Our Story
Chef Andrea grew up in LaGrange Park and has always dreamed of opening a restaurant in her hometown.
After graduating from Columbia College Chicago and working in marketing for several years she decided to follow her heart and attend culinary school. Andrea graduated from Kendall College and proceeded to work at some of the most interesting restaurants in the Chicago area, including Lula Cafe, Eataly, and Found Kitchen and Social House. Most recently she worked as a regional corporate chef for a large food distribution company.
Though formally educated at Kendall College, Chef Andrea has been cooking with her parents since she was a small child. She is influenced by her father's Eastern European background and the many types of cuisine you are able to eat in Chicago! Her experience ranges from comfort food to casual fine dining.
During her time working and learning Andrea was able to really focus on the type of restaurant she wanted to open; Happier Now Cafe and Market was born.
Donna was born in Philadelphia and grew up in Princeton, New Jersey. She moved to Illinois with her husband in the late 1970’s and has been a resident of LaGrange Park for over 40 years.
Over the course of her career Donna worked at Princeton University, Forsgate Country Club, and Real Estate Education Publishing. She received her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Benedictine University while working at BorgWarner Automotive. After working there for 22 years Donna retired as a Payroll Specialist.
Donna is the proud mother of Andrea and Daniel and grandmother to Emma and Reilly.
She also has a dog child named Rigby who is her actual favorite.
