A post-COVID trend of business growth — a net of 1,744 business licenses were issued or renewed by the city of Waukegan since the start of 2022 — continues in the city with the addition of 20 new enterprises in the second quarter of this year.

The new businesses include a gourmet restaurant with a Mexican flair whose owners seek a Michelin star, a smaller eatery where an individual pork taco costs $3.50 and a downtown barber shop where appointments are taken but not required.

Kenneth Crump, the owner of I’ll Cut U! barber shop on Genesee Street in downtown Waukegan and a city native, cut the ribbon for his new location on July 1. On a recent afternoon, he finished styling a head with intricate braids before giving a traditional military haircut.

With several people visiting while waitin

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