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| Garrett Design Group arranged this balloon drop at the 1996 Democratic National Convention. |
Southland Savvy
Chuck’s House of Magic may have sold its last deck of trick cards but the business has not pulled a disappearing act.
Call it a business evolution.
The storefront remains the same at 18725 Dixie Highway in Homewood, the phone and fax numbers haven’t been changed, the employees are still there, and Garrett and Joyce Gruberman are still the owners.
What has changed is the focus. The company is expanding its popular and successful balloon and event décor side of the business.
“Half of the business remains the same,” said Garrett Gruberman, who became co-owner with his mom, Joyce, after his dad, Chuck, retired in 2005. “We’re just getting more into that end of the business.”
The change on Nov. 1 from Chuck’s House of Magic to the Garrett Design Group was “bittersweet,” he said about the store that survived numerous moves, a failed balloon venture in Orland Park and a devastating fire.
“One woman came here crying,” he said. “She said she was here the day the store opened. She was very emotional. I almost wanted to say, ‘We’re staying open.’ “
Although the new company will emphasize its balloon and event décor along with services such as lighting, backdrops and draping, it will continue to offer to local residents the services they have come to associate with Chuck’s.
“If someone local wants a balloon pickup, we’ll still do it,” Gruberman said. “They just need to call ahead to make sure someone is here. We won’t be staffed like the store was.”
“We’ll also continue to rent mascot costumes and seasonal costumes like Santa and the Easter Bunny,” he said.
The company will also continue to provide entertainers such as clowns, face painters, balloon twisters and magicians to local businesses, such as the Denny’s in Mokena, which features a magician or balloon twister most weekends.
“We’ll also continue to offer stage makeup to local theater groups and donate services to local groups like the Cancer Support Center,” said Gruberman, 29, a resident of Homewood. “We’re happy to help local groups.”
But the transition was inevitable, Gruberman said.
“For 25 years, the balloon and event décor side of the business was always expanding,” he said. “We go everywhere. I’m going to Denver for a New Year’s Eve show for a band that used us here in Chicago.”
Clients have included the City of Chicago, which asked Chuck’s to decorate Daley Plaza when the city won the right to bid for the Summer Olympics; Columbia College and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
Gruberman is bracing for the loss next summer of his business partner, who will join her husband in retirement.
“Mom plans to retire in June, but said she’ll still be around if we need an extra set of hands,” he said. “And my wife has joined the business helping with designs.”
As for Chuck?
“He showed up to turn off the neon sign for the last time and to scrape the name off of the door,” Gruberman said with a laugh. “He’s 70 now and likes to work once in a while, if it’s not too hard.”
For information, call (708) 798-2111, or email info@garrettdesigngroup.com or visit Garrett Design Group online.
Pooch Parlor Moves in Homewood
The Pooch Parlor dog grooming business relocated recently from 18216 Harwood Ave. to 18719 Dixie Highway in Homewood. For information and hours, call the business at 708-798-6825.
Pain Clinic Opens in South Chicago Heights
The Pain Clinic, which specializes in neurology, chiropractic, therapy and acupuncture, opened recently at 176 W. Sauk Trail in South Chicago Heights. For information and hours, call 708-756-7777.
Hair Cuttery Opens in Frankfort
A Hair Cuttery salon opened opened recently at 20165 S. LaGrange Road in the Hickory Creek Marketplace in Frankfort. For information and hours, call 815-464-5237 or visit http://www.haircuttery.com/.
Eva’s Bridals Rises from the Ashes
Eva’s Bridals in Oak Lawn, which was destroyed in a nasty fire just about a year ago, reopened this week at 5269 W. 95th St. in Oak Lawn.
In the year since the fire, the shop has been working out of rented storefronts and opened a satellite store in Tinley Park.
For information, call the shop at 708-422-5599 or visit http://www.evasbridalsofoaklawn.com/
Brewing at Alsip Nursery
Alsip Nursery is celebrating “Learn to Homebrew Day” tomorrow with a free seminar on how to make your own beer. An expert will be on hand from 1-3 p.m. to go over what it takes to brew your own lager, ale or stout. Whoever attends gets to return in a couple of weeks to sample what they make.
Bears Deal of the Weekend
Post-Game Pub & Sedona Grille, 9630 Willow (195th Street) in Mokena, will have a free pregame spread before the Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday night and drink specials during the game.
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