THE 360 ON 630

06  WELCOME

08  ABOUT THE CHAMBER

12  FAST & FRESH LAUNDRY RAISES THE BAR IN WOODRIDGE

16  MORE THAN A RACE: BEN’S MEMORIAL MILE & COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

20  CLEANING WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE WITH CLEAN BRIGHT BEYOND

24  ENTOURAGE’S NEWEST LOCATION IN DOWNTOWN DOWNERS GROVE

28  CJ COMMERCIAL REAL ESTATE: HELPING BUSINESSES THINK BIG

30  MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

WELCOME to CHAMBER 630

Inside these pages, you’ll find an impressive variety of organizations, from family-owned shops and innovative startups to established industry leaders. Our member businesses represent the full spectrum of sectors and services, reflecting the energy, talent, and entrepreneurial spirit that make our region thrive.

Chamber630 is proud to be a regional chamber, representing businesses and professionals from over 50 different communities. We are stronger because of this diversity — our reach extends across city lines, bringing together businesses of all sizes and industries under one united mission: to foster growth, connection, and community success.

As you explore this directory, we hope you’ll take a moment to recognize some of our rockstar members and organizations — those who go above and beyond, setting a high standard for leadership, innovation, and service. They are shining examples of what makes Chamber630 special.

We encourage you to support our member businesses whenever possible. Every purchase you make from a Chamber630 business supports jobs, strengthens our economy, and keeps our communities vibrant.

Thank you for supporting the businesses that make our region a great place to live, work, and thrive. We’re glad you’re here!

Sincerely,

Beth C. Goncher

President & CEO

Chamber630

ABOUT CHAMBER 630

Welcome to Chamber630, one of the largest business organizations in DuPage County. In the center of the suburbs, members of Chamber630 span across 50 municipalities, 65 zip codes and several counties. Businesses benefitting from membership in our Chamber range from small, family-owned companies, start-ups to international corporations and everything in between.

We offer top notch marketing opportunities, legislative advocacy, workforce development and a connection to the residential and business communities of the Chicagoland region. There is something for all businesses to embrace, from networking events, referral groups, regional events, trips to Springfield, engagement in the local high schools, many committees and networks, one golf outing, business excellence recognition and so much more.

Our mission is to serve our members by providing and protecting economic opportunities essential to a successful enterprise. The Chamber630 vision is to be the best chamber of commerce. We work hard at this vision, every single day.

For more information visit https://www.chamber630.com/.

Fast & Fresh Laundry Raises the Bar in Woodridge

By Marc Sheforgen

Chris Knox didn’t set out to just open another laundromat. He wanted to change what people expect from one.

“This community needed a clean space that people can enjoy,” Knox said. “It’s all about the vibe. People can come in and not be afraid of having to put their clothes in something dirty.”

Fast & Fresh Laundry opened in October 2024 in Woodridge with a simple but ambitious goal: serve the community with dignity, consistency and forward-thinking service. Bright interiors, tech-enabled machines and a friendly, on-site staff set the tone.

And word has spread.

“It’s going well. It is growing,” Knox said. “We have a lot of regular customers that we see daily or weekly or every couple of weeks. We’re talking about family stuff. We’re sharing. We are a community.”

More Than Machines

That community-first mindset extends well beyond laundry. Knox and his wife, who are raising their family nearby, wanted to create a place where people feel safe, welcome and known. When a longtime customer recently passed away, they sent flowers to his mother. And starting this summer, Fast & Fresh is launching a children’s book program to give younger visitors something extra to engage with.

“Similar to like a barbershop, our customers come in and they talk with us,” Knox said. “It’s about caring about the people in the community.”

Part of that care is convenience. The shop’s mobile app shows machine availability in real time, allows customers to preload funds and even lets them start washers and dryers from their phones. Same-day service is available, and 90-pound capacity machines — some of the largest in the area — make bulk loads simple.

“It’s supposed to be easy. Hassle-free,” Knox said. “The convenience is so that our customers can gain back their time.”

