Remember the towing controversy at the McHenry County Board level, here’s a new view set right on the northwest side of Crystal Lake near the intersection of Routes 14 and 176.
The Day Tradition Died
By Peg McHugh
Opening Scene:
Date: Friday, November 6, 2009…a beautiful and surprisingly mild November afternoon around 1:00 pm
Place: Flowerwood’s East Parking Lot, Crystal Lake, IL
It was that time of year.
From a young married girl to a Grandmother, Flowerwood flooded my mind with strong and sweet memories.
For the past 38 years, I have filled my yard with their landscaping specimens, patio furniture and decorated many of their Christmas trees with their ornaments.
And nothing was more poignant than the two gingerbread men ornaments I bought last year for my grandchildren at …Flowerwood.
Friday, November 6, 2009….the day tradition died …fade to black.
Scene II:
After a Friday meeting, I ran some errands and eagerly anticipated my stop at…Flowerwood.
As I came through door, two employees were decorating Christmas trees and chatting with one another. I did some browsing but nothing caught my eye.
No problem.
I knew this was just my first visit of the holiday season, so I left the store.
Pulling out of the parking space, I needed to use a restroom and wanted something to drink.
So, I drove across Flowerwood’s parking lot and parked on the east end of the lot and walked the 50 ft. into the McDonalds.
A few minutes later, I came out and looked toward my car.
I blinked.
Then I blinked again.
My car was gone!!
Bewildered, I stood wondering how my car could have just vanished!
I headed toward the Flowerwood entrance, and as I did so, I saw a sign on the opposite end of the lot warning that non patrons of Flowerwood would have their vehicle towed away.
I did not see the sign when I pulled in. However, I did see a hunk of sheet metal face down on the grass where I had parked. (Turns out that hunk of sheet metal was the OTHER warning sign which had fallen off its post.)
So there I was…a milk shake in one hand, car keys in the other with no wheels to leave.
Scenes III and IV tomorrow.
Sounds like you have a cause for legal action against Flowerwood. The tow truck must have been already there and waiting to pounce. A customer of a business doesn’t have to purchase on every visit. I suggest that Flowerwood needs to pay the tow and storage, reimburse you for other expense and a very generous gift for your embarrassment and inconvenience. And, if they don’t, keep in mind that there was a man who parked across the street from Viking Dodge for over two years. His protest was very effective and very expensive for Viking Dodge.
When you walk off their property they can tow your car. If you’re going to McDonald’s, park at McDonald’s.
Hmmm. I was going to Flowerwood to but a bunch of Christmas items as I do every year. Now after looking online for the store hours I found this Story. I am appauled and I will not be spending a dime to Flowerwood. If it wasn’t for the McDonalds they would not be getting half of the traffic through the store that they do- so you learn to take the good with the bad. The policy of twoing the cars away is a bad one and I will not be shopping at Flowerwood Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall. It could have been me grabbing a quick coffee after shopping I mean my Lord. This is not Downtown Chicago. People live in the Far Suburbs to get away from this kind of mentality- Tell Flowerwood to pack up and move out they have to much of a Big town attitude for this Small town. I do not even know this woman but have lived in this town 45 years and Flowerwood needs to get out of town. We pay higher prices for the friendly small town atmosphere- Get it? Apparantly NOT!!!