HR0425 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0425 LRB100 12802 MST 26410 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives wish to congratulate Joann Lindholm on the occasion of her retirement as the proprietor of Fresh Starts; and

WHEREAS, Joann Lindholm opened up Fresh Starts in 1986 in historic downtown Flossmoor, where she worked day and night, establishing a wholesale and retail bakery, a gourmet food store, and a catering operation; and

WHEREAS, Fresh Starts became Joann Lindholm's passion along with her husband, Dale Lindholm, and son, Erik Lindholm, who were always willing to help whenever needed; as patrons wanted more services, they changed from a gourmet food store to a full service restaurant; and

WHEREAS, Fresh Starts is a small, intimate restaurant which seats up to 60 people for lunch or dinner; Joann Lindholm maintained the full-service, off-premise catering operation which was known for featuring enticing, unusual food; in 2009, Fresh Starts began to offer local farm-grown items, one of the first south suburban restaurants featuring the "farm to table" freshness and sustainability concept; and

WHEREAS, Fresh Starts has garnered numerous awards for its fabulous recipes; the restaurant has received rave reviews in the Chicago Tribune, the Star Newspaper, the Daily Southtown, Chicago Magazine, and the Sun Times; it was featured on the nationally syndicated PBS program, "Check, Please"; and

WHEREAS, Joann Lindholm has been the sole owner of Fresh Starts for almost 20 years and has dedicated her life to its customers, quality products, and dedicated staff who are very much her "family"; Fresh Starts will be acquired by two of her longtime employees who will keep the great dining experience going; and

WHEREAS, The drive and determination of Joanne Lindholm and her husband have turned a small restaurant into an iconic Flossmoor institution that has been recognized throughout the region as a wonderful dining experience; both they and the restaurant have been important fixtures in the Southland region and are recognized and thanked by many who consider them community treasures; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Joann Lindholm on her retirement as the proprietor of Fresh Starts and we wish her the best in all her future endeavors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Joann Lindholm as an expression of our esteem and respect.