Business & Tech

Fireplace Shop Cozies Up to the Community

A Cozy Fireplace came to New Lenox when the housing market was doing well. Despite the economic downturn, the local business has adapted to fit local needs.

New Lenox experienced a housing boom at the turn of the millenium, and for many buyers that meant installing new appliances and building up their dream home.

That's where A Cozy Fireplace came in. At the time, the nearest location was in Orland Park, but owner Greg Hopkins said there was such a demand for his business here that it made sense to make a move.

"More and more of our customers were coming from New Lenox," Hopkins said. "They'd say 'drive south to Route 30 and hang a right.' We did that for two years before we decided to move where our customers were."

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Hopkins, of Plainfield, opened the New Lenox store in 2005 after 10 years of operating other locations, including Crest Hill, Dolton, and .

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But since the housing market crashed, business has been different. There are fewer new homes, and that means fewer people are buying new fireplace fixtures.

That hasn't necessarily meant less business, though. It's just something to adapt to.

"Things have definitely slowed down," he said. "But people are remodeling a lot more now because they can't move. They're stuck in their home."

For Hopkins, that means more regular maintenance calls to make sure everything is working well with the fireplaces they installed for new homeowners here.

Before opening is own business in 1995, Hopkins worked in with related companies and now helps guide customers through want they want and what will work in their home. He prides himself on customer service as an independently owned business.

"The biggest difference is that a lot of times you can get me out to your home," he said.

Besides fireplaces, the store also sells grills and grilling accessories. A Cozy Fireplace also holds various events, such as grilling demos that feature manufacturer representatives.

"I grill all year long," he said. "It's hard to go wrong with steak."


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