FOX LAKE — One of Fox Lake’s newest prominent businesses celebrated their first year of business last weekend with a first anniversary ribbon cutting last Saturday, October 18.
Angela Thomas, owner and operator of the Fox Lake Lounge, thanked everyone for attending the ribbon cutting. The ribbon cutting was notably attended by Mayor of Fox Lake Tom Bednarek, Fox Lake City Administrator Kelly Crombie, and members of the Randolph Chamber of Commerce. Angela Thomas also serves on the Fox Lake city council.
“I am really excited that it’s the one year anniversary of the Fox Lake lounge,” Thomas said following the ribbon cutting. “I’m just happy to be here and serve the community and give a space for people to come and relax and gather. I wanted a space for people to work from home, to be able to meet a friend, to have lunch or some snacks, and have fun together and be a place for the community to come together.”
Fox Lake Lounge is open Wednesday through Saturday, 11AM to 7PM—closing at 6PM on Wednesdays and 8PM on Thursdays. Every Thursday is an event night from 6PM to 8PM.
“It’s really exciting to work with small businesses for our Thursday night events. “We’ve worked with probably 60 other small businesses every Thursday to showcase their business, especially for the ones who might not have a brick-and-mortar location, and a lot of them aren’t in Fox Lake.”
On top of the wine and beer selection, Fox Lake Lounge also offers craft sodas, smoothies, and other refreshments. Also available are a selection of lavender products, soaps, and novelty gift items. A shelf of games are also available for people to play while hanging out in the lounge, along with a small library in the back.
“Just starting out a new business is challenging, just trying to figure out what works and what doesnt—what foods and drinks work well and which ones don’t. I want to be open to all age groups, not just the beer and wine crowd.”
While most renovations to the building were done last year in the lead up to opening, Fox Lake Lounge recently fixed up their front step with brand new tile and a new hanging sign above their door.
Fox Lake Lounge also honors the history of its building by restoring Fox Lake’s “skyscraper,” the tallest building downtown, which has a long history of many different businesses since the 1860s—all of which were included in a mural inside the lounge.
“And a big thank you to the community and everybody who comes out to support us because we couldn’t do it without you,” Thomas said. “Please stop by and tell your friends.”
Last July, Fox Lake Lounge organized the “Red, White, and Brews” Fox Lake Wine Walk.
