Teddyfabz Owner Has Record Month

March was a significant month for owner .

After experiencing a 25 to 30 percent drop in business last summer and fall because of Lake Cook Road construction, he had his best month in history.

Once the roadwork ended just before Thanksgiving, things started to improve. He regained the business that went away with the roadwork pretty quickly and then the improvement hit.

“February started to get better and March finished with a fury,” Spear said. Last month was 10 percent better than any previous period since he opened his doors October 27, 2008.

Through all the difficulties, Spear, who is the sole owner of the restaurant, kept doing the things that made his business unique since he began.

“We listen to our customers, we get to know them,” Spear said. “I’m here every day as the owner learning what our customers want.” He also was able to obtain a short term loan which has been paid back.

Spear also knows the work on Lake Cook Road between Wilmot and Deerlake Roads which hammered his receipts a year ago will return in 2013 from Deerlake to Waukegan Road. He is thankful for the respite this summer as well as the work of the to help alleviate the situation.

“We went to (Executive Director) Vicki Street at the Chamber,” Spear said of himself and his fellow business owners. “They got in touch with and got us the help we needed.”

Spear believes most of the difficulties associated with the construction project are behind him and his immediate neighbors but fears for the businesses to his east when the work returns next summer.

“The worst is over for me,” he said. “It’s going to be worse by Waukegan Road. What about or ?”

Spear is not taking any chances. He is finding ways like catering to get meals to customers who may find it difficult getting to Teddyfabz. “Catering is going to help,” he said. “If they can’t get to us we’ll take it to them.”

Another thing Spear is doing to build his business is providing school lunches like the ones he has taken to and .

“It’s the fun lunch program,” he said. “If the kids like Teddyfabz and their parents ask where they want to go, they’ll decide to come here,” he added about his family friendly atmosphere.

Though Spear was disappointed when Woodfire Chicken closed, he has added barbecued chicken to the menu.