Fast & Fresh offers residential service and handles commercial laundry accounts as well. Currently staffed by Knox, his wife and two employees, the business is already planning to expand.

Built for Longevity

“I built this model for growth,” Knox said. “We will be in other communities over the next couple of years. That’s our long-term goal.”

And Knox is no stranger to long-term thinking. Before launching Fast & Fresh, he spent three decades in manufacturing operations. He holds a degree in industrial engineering and an MBA in real estate and investment — credentials that helped him design a model built for scale and sustainability.

“Next is looking towards franchising,” Knox said. “I’ve had several investors come in wanting to purchase a franchise. So that’s what the next five years looks like.”

But even with that big-picture mindset, the day-to-day focus remains clear: show up, provide value and make the experience better than expected.

“This is a place for peace,” Knox said. “And when customers come in, I want them to feel safe and secure and feel like family.”

Visit Fast & Fresh Laundry at 8270 Janes Avenue in Woodridge, and learn more at www.fastandfreshlaundry.com.

More Than a Race: The Enduring Impact of Ben’s Memorial Mile and Community Festival

By Marc Sheforgen

Ben Silver stood just 5-foot-3, but to those who watched him run, he was larger than life. A high school phenom from Downers Grove North, Silver shattered records with grit and heart, earning a reputation not only as one of the state’s top distance runners, but also as a kind, inclusive teammate who made everyone feel like they belonged.

“Ben was this wonderful kid who didn’t believe in bullying people,” said his mother, Jamie Lee Silver. “He was just this kind human who made everybody feel connected.”

Today, a decade after Ben’s death from suicide, the event that bears his name has become one of the most meaningful gatherings in Downers Grove. Ben’s Memorial Mile and Community Festival — now in its tenth year — returns on Saturday, August 9, transforming Fishel Park into a hub of music, community and mental health advocacy.

“This is not just for Downers Grove,” said Larry Lifson, a Silver family friend who helps organize the event. “It’s for an incredibly important cause — to let people know that the resources are out there and you’re not the only one going through this.”

Ben was diagnosed with schizophrenia during college — a complex, often misunderstood illness that the Memorial Mile now works to bring awareness and compassion to.

Celebrating Life, Raising Awareness

Ben’s Memorial Mile has evolved into a full-fledged community festival with live bands, food vendors, games, a raffle and a trio of road races that now wind through closed-off downtown streets.

“The village is incredibly supportive of what we’re doing,” Lifson said.

The running begins at 4 p.m. with a 100-meter dash for young children, followed by an open mile for walkers and casual runners and culminating in an elite mile for more competitive athletes. Partnering with the Chicago Area Runners Association, the race is now an officially sanctioned and chip-timed event — complete with a professional balloon-ringed finish line and awards ceremony.

Throughout the park, booths from mental health organizations — including NAMI DuPage, a longtime beneficiary of the event’s fundraising — will offer resources and education. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation is also a major beneficiary. Since its inception, Ben’s Memorial Mile has raised more than $200,000 for these causes.

Running Toward Connection

Ben Silver’s legacy lives on not only in the races he once dominated but also in the spirit of the event that honors him.

“He was a running phenom,” Jamie Silver said. “People who didn’t even know him would come to watch him run because he ran with such heart.”

But more than his athleticism, it’s Ben’s warmth that defines the Memorial Mile.

“Ben would mentor the younger kids,” Lifson recalled. “Even though he was the star, nobody ever felt intimidated by him.”

That sense of inclusion continues today.

“The warmth is palpable,” Lifson said. “You can really feel the community.”

From raffle prizes and live music to quiet moments of remembrance, Ben’s Memorial Mile is, as his mother put it, “a warm event that everybody is welcomed to.”

And it remains deeply personal.

“This is organized and supported by dedicated members of the community, many of whom knew Ben like family,” Jamie Silver said. “All work hard to make Ben’s Memorial Mile a fun, meaningful and impactful event.”

For more information or to register, visit www.bensmemorialmile.com.

