Dressel’s Hardware, the Chicago Avenue destination for Oak Park and River Forest for 99 years, has been sold. The good news is that it will remain an independent hardware store, now part of a small family-owned chain — Olson Hardware. Also good to see that Todd Dressel will remain, now as a staffer without the burden of being an owner.
Construction is underway at Lake and Lathrop in River Forest. A handsome, high-end condo and retail project has actually broken ground. Sure it took better than a decade to get here. We’ll allow for many complications, some external, some self-inflicted. Still it is a notable accomplishment and watching final financing get locked in, final permits pulled, this is a worthy moment to celebrate.
New Rebozo, the happy place overseen by the happy warrior, Paco Lopez, is starting its next 30 years as a destination local eatery with a half-mile move west on Madison Street. Sure it’s hard for Oak Park to lose New Rebozo. But it is all good as Forest Park’s downtown gains a gem, and Chef Paco finally has his own building and can guarantee his own future.
Oak Park is moving up the scale when it comes to edible bagels. This is no small thing. We’ve long touted the Daly Bagel on Chicago Avenue. Last week our Melissa Elsmo reported the venerable but not always ambitious Onion Roll on North Avenue has made a major investment in adding an on-site bagel bakery. Her conclusion? Pretty darned good and a giant upgrade. Next comes — when? — Fritzi’s Deli on Oak Park Avenue. Also anticipating a bagel worth chewing from this local spot. It’s all good.