Shabbona & Waterman, Illinois
Small towns. Big ideas. Open doors.
I’m Kallan Welsh — hotelier, shopkeeper, fixer of things, real estate broker, and stubborn believer in Main Street. Here’s everything I’ve got my hands in, and how to get yours in too.
What I believe
Main Street is built one bold little business at a time
I hold a stubborn conviction: when small-scale entrepreneurs are actually allowed to operate — not buried in red tape, not priced out, not told to wait their turn — they do more for a community than any program, grant, or glossy development plan ever could.
A barber who knows your kid’s name. A coffee counter where the farmers and the commuters swap the morning news. A handyman who answers on the second ring. A historic hotel that gets a second act instead of a wrecking ball. These aren’t just businesses — they’re the load-bearing walls of a town.
Give a neighbor room to try something, and the whole block gets a little brighter. That’s the work I want to be part of.
What I’m up to
Ventures, storefronts & side quests
Some are mine, some I help steer, all of them call northern Illinois home.
Shabbona
The Historic Shabbona Hotel
A grand old landmark on West Comanche Avenue, getting the second act she deserves. Historic bones, fresh purpose — and home base for several of the businesses on this page.
Inside the hotel
Cuttin’ Loose Barber Shop
Fresh cuts for ladies and gents of all ages, right inside the hotel building. Sharp scissors, friendly chair, small-town prices. Call (815) 582-2009 for an appointment.
Inside the hotel
Muskie Meeting Room
A private room you can rent by the hour — for the client meeting, the deep-focus work session, or the game night that runs long. Projector, Xbox, foosball, whiteboard, and a door code texted straight to your phone.
Coming soon to Waterman
Off The Railz
Coffee when the sun comes up, ice cream when the afternoon heats up, and a full bar and kitchen when the day is done. A place to jump the tracks of an ordinary day. Website coming soon at goofftherailz.com — call (815) 317-1758.
Computer services
Welsh Systems
Computers acting up? Electronics on the fritz? Welsh Systems handles repair, maintenance, and the general taming of technology for homes and small businesses — explained in plain English.
Handyman services
Busy Beaver Handyman
Drywall, paint, flooring, tile, landscaping, repairs, renovations and commercial property upkeep across Kane, DuPage, Kendall and DeKalb counties. Free quotes. If it’s on your to-do list, it’s probably on ours.
Real estate
Kallan Welsh, Broker — Up Realty
Licensed Illinois real estate broker with Up Realty, 104 W Comanche Ave in Shabbona. Homes, storefronts, mixed-use buildings and investment property. I own and operate income properties myself, so I speak landlord as fluently as I speak buyer.
Friends & partners
Good neighbors worth a visit
Partner business · Shabbona
Shabbona Treasures
Thrift, gift & consignment at 210 W Comanche Ave — vintage collectibles, locally made goods, and secondhand finds, plus 3D printing, laser engraving and key cutting. The shelves change every day, so the treasure hunt never ends.
Got something brewing?
Need a service? Have real estate or a business to buy or sell? Know of a local investment opportunity or a small business that deserves a champion? I want to hear about it.