CLEANING WITH PASSION AND PURPOSE WITH CLEAN BRIGHT BEYOND

By Marc Sheforgen

Raheel Ahmad has always found clarity in cleaning.

“Whenever I was a kid, cleaning always brought me focus,” he said.

That simple truth stayed with him, even as he explored jobs in retail and customer service. None of them clicked.

“It was very mundane and boring, and I didn’t really find interest in it,” Ahmad said. “As I was thinking about trying to open up a business, I landed on cleaning because I enjoy it. And it allows me to connect with my customers on a personal level.”

In December 2024, Ahmad launched Clean Bright Beyond, a solo-owned residential and commercial cleaning service that covers Chicago’s western suburbs. Though still in its first year, the company has already made an impression with the thoughtful, detail-driven ethos behind it.

“Whenever I was in the process of building the business, it felt like something innate,” Ahmad said. “It’s more like an unfolding of my own personality. It completely fits me. That’s what I love about it.”

The company’s tagline — “Beyond Cleaning” — isn’t just branding. It’s a commitment to relationships, reliability and the little things others might overlook. Whether sending a card to a residential client recovering from illness or spotting issues a commercial property manager might miss, Ahmad sees attentiveness as the job’s most valuable tool.

“I always think to myself, if I don’t catch this, probably nobody’s going to catch it,” he said.

Though still primarily a one-person operation, Clean Bright Beyond has begun to grow. A pair of part-time helpers now assist Ahmad during busier weeks. One of them has plans to eventually start his own business, and Ahmad is already mentoring him, even as he navigates entrepreneurship himself.

“It’s always a learning experience,” he said. “But it’s something creative, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Most of Ahmad’s work is residential, but he handles a few commercial accounts as well.

“They both have good aspects,” he said. “If I want to talk to someone and check up on them, I prefer residential. But if I want to focus on a routine cleaning, it’s probably going to be commercial.”

For Ahmad, the ultimate reward isn’t just a clean space. It’s being known and trusted in the community where he grew up, building a service but also a set of relationships.

“A lot of my clients, I also see them after work,” he said. “Maybe they have family that also knows me. And whenever I see them, they welcome me. It’s a really nice feeling. I’m able to work, but also develop a friendly relationship with them.”

Looking ahead, Ahmad envisions steady growth with more clients, more staff and a larger presence in the community.

“Getting more proposals out, hiring more people and trying to get more of a labor force going,” he said. “But also giving back to the community. That’s very important.”

To learn more about Clean Bright Beyond, visit www.cleanbrightbeyond.com.

Legacy and Community Inspire Entourage’s Newest Location in Downtown Downers Grove

By Alec Harvey

For Anthony Vai, hospitality isn’t just a business – it’s a family legacy that started with his grandfather.

That lineage continues today with Entourage, a stylish and welcoming modern American restaurant that opened in downtown Downers Grove in 2024. The restaurant is the latest venture from the Vai Hospitality Group LLC, which also owns Vai’s and Entourage in Naperville.

The restaurant is powered by a close-knit team of family and longtime collaborators. Anthony Vai oversees operations and beverage programs, while his father, Michael, mentors the staff and contributes behind the scenes. Partners Pete and Sandy Georganas manage the facilities and finances, and participate in the front-of-house experience. Chef Partner Scott Wegener — Vai’s longtime friend and colleague — leads the culinary program and oversees menu development across all locations.

Entourage is rooted in years of experience. Michael Vai and Scott Wegener launched the original Entourage in Schaumburg in 2006, with Sandy Georganas close by keeping the signature ambience beautiful.

In 2012, Michael and Anthony Vai teamed up to create Fire + Wine in Glen Ellyn, a neighborhood favorite they operated for over a decade before selling to investors. Sandy Georganas remained part of the leadership team managing day-to-day administrative operations.

Entourage in Downers Grove is more than just an expansion — it’s a thoughtful investment in a thriving, tight-knit community. Located right off the train tracks on Main Street, this new location brings together the upscale flair of Naperville’s Entourage with the inviting charm of Vai’s Italian-inspired concept.

