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Business & Tech

Wild Birds Unlimited A Local Sanctuary For Area Bird Lovers

Bill and Denise Allaway have run a local bird store for almost 20 years and our happy to share their ornithological prowess and Wild Bird Unlimited merchandise.

The Palos-area has no shortage of forest preserves, lakes and protected areas, and while the natural surroundings create a wonderful home for an abundance of wildlife, in Palos Park can help turn your own backyard into a a resort for feathered guests.

Bill and Denise Allaway have been in charge of the Palos Park location since 1994 and with the Wild Birds Unlimited franchise since 1992 – ever since a bad day at work.

“We were customers and came in [to the Palos Park location, opened in 1989] and looking around,” said Denise. “I'd had a stressful day at work and just said to Bill, 'this is really nice, it would be nice to own a place like this.'”

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The couple went and met the company's president in Indiana shortly there after and decided they wanted to move forward. Denise left the marketing industry and Bill the butcher business, and the couple opened a Joliet shop in in 1992.

However, they were still fans of the Palos Park location as they lived a short distance away in Homer Glen. When the location became available two years later, they took over ownership, running both locations for 17 years until recently deciding to focus their attention on Palos Park.

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“It's more relaxing than owning two shops and we still love it,” said Denise.

She said they have loved being a part of the Wild Birds Unlimited family. They are one of 13 stores statewide and 287 across the nation, of which Denise said all the separate owners share ideas and help one another when possible.

Bill also said that the company is good about letting owners personalize their stores. Many locations are just bird hobby stores, while the Homer Glen couple also carries many gifts such as shirts, glasses and crafts.

“It's our customers who tell us what to carry,” said Bill, adding that all of the bird specific products they carry are only available at WBU stores.

The couple offers not only an outlet for wild bird merchandise, but also years of expertise as they – and all of their part-time employees who help run the shop – are wild bird enthusiasts.

If you're just seeing sparrows and an occasional cardinal in your backyard, Denise can help get you the right incentives for many of other local birds.

“We have hummingbird feeders with nectar and also grape jelly and orange feeders for the attracting orioles,” said Denise.

As for changes in the business, Bill said they've seen a surprising turn toward feeders made from recycled materials that are almost maintenance-free and better for the environment.

“We were really surprised at how will they've sold,” said Denise. “We started carrying them but didn't really believe wood houses would be replaced – but they are being out sold.”

The store also has special feeders to keep out many of the more sneaky backyard critters that can ransack a bird feeder in a day. The contraptions do not hurt squirrels or raccoons, but keep them from pillaging the seed purchased for birds. One design has a spring on it that leaves feeding holes exposed for birds, but that slide down and are covered by the weight of a squirrel.

“[The squirrels] will try for a while but eventually they'll give up and stop trying,” said Denise.

You can find Bill and Denise behind the counter Tuesday through Saturday, as they said they like to be there at the busiest times, but the store is open seven days a week. They also operate a website for the store.

As for the future, the couple said they intend to provide helps to the area's lovely birds and local bird lovers for the foreseeable future.

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