The Insider: 12.04.13

Glik Stores has been named Illinois Business of the Year in the “large family business” category by the Family Business Center at Loyola University. The group of family owned stores was cited by the university for its socially conscious, sustainable philosophy, innovative business strategies and personal service. The Glik’s chain, which started out of a horse-drawn wagon in 1897, now spans 61 locations in nine states. St. Louisans Bob, Jim, Joe, Judy and Jeff Glik accepted the award at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago. “It only took us 116 years to win!” says Judy Glik, who lives in Clayton.

St. Louisans can see what Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, Sofia Vergara and other celebs have been raving about Dec. 13 and 14, when designer Sherry Nikka brings her trunk show to Lusso. The event is sponsored by Town & Style. Nikka, who trained in France with the artisan who creates leather goods for Chanel, Karl Lagerfeld and Chloe, is known for her luxurious, hand-stitched leather coats, boots, handbags and accessories. While in town, Nikka will spend time with her son, Allen, a student at Washington University.

Stark Sands, a star of the Tony Award-winning musical Kinky Boots, happily posed with St. Louisan Marcia Harris (of Dielmann Sotheby’s International Realty) and her NYC pal, Marion Rich, after a recent performance. “A lot of people asked him for a picture, but we got lucky,” Harris recalls. The show was every bit as fabulous as the rave reviews claim, she adds.

The St. Louis Christmas Carols Association, now in its 102nd year, invites everyone to carol for a cause. Form a group of carolers and pick a date and location, and the association will provide song sheets and collection cans. Contributions benefit more than 40 children’s agencies throughout the metro area. For more information, visit stlchristmascarols.org.

Artist Beniamin Mkrtychyan, who resides at Crown Center for Senior Living with wife Elmira, was featured recently in LeadingAge Magazine. Mkrtychyan, 91, has written a book in Russian about his courageous past as a concentration camp survivor and a resistance fighter in France. “Mr. Mkrtychyan speaks very little English, but often shares his beautiful artwork with us,” says staffer Randi Schenberg.

St. Louis County Library is one of 11 libraries of its size nationwide designated a ‘star library’ by the Library Journal, a publication that covers the latest developments in libraries and library science. It was chosen based on number of visitors, circulation, program attendance and public Internet computer use.

Pictured: Sherry Nikka and son Allen