Small town, big business

Pool & Spa News, Jan 25, 2002 by Mark Edelstein

Most of us have attended the big-city trade shows. And now you have an opportunity to de, business amidst the small-town charm of St. Charles, Ill., site of the 2002 Mid-America Pool & Spa Show, scheduled for Jan. 23-25.

At a population of less than 30,000, St. Charles certainly fits the small-town billing. With its historic architecture and revitalized downtown, St. Charles has also become a unique destination for business and pleasure.

In 2000, the National Trust for Historic Preservation recognized St. Charles as one of five Great American Main Street Award winners. The awards are open to historic commercial districts in towns of all sizes that possess a core of traditional buildings in a downtown area. Hosting the Mid-America show, then, seems a natural for a town boasting a Great American Main Street.

Downtown, however, isn't the only area in St. Charles that has recently undergone a facelift. The conference site, Pheasant Run Resort and Spa, is in the midst of a $16 million renovation. Billed as the Midwest's premier resort and conference center, Pheasant Run features 38,000 feet of exhibition space, a championship golf course, a fitness center, an on-side dinner theater, an indoor replica of Bourbon Street, and six restaurants and lounges, all located on 250 rolling acres.

Though small, St. Charles is not remote. Just 45 minutes west of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, attendees will be able to quickly arrive in town and get right to business. With the trade show open for a total of 13 hours, owners of spa, pool and casual furniture stores from all over the Midwest will have plenty of time to meet and do business with manufacturers And with 22 seminars scheduled, attendees have ample educational opportunities.

Once the business day ends, St. Charles offers plenty to do and see:

* Pheasant Run Resort's Dinner Theater presents "Jekyll & Hyde," a musical that depicts the classic battle between good and evil. Tickets in the 300-seat theater range from $35 to $50. For tickets, call (630) 584-6342.

* Pheasant Run Resort also offers an indoor replica of Bourbon Street, the famous New Orleans boulevard. Shopping, live music and dancing abound, and Friday night is Swing Night.

* On Jan. 25, the Chicago Freeze, a top-level junior hockey team that plays in the North American Hockey League, hosts the U.S National Team at the Fox Valley Ice Arena & Fitness Center in nearby Geneva. For tickets, call (630) 262-0690.

* Century Corners Historic Shopping District is a group of shops housed in Victorian buildings on tree-lined streets, surrounded by gardens. (630) 377-6161.

* The Arcada Theater is a beautifully restored 1926 theater showing second-run movies for $3. "At the BREWvies" are select movie times for guests 21 and over, where alcohol is available. The pipe organ is played before the early movies or Friday and Saturday. (630) 845-8900.

* Chord on Blues is billed as one of the country's finest blues venues, featuring live music Fridays and Saturdays. (630) 513-0074.

* Zanies Comedy Nite Club offers shows on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. (630) 515-1761.