I Found A New Grocery Store

Look out Jewel, watch your back Dominick's - Mariano's Fresh Markets is about to put your lights out if you aren't careful! I was introduced to the store that was on Belmont and Western but now there is a location that is much closer and I can swing by on my way home.

Mariano's has opened a new store at Monroe and Halsted and I can't stay out of the place!!!

The store has fresh and organic fruit that's more affordable than Whole Foods, a juice bar with a fireplace where you can put your feet up and have a real smoothie, and  food sales that will keep you coming back for more.

I enjoy a store that has all of the national brands along with some local favorites.  I have been successful in finding Oberweis Dairy products in full supply, even the sour cream, which is the best I've ever tasted.

Mariano's is an offshoot of Roundy's Supermarkets, based in Minneapolis.  The chain is very well known there and Mariano's is named for Roundy's CEO, Robert Mariano.  The store was built to be the answer to Whole Foods, and in my opinion, they've  reached their goal.  I can spend $30-40 and have several bags of groceries - you can't do that everywhere.  The service is also amazing - the employees wear black and white uniforms.  They are familiar with the stock and know how to find the answer to a question rather than refer you to another employee.

I like a store that has wide aisles and is well -lit with ample parking.  Parking is not an issue, there is a full parking lot and attendants to help you find a space.  Parking at the Halsted location is free.

Here are my must have's:

• the fresh strawberries
• the oranges
• the grapes - they last for a week
• the plums - ready to eat as soon as you buy them
• the salmon - never had a bad experience
• the guacamole - mild the way I like it
• the fresh squeezed orange juice
• Donkey tortilla chips - my former brand has been usurped
• Breakstone's cottage cheese - Jewel doesn't sell the 4% milkfat anymore
• anything at the cheese bar
• the asparagus - reasonably priced and incredibly fresh
• the popcorn at the snack bar - if you can't get to Garrett's before you go to the movies - this is a good substitute

You may find me shopping anywhere - Costco (still my only warehouse shopping location), Meijer (my suburban shopping destination), or Fox and Obel (my gourmet shopping location). But it looks like I have a new destination for regular groceries - hope to see you there, soon!

Just When They Are Needed More Than Ever

 

I gave my very first volunteer seminar on how to find a job at Bottomless Closet.  I gave them once a quarter for five years without fail.  At first the seminars were sparse, but after the third one, they were always crowded. I helped a lot of people get jobs there.  It's sad to see that the organization is closing its doors in favor of "Dress for Success", the New York counterpart.  I don't remember the New York company offering training, but it seems that they are about to start.

My Loyola Advisor asked me to work with the Loyola mentoring program and that's when I gave my first speech at the Senior Luncheon for the College of Arts and Sciences discussing the daunting prospect of finding your first real job to a group of scared graduating seniors and their parents.  From there I began offering the how to find a job seminar at Loyola  every few months and the rest is history.   

 The economy hasn't gotten that much better that programs like Bottomless Closet can fold, in fact, they are needed now more than ever.  Now that things are picking up, we need to get everyone ready interview ready to re-enter the job market. 

There is so much that needs to be done and so little time in which to do it.  If you are getting ready to get back in the swing - here are a few words of advice:

• Get a reliable cell phone service with good reception in all areas - you don't want to be in an area where you might drop the call and lose the job - always get a call back number from the recruiter
• Create an e-mail account that is dedicated to business only e-mails and check it at least every two hours - you want something that is conservative and business-like - makes you seem like you sleep in a suit - please don't use an e-mail account that makes you sound as if your priority is being this year's good time girl!
• Have your friends (or an old teacher, or someone you respect) look over your resume before you send it out - it's easy to make mistakes but this is one time when you really may not get another chance to make an impression
• If you're looking  for a C Suite position, find a headhunter.  You can't do it alone, and the truth is a company is looking for you and they don't know about you, and you are looking for a company and you have no idea this job is available because it isn't posted - most jobs aren't posted - seek help!

Bottomless Closet charity closes after 21 years of helping women

Thursday, December 06, 2012

Theresa Gutierrez
More: Bio, News Team

December 6, 2012 (CHICAGO) (WLS) -- The holidays are the time of year when many charities are asking for more donations and doing their best to help the poor and disadvantaged.

But after 21 years of helping Chicago-area women, The Bottomless Closet has gone out of business.
The Bottomless Closet has served more than 24,000 disadvantaged women providing them with professional attire and career development tools to help thrive in the workforce. The not-for -profit's ceo says the economy forced them to close down.
We decided we could not survive the economic hardships that existed already and hardships that are very likely to happen next year," Bottomless Closet CEO Jude Andrews said.
The spirit of giving is decreasing, according to Andrews. People are not giving the way they used to because they are nervous about the economy, she said.
Non- for profit organizations close down every year, according to economic strategist George Rosenbaum of Leo J. Shapiro and Associates.
Starting Thursday all clients of Bottomless Closet will have continued access to the same programs through Dress for Success Worldwide in Chicago. The two organizations reached an agreement to provide a seamless transition for the disadvantaged women it served.
"We are glad to provide that transition for all their clients and partners so that Chicago women do not have to go without these services," Director of Central Operations for Dress for Success Worldwide Amanda Flott said.
Sierra Brown is being coached by Dress for Success for an upcoming job interview. They are selecting clothes for her along with accessories to help her make a good first impression.
"It feels great to have contact with someone who is going to help you to make sure you look professional and look comfortable and it really is a boost when you are going into an interview," Brown said. "To have encouraging words, the mock interview really boots up your confidence."
Starting on January 1, Dress for Success will be accepting all of the donations at a warehouse located in the former Bottomless Closet store.

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