In case you missed last week’s installment, I’m in love with strip malls. I know it might seem strange, but remember, I’m here to tell you about the gems you’re missing if you drive right past these, well, sprawling suburban developments (it hurt me to type that).
Up this week is White Plains Shopping Center, at the southeast corner of Landwehr and Dundee roads in Northbrook.
New Mother New Baby
Let’s face it: it’s a pretty crazy notion that you birth a human, spend a couple of days in the hospital and are then sent home to, like, deal. That’s why Gail Macklin opened New Mother New Baby in 2009 as a resource for new parents. From lactation support and breastfeeding products to classes and communities for new moms, New Mother New Baby is a full-service center dedicated to providing support and guidance when parents might need it most.
847-272-1500
Noggin Builders
This place? Well, it builds noggins. Inventors and problem-solvers ages 2-12 who love to create, build and be curious can explore science, technology, engineering and math through cooking, crafts, teamwork and problem-solving games. There’s even weekly summer camps for kindergarten through eighth-grade students as well as ages 3-5.
847-687-2450
DancEd Dance Centre
Jazz, tap, hip hop, ballet, tumbling, poms, contemporary … the list goes on at DancEd, a dance center for both kids and adults that was founded in 1995. Choose from 170 classes per week, each taught in one of five state-of-the-art dance rooms. But first things first: pick up a new leotard or pair of ballet shoes at Jump ‘n Jive Dancewear, located right next door.
847-564-9120
Dundee Market Oriental Foods
A Korean market in the middle of the northern burbs? Yes! From fresh produce to prepared meals to go, this is the perfect place to pick up ingredients you won’t find in traditional grocery stores. If you’d like to visit, carve out some time – the aisles are packed with new foods, spices and flavors to discover.
847-498-4635
Piero’s Pizza
I wouldn’t have known about Piero’s if it weren’t for my son’s buddy, who requested, then insisted we stop there after a recent soccer game. OK, little dude. You win. Try the whole wheat crust for something different and healthy-ish, or go for the extra-thin crust (my personal favorite).
847-498-5700
