Businesswomen Looking to Open Flagg Antique Mall

Thelma Flagg and her daughter, Valerie Heady, have come up with a new business idea they think perfectly compliments their older, downtown building.

The two women recently presented plans for the Flagg Antique Mall to members of the Crystal Lake  Planning and Zoning Commission. The mall would fill the now-vacant building space at 2 S. Williams St. in Crystal Lake.

The building, once home to Flagg and Sons Funeral Home, and more recently, Horizons Center for the Blind, sits at the corner of  Williams Street and Crystal Lake Avenue, next to The Cottage.

"This building is very historic itself," Flagg told planning and zoning commissioners during the June 6 meeting. "The building has had five additions over the years. Parts of it date back to the 1880s."

Heady told commissioners the mall would sell high-end antiques, vintage clothing and the like. Booths would be rented to individual vendors, and the store would have one check-out register.

"Our intent is to have an upscale antique store," Heady said.

The businesswomen were seeking the commission's approval fora specials-use permit since the proposed business would sell used merchandise. There are two other antique stores within the vicinity, but Flagg felt that would serve to draw more customers to the area.

"We feel this would help the downtown, and this is a good location," Flagg said.

Commissioners gave their approval to the special-use request, moving the matter before the city council for final approval at the upcoming June 19 meeting.