Business & Tech
'Top Driver' School to Open in Crystal Lake at Terra Cotta Corners
Top Driver Driving School moving into Crystal Lake; will accommodate students left stranded when Northwest Suburban Driving School closed unexpectedly.
A new drivers education school plans to locate within Crystal Lake, and is looking to offer classes to those students left stranded when Northwest Suburban Drivers School closed earlier this month without warning.
Terra Cotta Corners retail center confirmed Top Driver Driving School is moving in as its newest tenant. The retail center is located at 650 E. Terra Cotta at the corner of Route 176 and Pingree Road.
“Top Driver is thrilled to step in and offer driving classes after Northwest Suburban Driving School closed its doors," said Paul Zalatoris, CEO of the Northbrook-based business.
"The location on Route 176 is convenient for students from the four District 155 high schools and Faith Lutheran High School."
Top Driver is Chicagoland’s largest driving school with 30 locations in the Chicago area and 40 additional schools in Michigan and Ohio. Modifications to the 748-square-foot space include large, flat screen video monitors and interactive display boards for engaging, multi-media teaching, according to a news release.
Most Top Driver students attend 30 hours of classroom instruction plus in-vehicle training. Students formerly enrolled in the Northwest Suburban Driving School can contact Top Driver at 800-374-8373 or www.topdriver.com about resuming or beginning new classes at its Crystal Lake location.
The Northwest Suburban Driving School closed its downtown Crystal Lake school at 101 N Main St., as well as schools in Algonquin, 1411 Commerce Dr., Algonquin, and McHenry, 1249 Green St. around Sept. 5.
Students and parents were left stranded. Some had completed courses, but hadn't received their certificate of completion. Others had paid, but had not finished the course.
The Secretary of State's Commercial Driver Training Section is working with parents and students on the matter. Those impacted should call 847-981-7455 to file a claim if they paid the full $400 cost of the driving course and are seeking reimbursement for an unused portion of the course.
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Top Driver joins Cornerstone National Bank, AlphaGraphics, Four Seasons Cleaners, Twee’s Nails, Salon 334 and Kidney Cares at the Crystal Lake retail center.
Terra Cotta Corners is a 16,000-square-foot retail center with a mix of tenants ranging from banking, printing and health care to beauty service providers.
Correction: This is the correct phone number for Top Driver Driving School 800-374-8373
Source: Terra Cotta Corners Retal Center
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