Home improvement show a hit in Grayslake
By Long Hwa-shu Special to the News-Sun September 18, 2011 8:40PM
Bob Klobe of Mill Hall, Pennsylvania a factory rep. with Catilina Spas talks about this spa sold by Midwest Spas in Lake Zurich to Jeff and Joyce Rae of Lake Zurich and their children Colin, 9, and Tegan, 9 at the expo. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: November 18, 2011 12:23AM
GRAYSLAKE — For homeowners ready for remodeling or just thinking about it, the Lake County Home Improvement Remodeling Expo proved to be a one-stop shopping experience at the Lake County Fairgrounds this past weekend.
The two-day show which concluded Sunday brought under one roof about 100 exhibitors, many out of town. There were dealers and contractors from the renovating, roofing, flooring, siding, windows, heating and air-conditioning industries — in fact, everything you need to keep up with and out-do the Jones.
The withering economy and high unemployment visibly affected the attendance. A rainy Sunday didn’t help, but the show must go on and the exhibitors did their best promoting and extolling the best features of their products to whoever willing to lend their ears. For them the purpose of participating in the show was to get leads. Many got them.
“This is our first time to come to the show,” said John Howard, a designer for J.W. Woodworking of New Paris, Ind., which features Amish craftsmanship in cabinetry.
“We’ll find out in six months by following up leads with courtesy calls,” said he as he showed lazy Susans with no poles and roll-out drawers that can withstand plenty of weight. He banged it to stress his point.
Tim Palka of Lake Villa, accompanied by his wife, Marie, stopped at the booth of Interlock to inquire about the merits of a metal roof. The Roseville, Minn., company boasts a lifetime roofing advantage.
“I’ve an “A” frame house that needs a new roof. I like the concept of a metal roof. But will it make too much noise? “ he wondered.
“I’ve a black walnut tree that hangs down right over the roof. When the nuts drop, will they make a lot of noise?”
According to Steven Wang, president of Mr. Bamboo in Bensenville, the new rage in hardwood flooring is bamboo, just when you think bamboo in terms of chopsticks and bamboo shoots.
“Our strand-woven bamboo is harder than oak and maple. Even a big dog won’t scratch the floor,” he said as he showed samples of thick, solid bamboo flooring.
“We sell and install them,” he added.
James Zabilka, owner of Ultimate Remodelers Inc. of Lombard, was happy that he showcased his business at the expo.
“We got 15 solid appointments,” said he whose family-owned business handles windows, doors, roofs, siding and gutters — many made in Chicago.
“We got six leads yesterday,” said a gladdened Scott Polit, an architect and partner at ALA Architects & Planners of Crystal Lake.
“All we need is a good one. It’ll pay off for the show,” he added, smiling.
James Moon, owner of Good News, a roofing company in Arlington Heights, offered insurance claim services for homeowners with hail, windstorm damages to their roofs.
“It’s something other roofers won’t do, but we do it all for them,” he said.
Michael Krinninger of Libertyville offered on-the-spot screen repair for homeowners. “We’ll come right to your home,” said he of his mobile repair service.
For show-goers, Victor Mennella, owner of Comfort Zone in Richmond, said he would charge just $49 for furnace cleaning which he said is “a very good deal.”
Times may be hard, but those who are fortune are still buying and spending. Steinhafels, the upscale Waukesha, Wis.-based furniture company, did a whopping $250,000 business on the soft opening day of its new Vernon Hills store Aug. 27.
“We did it without advertising,” said Deb Goetz, a decorator who oversaw the company booth at the show ebulliently.
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