One-of-a-Kind
Tim Siefert (a jeweler since 1985), is an award-winning gold and platinum expert. While he specializes in the design and crafting of custom pieces, his stores sell a broad line of manufacturer products, too. Make no mistake, this is not a mall jewelry store.
Pursuit of a childhood fascination with gems meant leaving behind rock star and radio personality dreams, as Siefert learned the jewelry business from the ground up. With stops in Quincy and St. Louis, he eventually came to Chicago to manage a store.
In 1992, Siefert started his business working from home. A few years later, after taking over a jewelry store in Lake Zurich, Timothy Grant Jewelry opened a retail shop. The second location opened in 2010 in Schaumburg.
Timothy Grant Jewelry provides classic design, as well as non-symmetrical shapes and extraordinary colors and textures. Visit them at 155 N. Rand Road (Lake Zurich) or 10 S. Roselle Road (Schaumburg).
Hometown Roots
Established in 2013 in downtown Wauconda, owner Linda Starkey says what sets her shop, Threads, apart is the selection of fashions, absent the high price tags found at most boutiques. Starkey and her team look for value for customers and have built trust over time by delivering the goods at a reasonable price.
For the holidays Linda said she is especially proud of Threads’ “amazing sweaters that are very chic and fun to give... and receive.”
Her favorite holiday memory occurred during a Wauconda Area Chamber Holiday Walk a few years ago. “The whole Threads team rode a toy train down Main Street dressed up like elves,” she said. “We had an absolute blast.”
Threads, and its companion Hometown Gift Shop, are located at 118 S. Main Street in the Main Street Center, a former bank building that Starkey and her husband, Glenn, bought and remodeled.
Fashion and Service
Daniel Wimer founded DIBI in 2010 as a men’s fashion brand, designing, manufacturing and selling wholesale to shops across the country. Ten years later he opened his brick & mortar store on Highway 14 in Lake Barrington.
“This year I added some great international brands that have resonated with my customer base because you can't just find these in any store,” Wimer said. “My formal category now has more sport coats and suiting for those special occasions.”
New and long-time customers remark about how easy and comfortable it is to shop at DIBI. “I like to think it’s a combination of style, careful curation, seasonal merchandising, and most importantly, a personalized and welcoming shopping experience for every customer whether you need wedding attire or a new outfit for dinner tonight,” Wimer said.
Shop DIBI Menswear at 28686 W. Northwest Highway. New for the holidays are cold-weather accessories and contemporary layering pieces. Also, there's “an athletic chino" for maximum comfort.
Rolling and Rocking
Four years ago Paul Wheatland opened a Pedego shop with top-of-the-line electric motorbikes, backed by great customer service and a 5-year warranty. “I’m thankful to be in the business of fun,” Wheatland said.
He’s especially proud of his Google reviews from customers: “My business motto is leave a trail of happy customers.” In 2024 Wheatland wants to continue serving fun and friendship. “Pedego e-bikes have changed the lives of so many of my customers.”
Tops for his fondest holiday memories are spending time with his grandmother. “Christmas presents oozing out from under the tree,” Wheatland said. “Tremendous food and treats, and hours of card playing and Trivial Pursuit... the first edition.”
Pedego Wauconda is at 513 S Main Street, next door to Wheatland’s Main Street Outfitter which features live music four days a week, plus great home-cooked meals and adult beverages.
When relaunching SW Lake in 2016 we committed to local support. Online or big box stores don’t keep money in the community like a family owned business does. Shop Local.
