Businesses of Mount Prospect

Does MPHS have photographs:  Yes

Address:  Originally 30 Busse, moved to 2 Pine

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: Original site is a hair salon

When was business founded:  Circa 1924

Is business still operating: No

Who owned business: Lou Baldini

Interesting stories, facts, history:

In 1922 Adolph Wille, the owner and operator of Wille’s Tavern, was granted the first barber’s license in Mount Prospect. He put a barber’s chair in a small back room of the tavern and began offering hair cuts. Soon after, he found the business was doing well and needed more space. He built a small shop next to the saloon and brought in a professional barber, Lou Baldini. Soon, Baldini was an institution in town. He was in business into the 1960s and saw many changes in hair styles in his time.

Does MPHS have photographs: Yes

Address: Originally, 110-112 W. Fremont in Arlington Heights, moved in 1964 to 1326 W. Central Road

Is building standing: Yes

What is at site: The Art Studio at Melas Park (opened in 1997)

When was business founded: 1872

Is business still operating: No

If no, when did it close: 1991

Who owned business:  Frederick W. Muller, later sons Henry and William. Sold to Harvey Lutz and Louis Stiglich in March 1960. Sold to Dick Vandenbark in 1985

Interesting stories, facts, history:

Arlington Beverage Company produced sodas and flavored drinks in the Northwest suburbs for over a century. Bottles of cream soda or the black cherry soda will bring back memories to every one who grew up in the area before the 1980s. The Arlington Beverage Company also ran the “Pop Shop” a local landmark. Started in Arlington Heights, the factory was originally in the ground floor of Frederick Muller’s house and the bottled beverages were delivered by horse and wagon. Over time the company grew and made its founder both wealthy and well known. Two of the homes he built are now on the National Register of Historic Places and are the home of the Arlington Heights Historical Society. Over the years, competition from national brands with massive advertising budgets and economies of scale, made it a less and less attractive business and the Pop Shop closed in 1991.