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Lake Forest Taxi readies new office
Marta Zoltowska Next to her car at the Metra train station on Western Avenue in Lake Forest. | Michael Schmidt~Sun-Times Media
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Business: Lake Forest Taxi
Where; Downtown Metra Station, Lake Forest
Office hours: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. (services available 24 hours)
More information: (847) 505-0301; www.lftaxi.com
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Updated: September 18, 2012 9:38AM
LAKE FOREST — After almost nine months in business, Lake Forest Taxi plans to move into the city’s downtown Metra station by the end of the month.
The fledgling business, started by a couple from Island Lake, has picked up enough momentum to finally move into the city that bears its name, said manager Marta Zoltowska, who owns the business with her husband, Peter Soltysiak.
“We are getting more and more orders,” Zoltowska said. “It’s spreading by word of mouth. When customers say they had a good experience, that’s what I want to hear.”
Starting a new business has not been easy, especially because there are other more established competitors like American Taxi and 303 Taxi, she said. In fact, when her husband suggested it, she was wary of the idea, she said, but now business is looking up.
The pair started the taxi service in January after Soltysiak decided to go into business for himself, having worked for another local taxi company. Because he had many clients in Lake Forest, he focused on the city. He was able to take some clients with him, too, she said.
Lake Forest resident Jeff Silvers began using Lake Forest Taxi about six months ago after a friend suggested he give the new business a try. He added that Lake Forest Taxi provides electronic receipts, making it easier for him to manage his receipts that he has to turn into his employer.
“They are exceptionally reliable,” said Silvers, who uses taxis to and from O’Hare International Airpot for business. “The taxis are also spotless.”
Zoltowska said the business started out with two new cars and now it has six automobiles – one Lincoln Town Car, three minivans and two sedans. She has four drivers and is looking for a fifth.
As far as amenities are concerned, water and chocolates are available as a thank you to customers, she said. Free Wi-Fi also is available, she said.
A trip to O’Hare from Lake Forest is a flat fee of $44 and from Lake Bluff, it’s $46, she said. Customers aren’t charged surcharges, taxes or toll costs, she said.
Scheduling a trip to O’Hare should be made in the mornings if customers want to be picked up in the evenings. For local trips, customers should expect a wait of between 35 and 40 minutes before pick up, she said.