“Downers Grove has a blue-collar history, and we didn’t want the restaurant to feel too high-end or off-putting,” Vai explains. “There’s a casual sophistication to it. It’s a really beautiful restaurant, with friendly colors and finishes throughout.”

That balance of style and accessibility shines on the menu as well. From premium steaks and house-made pasta to Vietnamese summer rolls and miso-marinated Chilean sea bass, Entourage offers modern American cuisine with global inspiration.

The idea to bring Entourage to Downers Grove started a decade ago, when local homebuilders who frequented Fire + Wine encouraged the team to open a location in a building they had just purchased. “It wasn’t the right time then,” Vai recalls. “But we saw what a great little downtown it was and watched it grow over the years.”

When the former Capri space became available, they seized the opportunity — beating out multiple offers to secure the coveted spot.

Chamber630 helped connect the team with the local business community. “We try to be very active in the communities we do business in,” Vai says. “We give back through philanthropy and support a variety of causes. The chamber has helped us build those relationships, which is very important to us.”

Though still new to the neighborhood, Entourage is quickly becoming a community favorite. “We want it to be a place people come to multiple times a week or month,” Vai says. “We want them to feel very comfortable.”

Entourage in Downers Grove is open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner, with brunch offered on weekends. For more information on private dining, catering, social hour, or to view menus and place orders, visit www.entouragerestaurant.com.

CJ Commercial Real Estate: Helping Small Businesses Think Big

By Marc Sheforgen

Cathy Jama didn’t launch CJ Commercial Real Estate Solutions to break into the business. She was already decades deep.

After 33 years with McDonald’s Corporation — first as a real estate paralegal, then in the U.S. Restaurant Development Department and finally in U.S. Franchising — Jama knew how deals were made, how relationships were built and how long-term strategic thinking could drive results.

“Wrapping that all up together, the perspective I have from my McDonald’s experience — I’ve seen a lot of deals,” she said. “I’ve seen the legal side and the business side, and I bring all of that together to help my clients.”

By the time she opened her Downers Grove-based firm in late 2022, Jama had already made a name for herself working with a boutique real estate firm who assisted small business clients to find properties. What she offers today, in her own name, is equal parts of experience, intuition and a deep personal commitment to getting it right.

“I’ve been on my own for two and a half years, even though I’ve been a broker for six and a half years,” Jama said. “I bring all of my experience to the table to benefit my client.”

Creative Deals, Real Relationships

CJ Commercial Real Estate specializes in representation — working with small businesses, startups, nonprofits and other clients to secure leases or acquisitions that meet their needs today and account for where they want to be tomorrow. Jama is known for asking tough, strategic questions early, often pushing her clients to consider their futures.

“The strategy is: Where do you see yourself in three to five years? How many employees do you think you’ll have?” she said. “We can get them into a space with their current budget today but that they can grow into.”

While her work spans Chicagoland and beyond, her style is always relationship-first. Jama doesn’t cold call. She listens. She builds trust. And she sticks around long after the ink dries.

“I usually stay with them from the first time we talk until they are in their new space,” she said. “I become a colleague, and I have become friends with many of them.”

Helping Clients Win

Jama describes her firm as creative, strategic and relationships driven. Clients describe her the same way. She’s known for spotting red flags early, offering candid advice and tailoring support based on every client’s level of comfort and experience.

“I view it as I am an extension of their team,” she said. “I’m their real estate department and they can trust me.”

That philosophy especially resonates with her nonprofit clients, whose funding is often limited and earmarked.

“When I can get them into a space on their budget and on good terms, I feel like I’m helping them help who they help,” Jama said. “That’s a way that I’m giving back.”

So, what’s next for CJ Commercial Real Estate?

More deals, more growth — but never at the cost of connection.

“I love what I do, and I love the people that I help,” Jama said.

To learn more about CJ Commercial Real Estate, visit www.cjcres.com.