Unable to wait for the official launch, we took the opportunity to scope out the place at closing time Saturday night. And we liked what we saw (and what we purchased).

The store reminds me of a big-city specialty grocer: compact, visually pleasing and with lots of goodies artfully arranged in a compact space. There’s a fresh meat and fish counter, a very nice and competitively priced produce section, really good wine (including chilled whites) and liquor choices (Limoncello!), a nice cheese selection, plus a coffee bar.

The prepared foods department was closed by the time we got there, but I managed to snag some grilled asparagus and roasted vegetables — very nice. I noticed a lobster roll on the menu, which I would have liked to enjoy with a glass of wine at one of the outdoor tables. Maybe next time.

The store’s staffers (full disclosure: my kid is a part-timer there) are welcoming and knowledgeable. On the recommendation of Dennis, we bought a couple of bottles of wine, as well as a block of cheddar cheese, plus some whole wheat croccantini crackers and grapes to accompany it. Not a bad (late) evening repast.

(We weren’t alone in our positive response to the Lemon Tree. Wine from the store figured prominently in the offerings at a cocktail party I attended Friday evening.)

Looking forward to a return visit soon.

We want to start by saying thanks to everyone that has given feedback. We do appreciate all comments. Only through feedback will we truly understand our customer’s likes and dislikes, which helps us towards our ultimate goal, impeccable customer service.

After reading a few of the articles that were written about this project we can see where some of you could have been offended by our suggestion that people should dig into their pockets to help out a private business, especially in this tough economic time.

It is important for us to address the “roots” wall and its original intention, because we feel like some people have gotten the wrong idea. The true purpose of this wall is to allow our friends, family and neighbors to become a permanent fixture in the store.

After suggesting the idea to friends and family we received a positive response. Everyone believed it was a great way to support something so special to the two of us while providing lasting attractive artwork for everyone to enjoy.

The “roots” wall was not intended as a solicitation of Downers Grove residents. In fact, we did not approach any media in an effort to raise capital for our store. We were approached to discuss the wall after it was seen on our website.

In hind site, neither my partner or myself should have given any quotes to the media regarding the “roots” wall as it has only lead some people to unsavory conclusions, for this we apologize.

A few facts about the money being raised through the “roots” wall campaign:

The money will go towards the design and execution necessary for our artists to hand paint the artwork on the wall. If there is any money left over we were planning on using it to pay for the mural that will be attached to the “roots” wall.

We have since changed our minds and will now be spending any additional resources on a catered reception for all of the individuals who supported this project. No money will go towards the general operations of the store. This was never our intention.

We would like to address another misnomer that has been mentioned.  The delays in the construction of the store are not from and have never been from a lack of funding.

Sure this project is over budget (not sure how many projects of this kind are ever on budget) and we have approached a small group of people that have expressed interest in investing in the store, but this is very common in businesses such as this one. We never intended on making this a matter for the public but since it’s out there, we felt it was important to mention.

Tim and I have literally poured our hearts and souls into this project in an effort to bring the residents of Downers Grove a unique and convenient place to shop. Please accept my personal apology if we have offended anyone through this process, it was never our intention.

We hope all of you will give us the benefit of the doubt and allow us to earn your trust through superior food and impeccable service after we open our doors. Only through the support of our friends, family, neighbors and of course the village would this project have been possible.  Thank you.

Sincerely,

Shaun Black
Tim Canning
Lemon Tree Grocer

The Lemon Tree recipe contest has been extended until March 22, giving local cooks more time to submit their original or modified recipes in sandwich, soup, salad and lemon dessert categories.

Laura Hart, the store’s specialty food manager, encouraged local cooks to submit published or family recipes that they have adapted, as well original creations.

“By tweaking an ingredient you can turn someone else’s recipe into your own,” she said.

Coincidentally, I tweaked a lemon dessert recipe just last night, although in my case, “tweaking” meant combining the ingredients of the Barefoot Contessa’s Lemon Yogurt Cake in the wrong order and failing to reserve a half-cup of lemon juice. Instead of using it to create a syrup that would have been poured over the freshly baked cake, I tossed it into the mix, which then necessitated the addition of sugar.

My family liked it — once it completed baking, which took a very long time, considering all the liquid ingredients — although I doubt it would pass muster as a possible addition to The Lemon Tree’s menu. Dishes from the winning recipes will be available for purchase at the store through August.

Recipes can be submitted through the store’s Web site, where contestants can find rules and instructions. Finalists will prepare their dishes for judging at Dream Interiors, 5122 Main St., on March 28.

The pilot program, called “Ask the Expert,” seeks to provide professional advice at no cost.

“Ask the Expert” can be found on the homepage of the Chamber site, www.downersgrove.org, where step-by-step instructions and a sample set of questions help users craft their inquiries.

Current topics include Home Improvement, Human Resources/Employment, Business Research, Banking/Financial Counseling, Printing, Copy Machines and Insurance. Users simply click on a category and compose a question, which will be submitted to the expert that same day.

“You should receive an email response from an expert within 24 hours,” according to the Chamber press release. “The Experts will answer your question to the best of their ability.”

For now, the questions will be answered via e-mail rather than being posted on the site. “Our take is will be pretty specific questions,” said Lauren Tarasewicz of the Chamber.

“We want it to be something the community really takes advantage of,” she said. Not only is the new feature a way to showcase members and highlight their dedication, but also to hopefully drive sales their way.

For more information, call (630) 968-4050 or visit www.downersgrove.org.

The event, which was open to the community as well as Chamber members, sold out earlier today.

This marks the third year Sandack has addressed the Chamber on the state of the village at the invitation of  Laura Crawford, Chamber president and CEO.  The practice is common in many DuPage County communities, including Naperville and Wheaton,  said Doug Kozlowski, village communications director.

The Downers Grove Chamber of Commerce represents “a huge portion of the community,” he said. The village is making a continuing effort to enhance its communication with the public and through its partnerships with the Chamber, the Downtown Management Corp. and the Economic Development Corp.

DGTV, the local cable station, will tape Sandack’s speech for broadcast “as soon as possible,” Kozlowski said. The Chamber also plans to put up podcast of the speech on its site.

Sandack will deliver a second State of the Village speech at a village council meeting sometime in February, Kozlowski said.  In the future, that speech may be scheduled earlier.

“We are trying to get back on schedule after the stub budget year,” he said. “The ideal is to deliver the year-end report or State of the Village address as soon as possible in the new year. ”

The speech is meant to coincide with the publication of the annual report, he said.