was closed for months and people, more than ever, needed the companionship of great books."
• "Excellent customer service, special efforts to accommodate customers during early stage of pandemic, love to look at books in person."
• "The owners have gone out of their way to make everyone feel safe. From their curbside service, to the gloves they ask everyone to use while they browse, everyone is knowledgeable, friendly and helpful. They have even taken pictures of merchandise and texted customers to help them decide what they want. There is also free gift wrap."

La De Da

Meadow Shopping Center, 1957 Cherry Lane, Northbrook
847-562-1170

This gift boutique offers home goods, jewelry, accessories and baby toys. Located in downtown Northbrook across the street from Sunset Foods. La De Da is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed on Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "The owner is always up beat and has the best ideas for gifts for all ages. The customer service is above and beyond by all."

Trattoria Oliverii

1358 Shermer Road, Northbrook
847-559-8785

The story begins when Guido Oliverii opened Trattoria Oliverii, using family recipes from the Abruzzo region of Italy, according to the restaurant's website. He created a comfortable dining atmosphere complete with quality Central Italian cuisine and a full bar. Today, the tradition continues under owners and cousins, Ali Clark and Katie Keefe. Trattoria Oliverii is open 4-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday, and 4-8 p.m. Friday-Saturday.

READER COMMENT

• "Always good food and friendly staff. Wonderful neighborhood restaurant."

Three Bags Full Knitting Studio

Meadow Plaza Shopping Center, 1927 Cherry Lane, Northbrook
847-291-9933

Three Bags Full is a full-service knitting studio offering a bountiful selection of yarns, notions, and patterns, according to its website. Classes for the beginner and advanced knitter/crocheter are offered as well as project driven classes. The store is open noon-5 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Saturday, and closed Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "A welcoming oasis of color and texture, professional and knowledgeable salespeople and friendly classes.... if you can imagine it, they will help you make it!"

Grill House

White Plains, 3061 Dundee Road, Northbrook
847-205-2200

Grill House is dedicated to serve customers with curbside pickup, carryout and delivery options to ensure customers are provided with great food and customer safe service. For the past five years, Grill House has provided our customers with authentic homemade meals with a wide range of grilled foods and salad options, according to its website. Grill House is open 10:30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, and 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENTS

• "Excellent carry out and all summer eat in their garden outside."
• "During the pandemic, Grill House has offered fabulous specials for families. They have been varied and always fresh and delicious and reasonable. Their curbside pickup is very convenient and organized."

Basu Coffee Bar & Vietnamese Eatery

1361 Shermer Road, Northbrook
224-904-3364

Dinner at Basu includes rice bowls, soups and other Vietnamese specialties with options to dine in or carry out. Basu is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday.

READER COMMENT

• "It was a joy to have a new restaurant to order from during the pandemic. Basu Eatery has delicious, fresh Vietnamese food and coffee. The owners are very enthusiastic and caring and made ordering so easy. Being able to walk to pick up an order was so convenient and fun."

Marcello's Father and Son

Meadow Plaza Shopping Center, 1911 Cherry Lane, Northbrook
847-498-1500

The Original Father and Son Restaurant opened its doors in Chicago at the corner of Diversey and Whipple in 1947. After 70 years, the third generation of Bauers continues to own and manage all locations. Marcello's is open 4-10 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday, 4-9 p.m. Sunday, and closed on Monday.

READER COMMENT

• "Marcello's Restaurant has had a very large impact on the community, over the last 13 years and especially during the pandemic. With the restaurant remaining open for the community this whole time, it has really created a very much needed sense of normalcy. They have been following all guidelines to allow us to be confident in our safety (while dining in, picking up curbside or ordering contactless delivery). Marcello's has really shown it's appreciation to the community by offering great promotions and discounts to help its patrons. Oh yeah, and they have some of the friendliest staff around and the best food in Northbrook, hands down."

Dundee Pharmacy Inc

Dunbrook Center, 2750 Dundee Road, Northbrook
847-480-1000

Dundee Pharmacy is an independent family-owned pharmacy. They have been serving the community for over 30 years. Dundee is open 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "They are the most friendly and accommodating pharmacy I have ever been to. A pleasure to work with!"

Josh's Hot Dogs

Sanders Court, 873 Sanders Road, Northbrook
847-272-1177

Josh Kaplan opened Josh's Hot Dogs of Northbrook in 2009, according to the restaurant's website. It was the realization of his boyhood dream, after may years of helping his father on his Vienna Beef delivery route and planning to have a restaurant of his own one day. Josh's Hot Dogs is open 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday.

READER COMMENT

• "Josh's always goes above and beyond especially during the pandemic. helping the community by delivering food to first responders and to those heling others in need."

Patch Editor Abhinanda Datta contributed to this story.