Past the Ryan Field and the Baha’i Temple where only the most dedicated runners may venture, Wilmette, our neighbor to the north, has something other than hordes of high school students. There are cookies, massages and other goodies under Central Avenue’s green awnings. Less than 3.5 miles away, this cute shopping plaza is definitely worth a visit.
Getting there:
Ride: Drive north on Sheridan Road for about two miles and turn left onto Central Avenue. Follow it until you see the cute shopping area.
By foot: Work up an appetite jogging the three miles. Just watch out for the maze-like orange construction fences.
Bus/El Combo: Yes, those buses often mistaken for the purple route do serve a purpose other than a ride to Old Orchard. Take the purple line El north to Linden, and then hop on Pace bus #421 or 422. The plaza is less than a mile from the Linden stop, so save some cash and walk the last bit north.
The goods:
Allure Skin Care & Spa: Opened six months ago by nurse Dorothy Cichon, Allure relies on word-of-mouth- “only three clients have come in off the street!”-and prides itself on its privacy and Cichon’s own medical background. This second floor enclave offers basics like manicures and massages, but also some less conventional services. I dare any football player to try the “Gentleman’s Fitness Facial.” For lithe-lashed ladies, Cichon predicts that her eyelash extension procedure will be a hit with the college crowd.
Wilmette Theatre: During the day, come to this 95-year-old theater for indie and arthouse films. Once night falls, expect live entertainment, discussions and local acts like the one-woman show Diary of a Skokie Girl. The theater has been showing Rocky Horror Picture Show since the 70s, says manager Geoff Anderson. With a liquor license and dressed-up patrons, “the theater gets trashed, and it’s not about watching the movie, it’s about being in that room,” Anderson says. Other diversions include the May 31 stand-up comedy event featuring three local comedians, including Dwayne Kennedy, and a summer concert series sponsored by Gand guitar store. The theater also has an Actor’s Training Center visited occasionally by big-name talent companies. “We’re a multifaceted entertainment complex,” says Anderson.
Foodstuffs: Don’t miss the “build your own salad” option with add-ins like sugared walnuts, wasabi peas and mangoes. “We see quite a few Northwestern students come in,” says manager Trish Rojas. “You can pick up something gourmet and have it heated right here!” Every week Foodstuffs posts a menu online with offerings like low-carb, low-fat chicken burgers for the health conscious and s’mores cake for a sweet splurge.
