Noon Business Lunch

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Arlington Height’s Northpoint Center has been acquired by a Texas investor. According to Crain’s, Encore Enterprises acquired a majority stake in the shopping center for $34 million. It’s located at the intersection of Rand Road and Arlington Heights Road. AmCap affiliates previously had a majority stake and will maintain a minority share. Encore has also assumed AmCap’s mortgage. Encore has 26 properties in the U.S. and specializes in buying, developing and managing retail centers. 

Also, The Chicago-based American Medical Association has a new CEO and executive vice president. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Craig Bolanos, Founder and Wealth Advisor at VestGen Wealth Partners, joins John Williams to talk about why the markets are dipping a bit today, the latest on President Trump’s trade deals, the roller coaster the market has been on since President Trump announced his tariff plan, why now is a good time to reevaluate your retirement plan, more people looking at Bitcoin, his thoughts on the Fed announcement this week, when we might get a rate cut, and why he doesn’t believe there is going to be a massive economic slowdown.

Segment 2: Carl Prouty, “The Technologist” at Abt Electronics in Glenview, talks to John about the tech items that are hot right now including a TV that looks like a picture frame, the Venta Air Purifier, and a Segway Electric Bike. Carl also gives us some recommendations for great tech gifts for Mother’s Day!

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Krispy Kreme is pausing its partnership with McDonald’s. The company says it’s concerned about weakness in the economy and uncertainty about expansion of the partnership. It also withdrew its profit guidance after saying the partnership with the Chicago-based burger chain had hit a speed bump. Even with the McDonald’s deal, Krispy Kreme sales came in weak. Its shares have fallen 30% since earlier this year. The partnership was to have expanded to 12,000 McDonald’s by the end of next year but it’s unclear whether that will happen. 

Also, Chicago’s sixth-largest law firm is in merger talks with a New York firm. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Nationally syndicated financial columnist and author Terry Savage joins John Williams to talk about the Fed’s interest rate decision, the impact of tariff policy on the economy, the nation running up its credit card debt, the latest on Social Security clawbacks, the Trump administration garnishing wages of 5.3 million defaulted student loan borrowers this summer, and why you should be in the market if you are in for the long haul.

Segment 2: John and Jill Manchester, co-owners, Windy City Sweets, join John Williams to talk about their shop, the products they are most known for, what makes Windy City Sweets so special, if they have been impacted by tariffs, how business has been going, the support they have received from the neighborhood, and the exciting items they have on sale just for Mother’s Day (including ‘face on a cookie’)!

Segment 3: Timoleon Letsos, Executive Chef, Offshore, joins John to talk about the great view from the rooftop at Offshore, the great food and drink on the menu, the special Mother’s Day brunch this weekend!

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

A popular Chicago bar is planning an expansion, including a second location. Crain’s reports Butch McGuire’s is looking for a new location in Lincoln Park. The deal’s not done yet but the report says the expansion is imminent. The 64-year-old bar is eyeing 2249 N. Lincoln. That location is the former home of Tobacco Road Tap Room. Butch McGuire’s current location is 20 W. Division. Owners haven’t commented on the report. 

Also, WestJet has suspended nine of its routes between Canada and the U.S., including one in and out of Chicago. Listen for more below:

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

A new forecast includes improved revenue projections for the State of Illinois in the upcoming fiscal year, despite concerns about the local and national economy. The forecast comes from the Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability, the General Assembly’s independent forecasting arm. The projection is for $54.5 billion in revenue in fiscal year 2026, $266 million more than its March projection. The forecast is still about $471 million below Governor Pritzker’s projection earlier this year and does not include $492 million in new revenue expected to be raised in the governor’s budget. 

Also, United Airlines has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit brought by American Airlines against the City of Chicago over a new allocation of gates at O’Hare Airport. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Business reporter Steve Alexander chats with John about Warren Buffett announcing he will be stepping down and the impact he’s had on the economy.

Segment 2: Emily Stewart, Senior Correspondent, Business Insider, tells John how wealthy people are single-handedly warding off a recession.

Segment 3: Phillip Shaw, CFP, Senior Advisor, Goldstone Financial Group, joins John to talk about President Trump’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, investors looking for more clarity on Trump’s economic plans, the general uncertainty about tariffs, if we may see more market volatility in the future, if he was surprised by the GDP decline, and what we are likely to hear from Fed Chair Jerome Powell when the Fed meeting concludes tomorrow.

Steve Grzanich has the business news of the day with the Wintrust Business Minute.

Electric vehicle maker Rivian is expanding its footprint in Illinois. The company will add a supplier park to its factory in downstate Normal that could create 100 jobs. Its manufacturing facility already employs about 8,000 people. Rivian will invest about $120 million into the project. The State of Illinois says it’ll attract suppliers from around the world to invest in Illinois and could create even more jobs. The supplier park will cover nearly 1.2 million square feet. Rivian will bring in suppliers that make parts for its vehicles.

Also, the for-sale sign is up at Golf Mill Shopping Center in Niles. Listen for more below:

Segment 1: Ilyce Glink, owner of Think Glink Media and Best Money Moves, joins John Williams to talk about what we should know about Trump’s proposed budget, why first-time home buyers are coming back, the surprisingly good jobs report on Friday, and President Trump’s plan to reopen Alcatraz.

Segment 2: Jim Dallke, Director of Communications, TechNexus Venture Collaborative, tells John about the amount of tech jobs in Chicago, a fast growing Chicago snack startup that makes meat sticks launching a new warehouse, a Chicago startup that uses augmented reality to help spine surgeons hitting a major milestone, and Chicago based Portal Innovations is expanding across the pond as it looks to support more biotech startups 

Segment 3: Michael Larson, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Schaumburg Boomers, tells John about all the great things the Boomers have planned for the upcoming season!

Segments 1 & 2: Jane Oates, Senior Policy Advisor and recent President at WorkingNation, joins John Williams to talk about the new April jobs report. Jane also touches on manufacturing and its future in America.

Segment 3: Reid Sawyer, Head of the Emerging Risk Group at Marsh McLennan, talks with John about risk management and how clients can price risk to make the best decisions possible. Reid also explains how risk is calculated for particular situations.

Segment 4: Kara Demirjian Huss, Senior Vice President at TCCI Manufacturing, chats with John about AI in the transportation industry and how it impacts manufacturing. Kara then details the effect that tariffs can have on manufacturing.