PROGRESS2025 PROGRESS 2025
ShawLocal.com | Saturday, March 29, 2025
THIS WEEK’S WINNERS HOSPITALITY
Deer Ridge Barn Wedding & Events Award sponsored by George Ryan Jr. Insurance Inc. See page 1
EDUCATION
St. Anne School District 24 Award sponsored by Kankakee Community College See page 3
REAL ESTATE Bill Jurevich for Shaw Local News Network
Deer Ridge Barn Wedding & Events owners (from left) Michael Blum, Marci Sadler and Ken Lundquist pose for a photo. The venue sits on 10 wooded acres in Limestone.
Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority Award sponsored by First Trust Bank of Illinois See page 5
‘Flipped’ to farm fabulous Rustic charm meets success at Limestone’s Deer Ridge Barn By LEE PROVOST lprovost@shawmedia.com
HEALTHCARE
M
arci Sadler and Ken Lundquist are real estate developers.
They do not hide that fact. They
do not possess any magical vision. They see what everyone sees. Riverside Healthcare Award sponsored by Nucor Steel See page 7
SOCIAL SERVICES
Fortitude Community Outreach Award sponsored by Oak Orthopedics See page 9
However, they have the ability to take a deeper, more introspective look. In the case of the Deer Ridge Barn Wedding & Events property, at least Sadler had the ability. After purchasing a mostly abandoned 2,500-square-foot, two-story, four-bedroom farmhouse along West 1500N Road in Limestone on a blind bid of $175,777, along with its 10 acres, as a property flip, Sadler began to imagine “what if?” For those wondering, the $777 part of the bid was Lundquist’s idea. It was a nod to good luck. The question kept swirling in Sadler’s always-busy mind. She couldn’t let the idea go. After percolating on the idea, she approached Lundquist and their Deer Ridge business partner, Mike Blum, of Limestone, with her concept. They looked at each other. They agreed. The wheels were set in motion. The two men conceded that Sadler is the “idea” person. She can see things they pass over.
EXCELLENCE IN HOSPITALITY SPONSORED BY
quaint, wooden location. The group sometimes feels they need to pinch themselves at the success and the rave reviews they are experiencing. But it comes about through hard work and dedication. They leave no stone unturned when guests arrive. The site was initially used as a seasonal site as accommodations didn’t allow for yearround events. The main banquet room is now heated. Lundquist said the to-do list includes adding air conditioning. That upgrade will most likely take place sometime in 2025. “If you had asked me five years ago if this was something I would be involved with, I would have said absolutely not,” Lundquist said.
Labor of love
The plan to simply “flip” the abandoned farmhouse was scrapped. They were going to take on the entire property. The plan was to transform it into an event property the area had not yet seen. The mission has been accomplished. The location has caught on. “When I walked into this barn,” Sadler said, “I just saw the character and the uniqueness. I thought ‘People will come here. I wanted to save this.’” The question, of course, was could this work? The answer is yes. In 2024, Deer Ridge hosted 42 events. Thus far in 2025, 70 events are scheduled in the
But his mindset has all changed. “I love this business. I’m very passionate,” he said. There are many things on that to-do list. He said it seems like when one item is checked off, another one or two are added. “We are always looking at improvements. We see the value here. It’s a labor of love here.” Site rentals are basically on an 80-20 local versus out-of-town basis, Sadler said. She noted some events have been booked by groups from Tinley Park, Frankfort, Chicago, Iowa and Kentucky. Since purchasing the site in November 2020, the trio has been busy. The group hosts weddings, family reunions,
See DEER RIDGE BARN, page 2