Family businesses often operate in plain sight, tucked into familiar storefronts, parked at local events or passed down through generations. In fact, many Grant Community High School students may not even realize that their peers sitting in class are helping run them. While each of these businesses differs in structure and purpose, they share a common thread: family. Here’s a look into the lives of students who balance homework with hands-on roles in some of your favorite Fox Lake businesses.
For senior Vic Lin, that experience comes from behind the counter at JV Seafood and Sushi. As an assistant manager and on board, Lin trains new employees, teaching them how to take phone and takeout orders, follow service procedures and interact with customers. The restaurant is owned by Lin’s parents, who immigrated from China and started the business after facing limited opportunities for higher-level jobs due to educational barriers. Opening their own restaurant allowed the family to work together while building stability in a new country. It also gave their children early exposure to the workforce. Although Lin does not plan to stay in the role long term, he said the experience has shaped his future goals. He hopes to eventually own a restaurant, using the management skills he is developing now to move beyond working on the floor.
Junior Jeffrey Miller shares a similar connection to family tradition through Dog n’ Suds, an iconic drive-in restaurant that has been part of the community since 1967. Originally built by his great-grandparents, the business has remained in the family for generations. “We use car hops and intercoms, so it’s a lot more personal than drive-thrus, where you’re just talking into a microphone,” Miller said. The beloved local joint maintains its 1950s-style service, offering customers the option to eat in their cars or at picnic tables. For Miller’s family, the business is not only about serving food but also about honoring the work of previous generations. One long-term goal, Miller said, is to repay his grandfather for the effort he has invested in the restaurant. At its core, however, the mission is simple. “We want to make everybody happy,” Miller said, “That’s the goal of every business. Make people happy and have people enjoy their time there.”
For sophomore Calvin Ramirez, family business looks a little different. His family runs Healthy Fit Fam Nutrition, a protein and wellness drink company focused on vitamins B6 and B12. Rather than operating out of a storefront, the business primarily appears at events, where the family sets up stands to promote their products. Ramirez said one of the biggest challenges is balancing family schedules with business demands. “Coordinating our family’s schedules makes it harder to host and attend events,” Ramirez said. The idea for the business came from within the family itself. With several athletes in the household, Ramirez said his mother wanted to create a healthier alternative to traditional energy drinks, leading to the launch of their brand. The family hopes to eventually expand enough to open a dedicated storefront.
