Economy: July 2008 Archives

Naperville businessman Jim Bergeron says "a perfect storm" led to the closing of downtown restaurant Tessa's. After 14 months, it closed its doors Sunday. Bergeron says the statewide smoking ban, home foreclosures, bad weather this winter and even the war are factors in the decision. Several other area restaurants have closed too, including the downtown restaurant Masala Yangu in June, and Petey Z's in Oswego, which had moved from near the downtown train station less than a year ago. National chains are struggling, too. Just Tuesday, the Bennigan's in Bolingbrook and Woodridge closed.

But Paul Junkroski, chairman of the Downtown Naperville Alliance, says Naperville restaurants are "weathering" the downturn in the economy. And from the crowds on Friday and Saturday nights and the traffic on Washington Street, he seems to be right.

What were your best experiences at Tessa's? Tell us about your favorite foods, wine or other reasons to dine there.

A four-day work week sounds pretty tempting. The Will County auditor's office is trying it. Auditor Steve Weber says, "We talked about this program thoroughly as a staff, and at this point, we plan to continue indefinitely." The office has been testing out 10-hour shifts, four days a week with workers taking either Friday or Monday off. This makes sure someone is available during normal business hours. Weber said he's received national attention for trying the program out, and DuPage County has at least asked about it. Jeff Webb, chief technology officer for the Seattle-based Institute for Corporate Productivity, said studies of gas savings have confirmed that consumption would be lessened and that four-day work weeks can be effective, "depending on the nature of the job." What do you think?

Would you like working only four 10-hour days versus five eight-hour days? What obstacles in your job do you see to this working out? How would it affect your life - good and bad?