When it comes to the newly built McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes in the city’s downtown, McHenry Community High School students and alumni not only had a hand in making the tiny shops a reality, but they’ll have a hand in running three of them, too.
Three of the 10 new “incubator” businesses have direct connections to the high school. The Bumble Bread Company and Lumber and Twine are both owned and operated by alumni while the newly reimaged Trend Cellar represents a current student’s dream to bring back a family business.
All 10 shops will be officially celebrated at 9:30 a.m. this Friday (July 21, 2023) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Miller Point Park. The other shops opening during this inaugural year are Bright Nest, Hair Flextensions, Little Bean Books, Mad Soyentist, Rustic and Reclaimed Market, Sub Urban Design, and Vintage Mercantile Antioch.
The 10 businesses are getting a chance to try the McHenry market this year before moving into a permanent space. The project was born out of a partnership between MCHS, the McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce and the city of McHenry to revitalize Miller Point Park and add the 10 tiny shops, and it grew to include the participation of high school students and hundreds of volunteers.
MCHS students in engineering, construction, graphics and marketing all contributed to the project, with construction students building the framing for the shops.
“It’s a true community project,” said Molly Ostap, chamber president.
Read on to learn more about the three businesses with MCHS connections.
The Bumble Bread Company
Bobby Springer, Class of 2013, worked in several jobs in food service and landscaping before deciding to revitalize his father’s former business. When his restaurant job dried up due to COVID-19, he decided to give full-time breadmaking a try.
He reopened the commercial kitchen in the basement of his family’s McHenry home, and trained with his father. After selling mostly through local farmer’s markets, Springer is looking forward to having his own shop.
Selling mostly sandwich breads and cinnamon rolls, Bumble Bread will have a storefront for the first time. He said the connection to the high school makes it even more special.
Lumber and Twine
David and Danielle Badgley were doing great with their business selling their handmade macrame and wood creations online and at area craft fairs. But when they heard about the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes, they wanted to be a part of it.
“We weren’t planning on having a shop anytime soon, but that was too good of an opportunity,” said David Badgley, a 2003 MCHS graduate and emergency medical technician (EMT).
They’ve been selling online for about a year for their new business that came about after making custom pieces for their friends and family. Danielle, a 2004 graduate of MCHS and a nurse, makes macrame designs that compliment David’s wood pieces.
Trend Cellar
Carol Chrisman credits her grandson, Trevor, a member of MCHS Class of 2024, with bringing back her popular skateshop, Trend Cellar.
When Carol opened the Trend Cellar in downtown McHenry in 1996, it was the first women-owned skateshop in the area. When the shop closed in 2010, Carol thought she may reopen it someday.
Following COVID-19, Carol’s grandson saved up his money and approached her about reopening the shop. In addition to selling skateboards, they’ll offer clothing, snowboards, golf supplies and other gear.
“I don’t know, something in my mind said I’ll use that name again,” said Carol, who also operates Black Orchid Boutique in McHenry. “It’s (skateboarding) trending big time again.”
For more information about the McHenry Riverwalk Shoppes, visit the website.
