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MatchMaker details inside on page 20
Proviso Township Second Pass Assessment Inside
F O R E S T PA R K
ForestParkReview.com Vol. 108, No. 45
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REVIEW
BEST SSMALL WEEKLY WEE NEWSPAPER NEWS ILLINOIS IN ILL
NOVEMBER 12, 2025
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What now, Brown Cow?
H U M A N S O F F O R E S T P A R K
Two Oak Park couples, with deep food connections, buy Forest Park shop
Gio’s motto: ‘You’re never too old’
By RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR Eats Reporter
When the word went out that Connie Brown was looking to sell her beloved Brown Cow Ice Cream shop and creamery at 7347 Madison St. in Forest Park, two Oak Park couples with deep ties to the local restaurant industry stepped up. Nick Stewart and Gustavo de Fraga met in the kitchen at Marion Street Cheese Market (that spot is now Victory Italian). The two became best friends. Fast forward, Stewart helped to open One Lake Brewing as their chef. Then he met, fell in love with and married Sarah Stewart who, among her other restaurant management experiences, helped open Candycopia. All along, it’s been a love affair with local food. “I don’t think I realized how much ice cream affected my life until this went for sale,” Sarah Stewart said. “We have pictures of my daughter and I sitting in
Amy Binns-Calvey meets, greets and listens to Forest Parkers (Spotted at Kribi Coffee on Madison Street) How long have you lived in Forest Park? Going on five years. What brought you to Forest Park? The community – it’s welcoming. It’s a small-town feeling in a big city.
RISÉ SANDERS-WEIR
See BROWN COW on page 8
Pumpkin smash
Two of Brown Cow’s new owners, Gustavo de Fraga and Sarah Stewart.
AMY What was the strangest job you’ve ever had? BINNS-CALVEY See HUMANS on page 9
Classified . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
A look back in time: Col. Brinkerhoff ’s remarkable service
Alan Brouilette: Forest Park faces the end of days
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
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IN Crime . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 THIS ISSUE Opinion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15