At Mijo’s in Fox Lake, the regional Mexican food is Mom-made by Martina, the matriarch of the Gomez family, which took over the Diamond Deli in 2024. According to son Ivan, nothing leaves the kitchen without touching Martina’s hands. From the al pastor to the homemade salsas to the suadero, a Mexico City specialty, Mijo’s food is fresh, flavorful and made from family recipes.

A former teacher, Ivan started with a popup restaurant in 2019. After catching the attention of Six Flags’ leadership, Ivan and family opened a spot at the amusement park before buying the restaurant in Fox Lake. Family members Lorenzo, Leo, Alan, Priscilla and Viviana are also very involved in the business.

Mijo’s means “My son” in Spanish, and Ivan says it reflects the warm family atmosphere of the restaurant. “When you come here, we want you to feel like you are family,” he says. 

The Village of Fox Lake has been a strong advocate for the Mijo’s team, Ivan says. “They have been nothing short of amazing. It’s been a great experience for us. It’s a testament to Village Hall as to how they handle any questions. “They really do want to make a difference in the community, and you can see it happening.”

Matt and Katie Wicks (both with food industry experience) returned to the Chicago area from LA to be closer to family.

Scrolling through Facebook Marketplace, Matt saw an ad for a bakery in Fox Lake, and on a whim suggested to Katie that they take a look at it. To Matt’s surprise, Katie said “yes”.

Both fell in love, made an offer on the business and the building and are now the owners of Village Bakery in downtown Fox Lake.

A year in and business is taking off. In addition to the retail business—try the Boston crème donuts and the cinnamon crumb cake—they also sell wholesale and deliver wedding cakes across Lake County and beyond.

At The Village Bakery, everything is made in house with locally sourced ingredients, no artificial dyes and butter only—no margarine.

Katie and Matt have fallen in love with Fox Lake. When not working, they are on the water as much as possible.

“The downtown has so much potential and what the village is doing to revitalize it is exciting,” says Matt. “And the community is very involved in moving Fox Lake forward.”

When Jennifer Hunt, owner of JH Events and Flowers, was ready to expand her flower shop, she knew the place she was born and raised, would make for a natural next step.

Jennifer grew up in Fox Lake and has over 40 years of experience in flower design. When the opportunity arose to takeover an existing flower shop in the community, Jennifer took the opportunity to carry on the family legacy and continue sharing her passion with the community. Jennifer’s daughter, Deanna Hunt shares her mother’s passion is the driving force of the shop in Fox Lake.

Located at 7 Nippersink Blvd, JH Events and Flowers, is no ordinary flower shop—they want to be a part of people’s everyday lives, beyond special occasions. “We want to build a culture where people look forward to coming back each week. We want to be a part of this community and we hope people can always find community in us."

Photographed: Deanna Hunt, Daughter and Manager of the JH Events and Flowers in Fox Lake

At Chapel Hill Bodyworks Wellness Center, owner Betty Jarvi and her team help people dealing with chronic pain. “We create change for people,” she says. Services include deep tissue massage, acupuncture, biofeedback, cryotherapy, cupping, and more, all designed to get people back to wellness.

Jarvi started her business in Johnsburg, adding the Fox Lake location four years ago when the building at 62 E Grand Ave, Fox Lake, IL became available. (The building’s other occupant, Renee Ryan Salon & Spa, Massage, is co-owned by Jarvi’s daughter.)

Jarvi says the Village of Fox Lake has been very helpful and supportive, exhibiting the type of energy, customized approach and support her team does for its clients.

When you love the Chain O’ Lakes as much as Pat Smarto does, it makes selling Fox Lake easy. The owner of Lakes Realty Group, an independent real estate brokerage, Smarto says the new Fox Lake lakefront park is a game changer, attracting new people and ultimately more investment in the downtown and community.

If you are looking for a year ‘round home or a summer getaway, Smarto and her team are the local experts and can help you buy or sell a home on the Chain O’ Lakes.

Construction on The Quarry, an exciting new re-development in Fox Lake, is underway. Located on Route 12 & Big Hollow Road, The Quarry will bring 154-units of 1-2 bedroom townhome-styles to the community to address the need for attainable living solutions in Lake County.

Kevin Micheli, President & Chief Operating Officer of Charles Hall Construction LLC, enjoys working with the Village of Fox Lake because they make it easy. “From a development standpoint, Fox Lake works with us to make things happen. I get calls from them all the time to make sure I know they’re supporting me.”

The Quarry is set to be ready for occupancy in Fall 2026.